roommate bills

I'm not sure this belongs in this section but maybe someone can help anyway. My roommates moved out and say they are not going to pay this months electric bill I was hoping this section in the lease might give me some power in that area. The electric bill is in only my name.

"Tenant shall pay for all gas and electric service consumed on the premises during the term hereof and be responsible for any deposits and for the turning on and turning off of these utilities upon the commencement and termination of this lease. Lessor shall pay for all water of said property. Tenant shall replace the filter for the air conditioner/heater every sixty days during the term of this lease."

I'm not sure if this gives me any actual leverage or not but it would be nice to have someones opinion who maybe knows something.

If your roommates were responsible to pay half of the utilities and the rent, and they moved out either without giving proper notice, or moved out breaking their lease, you can sue them in small claims court for any monies they owe.

he asked someone at the landlord's office they said he wouldn't have to pay the electric bill for the coming month, but it was probably the desk assistant so i dunno if she knows crap. Does the bit from the lease sound pretty solid?

Are your roommates on the lease? What kind of agreement did you have with them concerning the rent and utilities (who pays for what?)? Do you have any proof that they paid for these thinks in the past. This has little to do with the lease agreement with your LL. IT has to do with the agreement you had between all of the people living in the unit. IF the RM was on the lease, they are also responsible for the costs and you can sue him for the money. If you can prove he has paid it in the past, you can also sue. IF he wasn't on the lease, you have no proof he ever paid these before, and he gave proper notice to vacate, you may be unable to recover these costs.