My tenant has turned the gas & electric utility off on themselves and are still living in the property. My concern is that the property will become damaged (pipes freezing) and it is not safe. What should I do? I am currently in the process of their eviction but in the meantime if I have the utilities turned on in my name I will incur the cost. Help....
2007-01-12 01:53:21 · 7 answers · asked by j0nycash 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
It is better to have the heat on and avoid freezing the pipes. Freezing and burst pipes can cause a temendous amount of property damage and might make the property unrentable for months while repairs are being made. To top it off, your insurance company might claim that since you knew the heat was not on and allowed it to remain off that they are not liable to pay a claim caused by your willful negligence. If you have people living in the property with no gas and electric I question the quality of both the tenants and the property. Normal people do not do things like this.
This also becomes a health and safety issue. File a complaint with any local agency responsible for overseeing heating in rental properties.
You had better do whatever you have to do to get the heat back on to protect your property, that's the number one concern. Add any expense to your complaint against the tenants.
2007-01-12 02:00:35 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say to atleast turn the gas on in your name (granted the furnace is gas) to keep the pipes from freezing. But even then, what assurances do you have that they will use the heat to keep the home warm enough to keep the pipes from freezing? If a pipe breaks, and the tenent does not shut the water off at the main, you could actually incur a greater charge on your water bill and repairs due to water damage. I am not sure if this is legal but see if you can't have the water turned off as well. This would avoid the frozen pipe issue. Perhaps bring up your issues with the Housing Authority in the city where the rental property is to see if the tenent's actions would deem the home unlivable. Perhaps then you could have them forcibly removed prior to the eviction notice being finalized. Do you have an attorney working on your behalf to file the paperwork for the eviction? If so, ask them what your rights are in this case. If you don't have an attorney, you may want to pony up for one considering they may still be cheaper than what you would have to pay in water damage repairs. Either way, it looks like you are going to have to incur some costs here to ensure that your property does not become damaged through malice or negligence on your tenets part.
2007-01-12 10:04:52 · answer #2 · answered by Scottee25 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this happen once. I am a MI landlord of 12 yrs. Go directly to the city inspector, tell them what has happened, and ask them to condemn the property as inhabitable. This will get them out immediately! They will have 1 day to remove all their stuff. Then, change the locks, turn on the utilities, get it reinspected, and move someone else in. Most inspectors in the city will help you. If they have children, contact social services for child endangerment. Its cold here and I certainly wouldnt risk my property due to tenants misuse. I would care less if they got into trouble with social services. They are bum tenants.
2007-01-14 00:58:57 · answer #3 · answered by kimmamarie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have to eat the cost of the utilities in order to protect your property. If you let the pipes freeze, and get them evicted in a month or so, how much will it cost to repair the damage? It's probably cheaper to pay their heat and electric for a month or two, than to have a plumber replace pipes, the carpet guy tear up soggy nasty carpet and replace it, the drywall guy replace walls, etc, etc.
2007-01-12 10:02:16 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go back to the court. I think you can expedite the eviction process by saying they are living in squalor. Legally people cant live in your domicile if they have no utilities. As for pipes freezing? There's pipe heaters in home depot that will keep them over 40*. They plug into an electrical outlet. good luck!
2007-01-12 09:57:52 · answer #5 · answered by tweakk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Damned if you do dam ed if you don't. When you get them out sell the property. Screw the renting business.
2007-01-12 09:59:36 · answer #6 · answered by scallywag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your attorney.
2007-01-12 09:56:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋