If your tenants are responsible for their own utilities and they don't pay their bills, who is responsible? Should I let the gas company shut their heat? It is a 3 family house and each unit has seperate meters.
thanks in advance for your help.
2007-01-13 10:06:32 · 8 answers · asked by Ellie 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
You should have the tenant put the utility in their own name. If they don't pay then it is shut off and has nothing to do with you. I would recommend putting in all your leases that it is a breach of contract to allow any utility to be shut off or to not turn on a utility at the beginning of a lease. Some utility companies will require you to get a permit or an inspection or both to get utilities turned back on if they are shut off for more than 6 months. This will cost you money. Address the problem immediately. If they stop paying utilities they will stop paying rent very soon.
Michael
2007-01-13 10:18:55 · answer #1 · answered by Bestbank Real Estate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are specific laws for your locale, but the basic issues are these: It would be kind of you to pay the bill, but if you do, you are nearly certain to never see the money again. Some places allow you to begin eviction proceedings against tenants who don't pay for their utilities, or for whom the utilities are shut off. And, some places require the property owner to pay outstanding utility bills if a tenant does not. If it is cold where you live, will you be creating a hardship for your tenants? How much money is involved? You need to research the answers to these questions, weigh all these things, then make a decision that does not create an undue hardship for you or your tenants, keeping in mind that you are entitled to your rental income.
2007-01-13 18:18:07 · answer #2 · answered by chuck 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would be between the gas company and your client. You have no contractual obligation whatsoever. The business transaction in this case is between your tenant and the gas company. The only way you could be involved is if you are paying the gas company and then the client is paying you. The gas company has the right to shut off the heat and you do not really have any say in the matter. If you did interfere in some way you would have no legal grounds to do so.
2007-01-13 18:15:08 · answer #3 · answered by Canadian Time Traveler 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is the heating bill in the tenant name or yours? If bills in the tenant's name then it's their responsible to pay the bill. If the tenant doesn't pay then their heat will be shut off so hopefully they don't live up north. I hope they are paying their rent for you or kick their butts to the curb!!!
2007-01-13 21:59:43 · answer #4 · answered by CEESONE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the heating bill in the tenant name or yours? If bills in the tenant's name then it's their responsible to pay the bill. If the tenant doesn't pay then their heat will be shut off so hopefully they don't live up north. I hope they are paying their rent for you or kick their butts to the curb!!!
2007-01-13 18:17:56 · answer #5 · answered by Carson's Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you concerned?. If they have separate meters each family is responsible for their own heat, water and lights. They have to tell the utilities when to turn them on/off and their name is on the utility bills themselves.
What you responsibility as the land lord is to insure that no safety hazards exist in the units as a result of their heating bill not being paid.
2007-01-13 18:41:42 · answer #6 · answered by Skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have separate meters and are responsible for the bills, having turned the utility on in their names, then they are both liable and responsible for paying the costs. Watching children get cold is not something I would like to do, but I wouldn't pay the bill for deadbeats.
2007-01-13 18:15:50 · answer #7 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In new york state..the tenant is responsible for there cost..when they move out,it carries with them..
2007-01-13 19:01:05 · answer #8 · answered by studalicious 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋