Ok so I moved into my apartment and the gas was already turned on. The bill was in the old tenants name and not in the home owners name. A shut off notice showed up months ago, but it is still on and no bill or notice has showed up again. If the gas company catches this(which I'm sure they will) who will be held responsible? Me(the current tenant), the home owner, or the past tenant?
2007-08-16 04:50:15 · 11 answers · asked by connected95 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I don't feel I have ruined anyone's credit. I am not the one who didn't turn off the gas.
2007-08-16 05:01:11 · update #1
I called the gas company when I first moved in. I tried to switch the account into my name as a new tenant. They said I needed to come to the office with a letter from the homeowner of proff that I live there.
2007-08-16 05:04:03 · update #2
More than likely, they will reference back to when you moved in and from that time forward, is what you will have to pay. You'd better call again to make sure that it has been taken care of. -Good luck.
2007-08-22 18:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by †Evonne† 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the bill was in the old tenant's name, there was a shut off notice, and now the gas is still on with no bills going to you, it would appear that someone is receiving and paying the bill. My guess is, your landlord, who as legal owner of the building would be left holding the bag when a tenant moves out.
Are you sure that you aren't paying for utilities through your rent to your landlord? Pull out your rental agreement and read it.
BTW--this category is called law and "ethics". While you may not be held legally responsible for enjoying a billing mistake made by the gas company, it is unethical of you not to pay your own way. If utilities are not included in your rent, contact your landlord and get to the bottom of this. As for your excuse that you didn't switch it because you needed a letter--lame.
2007-08-21 21:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by raichasays 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Using logic....one would say that the day you moved into the apartment and starting using the service that you would be held responsible for the gas usage. I sort of believe that will be the logic the gas company will use when it comes after you for using their product. I am sure the gas company will eventually make contact with the home owner...who will then inform them that you are the new tenant and give them the date you moved into the apartment. You might want to short circuit all this and make contact with the gas company yourself.
2007-08-16 12:01:15 · answer #3 · answered by malter 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All of the above.
The gas company isn't going to argue about it, they're just going to shut off gas to that address until someone pays it.
Now, in court, the gas company will be able to hold the prior tenant liable, if they can find them, and if not, the owner can be held responsible since they didn't tell them that the person moved.
The owner or the prior tenant can hold you liable since you didn't get it put into your name.
Until the gas company gets paid, you're going to be the one with no heat.
2007-08-16 11:58:20 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Um you are, in your lease I bet there was a clause stating that you would take over the utilities that the property management did not cover.
You used the gas, how are you not responsible for it? It was your responsibility to put the account in your name. Now you have damaged the previous tenants credit. You can and should be held responsible for the payments, fines and punitive damages.
2007-08-16 11:55:54 · answer #5 · answered by smedrik 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the day you moved in, it is your bill you lived there and used the gas so your responsible. Prior to that the Gas Co. has their policy of applying previous charges to the prior tenants credit. You will have to prove your actual move in date and then that bill is all yours.
2007-08-24 11:47:32 · answer #6 · answered by rainydaze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your responsibility to notify the gas company when you begin renting. I would call them pronto. They will prorate according to date/usage and bill the past tenant or home owner for their share.
2007-08-16 11:58:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless your landlord provides gas in your lease, you do. I always look for apartments with water heat, it is more efficient and in most cases included in the lease.
2007-08-24 10:40:52 · answer #8 · answered by schneider2294@sbcglobal.net 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should talk to the gas company
2007-08-21 18:01:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU. What makes you think you get gas free?
2007-08-23 11:28:59 · answer #10 · answered by TURBOSC 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋