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Previous tenant did not pay water and gas and left.
Although they are not paid, the services are still available in the unit. Why wouldn't city stop the service? Would the new owner of the house have any responsibility on the unpaid water and gas bills? Should new owner do anything about it?
If the utilities were in the tenant's own name then their procedures rule and you should ask them. Unpaid utility bills billed to the tenant by the landlord are usually deducted from the departing tenant's security deposit. A little more information on the reason for asking would be helpful.
The bigger question is why didn't they notify the landlord (you?) when the tenant was in default.
Typically... they will have owner/landlord agreements.
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We bill the owner who then passes it to the tenant. If any unpaid balance is owed then the landlord is on the hook for it.
As to shutoffs, some states have regulations governing the shutoff of utilities during certain times of the year or dependent on the type/makeup of tenants.
water and sewer being a municipality can be quite complex in some states and towns. there are some real horror stories of liens filed by the water companies on the property even though it was the tenants bill.
i haven't seen it with electricity though just water and sewer..
Last edited by mathjak107; 09-15-2014 at 04:28 PM..
Utilities can be tricky, the laws and practices vary from region to region. The OP should to talk to the local utility company to find out what rules apply.
We bill the owner who then passes it to the tenant. If any unpaid balance is owed then the landlord is on the hook for it.
As to shutoffs, some states have regulations governing the shutoff of utilities during certain times of the year or dependent on the type/makeup of tenants.
Never keep the utilities in you name what is the landlord going to do when they get a bad tenants that turns the water on for the month it takes to evict them pay the 2000 dollar water bill.
Where I have my rental in Philadelphia, city own both gas and water service.
Tenants don't pay water, city can put lien on my property. Tenants don't pay gas bill, I have to pay unless I sign a cooperation program with gas company stating that it's a rental property.
If there are any outstanding bill not paid and house is sold, that is going to come up in title search. Closing company will deduct that from seller at closing.
Never keep the utilities in you name what is the landlord going to do when they get a bad tenants that turns the water on for the month it takes to evict them pay the 2000 dollar water bill.
Maybe, but those are the regs we have for water and sewer. If we didn't do that, and the tenant skipped out on a $2000 bill, then the rest of the ratepayers would have to cover it.
You asked what is the landlord to do? Get better tenants would be my answer.
Maybe, but those are the regs we have for water and sewer. If we didn't do that, and the tenant skipped out on a $2000 bill, then the rest of the ratepayers would have to cover it.
You asked what is the landlord to do? Get better tenants would be my answer.
It you open a water bill in the tenants name and they don't pay you need to go after the tenant not the owner....the bill was not in the owners name.....YOU need to find better water buyers....
I've never had to pay a bill that my tenant skipped out on... Just had to show a copy of the lease....
You're acting like you are running a debtors prison!!!!!
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