utilitiy bills - Landlord Forum thread 322058

utilitiy bills by Anonymous (ohio) on July 30, 2014 @09:14

Quick outline of events:
- A tenant moved out (and was let out of his lease mid-month on 6/13).
- New tenant took the keys 6/26.
- The old tenant just closed his gas account until yesterday (7/29).
- The new tenant still hasn't turned on the gas in her name. (even though this is stated in the lease)

the old tenant is sending me the bill and I'll be charging the new tenant for gas usage between 6/26 when they took possession to 7/29 on when the old tenant's billing ends (and reimbursing the old tenant). And I'll also be charging the new tenant for my billings from 7/29 until whenever they sign up. (Hopefully in a few days or I'll shut off the gas).

One question though: who is responsible between 6/13 and 6/29? The billing would have automatically reverted to me and I would have paid, had the old tenant promptly closed the account. Since they didn't bother to handle their responsibility, I don't see that I owe them for that.

thoughts?

thanks in advance.

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Re: utilitiy bills by jannie (IL) on July 30, 2014 @09:45	[ Reply ]

Why is the old tenant sending you the gas bill? They didn't close the account until the 29th. They should have had the gas company come & read the meter on the 13th (or if that's on a Saturday they won't read it until Monday). Re: The new tenants - that's your bigger problem. Have you asked them why they haven't changed it? Normally between tenants the electric/gas bill reverts to me as does the water bill. New tenant has the service put into their name. I always check with the utilities before they move in to make sure this is done.

Re: utilitiy bills by BIll on July 30, 2014 @09:53	[ Reply ]

Who is responsible for the bill between 6/13 and 6/29? You are because the bill is in your name. Do not be surprised if you are on the hook for future bills too. You should have never issued the lease and let the tenant take possession with the meter still in your name.

Re: utilitiy bills by Anonymous on July 30, 2014 @10:01	[ Reply ]

Don't try to teach the outgoing tenant a lesson in life skills at this late date, just pay the amount due from 6/13-6/29, you know you are responsible for that period. Why are we all so willing to take advantage of others' mistakes? His argument would be why didn't you proactively change the account to your name when his term expired? In most states, the tenant would win that argument.

Re: utilitiy bills by Nicole (PA) on July 30, 2014 @10:10	[ Reply ]

a 13 day gas bill in the summer? really, just pay it rather than spend any time dealing with it. In the summer months, mine roughly is less than $1.00 a day. Going forward, be certain new tenant has bill in their name before giving them keys.

Re: utilitiy bills by Bill on July 30, 2014 @15:36	[ Reply ]

If you shut off the gas on the new tenant you will have the Health Dept. breathing down your neck about 15 minutes later.

Re: utilitiy bills by anonymouse on July 30, 2014 @15:49	[ Reply ]

Send the old tenant back his bill. That's his business. The new tenant starts to pay when she starts her service.