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Re: Tenants steal landlord's electricity
by Garry (Iowa)
on August 24, 2015 @08:19
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Well, Michelle, since I and Nicole somewhat disagree on the way to handle things, ( we both agree you should evict the guy), another option is to call an attorney, and get their opinion on the situation. The A. can give you an opinion as to if "stealing' electricity will hold up in court. If you end up going to court for that reason, you will need pics of any drop cords running from the outlets, to the apartment. And also 1-2 witnesses who can also go to court with you to tell a judge what they saw. You will also need something from the electric company saying the E. was totally off in the Ts apartment on a given date. And copies of your E. bills to show the increase in them once the T started using your E. A case like this is more complicated than a case for unpaid rent. I hope I and Nicole have helped you out, or at least given you some ideas.
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Re: Tenants steal landlord's electricity
by Garry (Iowa)
on August 24, 2015 @12:37
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Yes, I realize Nicole would have more experience and knowledge in the LL/T laws in Penn. than I do. Both my answers were generic ones, and I would have answered the same way, no matter which of the 50 states the OP was in. The OP wanted suggestions or ideas on what to do, so I presented some, as did Nicole. Both of our answers are neither right, nor wrong. They are just helpful opinions to the OPs questions. Please feel free to answer the OP with any ideas or opinions you may have.
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Re: Tenants steal landlord's electricity
by Nicole (PA)
on August 24, 2015 @11:30
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she doesn't go to court for "stealing" electric ... she goes to court for not having electric.
She isn't going to get reimbursed for allowing this to go on beyond day 2 of the tenant not having power.
I'd imagine when landlords come on here asking for advice and they're a month or six weeks after they should have been asking for advice, they usually won't do anything and will continue to drag their feet ... especially when they're focusing on an issue that isn't the main one.
To the OP - have you spoken with this tenant rather than just unplugging his cord?
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Re: Tenants steal landlord's electricity
by Michelle L (PA)
on August 25, 2015 @00:22
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Yes, I caught him when his cord was plugged into our outlet, and I also told him if he ever do it again, I will evict right away. Guess what within one hour after I left, he broke into our LOCKED storage room and turned on the breaker for both the outlet and W&D which was turned off by me after I realized the problem.
I thought about eviction, since it is not about paying the rent, not sure how to file? civil claim or criminal charge? what the judge is going to say? I do have pictures as evidence, and my hiked electric bill...
Never met this issue since being a landlord nearly 10 years ago.
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Re: Tenants steal landlord's electricity
by Nicole (PA)
on August 25, 2015 @07:50
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file and mark ALL the boxes I indicated above... for a lease violation. Let the magistrate figure out which one is the right box.
In the future, when you want someone out, ALWAYS include a lease violation - that way if they pay you can still get possession.
ALWAYS file a landlord tenant complaint ... lots of plusses to that over civil and criminal (unless the criminal is REALLY something big - but that doesn't help you).
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