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Thebestlord · Dec 31, 2010, 12:48 PM

I have tenants who refuse to pay oil bill. Can I serve them a pay or quit form used for utilities or is there such a thing?
Thanks.

joypulv · Dec 31, 2010, 05:06 PM

Is there an arrangement and is it in the lease or otherwise in writing?

When I owned a 2 family and lived in one unit, I had it in the lease that tenants had to use the same company I used. I did have tenants who stopped paying, let the tank go dry, and it blew sludge through the burner, filling the place with smoke and costing me a cleanout. You do have to keep an eye on things.

Fr_Chuck · Dec 31, 2010, 05:15 PM

What is the legal agreement for the oil, more details, since I would always require them to just buy their own oil, ( I would not furnish, it should be their problem not yours)

If in the rental agreement they agreed to pay the oil or other bills, what does your rental agreement say.

On the few ( and I mean few) I ever did utilities, I always had it in the agreement, that any money paid, went to pay post or late due payments including utilities, so if they paid this months rent, and owed past bill, part of what they paid went to pay the old bill first and the rent was still due for this month.

But you may have to merely due them for it, and then evict them and hold it out of the deposit ( assuming you allowed for this in your rental agreement

ScottGem · Dec 31, 2010, 06:01 PM

To sum up, it depends on what your lease states. Also are the utilities in their name or in your name and they are supposed to their share or reimburse you?

Thebestlord · Dec 31, 2010, 06:09 PM

Thanks. Utilities at rental house are still in my name. I have due dates, 20th of month for electric; 20th of month for water/sewer every 2-mos & within 7-days notification for oil. Oil is high, 3 of 5 tenant owe. I have deposit $$. Can I pay/qui

ScottGem · Dec 31, 2010, 06:14 PM

Please do not use the Comments feature for followups. As you can see its limited in size. Use the Answer options at the bottom of the page.

You didn't answer whether the utility payments are in the lease. Also you didn't answer where you are so we can check applicable law.

excon · Jan 1, 2011, 07:18 AM

Hello The:

I say no. In my view, a debt OTHER than rent is just like any other debt, and would have to be collected like any other debt.

excon

Fr_Chuck · Jan 1, 2011, 11:43 AM

If it is not listed in the lease and listed as part,

Also is the oil bill split between several renters at the same buuidling ? What about the electric ?

How is the split done, if you are splitting among several units there has to be some ( or should be) written agreement as to how it is divided.

They can aruge if not, that other units are using more and division is not fair and so on.

So using the answer not comment feature tell us about how you have it set up