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foxx1156 · Nov 12, 2013, 07:37 PM

My landlord had gad and water in his name, not by choice, but because I can't afford to get them in my name yet. About a week ago he decides to shut off my water and gas with no warning. Knowing I have a pet and a fiancé who live with me. We live in Georgia. Also the nights are below freezing. Is this is anyway legal?

LisaB4657 · Nov 12, 2013, 07:49 PM

It is illegal for a landlord to shut off a tenant's utilities until after the landlord has gone to court and won a judgment for eviction. The landlord may be required to pay a penalty of up to $500 for doing so.

The applicable law is O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1 and you can read it here:

§ 44-7-14.1 - Landlord's duties as to utilities :: 2010 Georgia Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia

foxx1156 · Nov 13, 2013, 10:56 AM

Even if they are in his name, and he told me to get them switched and I couldn't?

foxx1156 · Nov 13, 2013, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by LisaB4657

It is illegal for a landlord to shut off a tenant's utilities until after the landlord has gone to court and won a judgment for eviction. The landlord may be required to pay a penalty of up to $500 for doing so.

The applicable law is O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1 and you can read it here:

§ 44-7-14.1 - Landlord's duties as to utilities :: 2010 Georgia Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia

Even if they are in his name? He did tell me to switch them in my name, but I told him I can't afford it at this moment and he turned them off anyway a week ago.

excon · Nov 14, 2013, 07:15 AM

Hello f:

Even if they are in his name?

If they were in YOUR name, he couldn't shut them off, could he? The law was written for your EXACT situation.

Write your landlord a letter TELLING him about the law. Tell him further that if he doesn't REMEDY the situation WITHIN 24 hours, you'll file suit, make complaints to your local authorities, and go on TV telling EVERYBODY that he's a slumlord.

Send your letter CERTIFIED, return receipt requested, and HAND DELIVER another copy.

Yes, you'll have to move, but who wants to rent from a jerk like this?

excon

joypulv · Nov 14, 2013, 08:50 AM

Slumlord? He's just a schmoo who trusted you when he shouldn't have. Yes, the law is on your side now, but the law is on his side when he evicts you.

excon · Nov 14, 2013, 10:05 AM

Hello joy:

Slumlord? He's just a schmoo who trusted you when he shouldn't have.

And, by doing so, he legally OBLIGATED himself to LEAVE the utilities on. Abrogating his legal responsibility, with no notice whatsoever, would BE slumlord LIKE, in my view..

Look.. I'm sure he just a shmoo. But, he's a shmoo in the landlord BUSINESS. If he's gonna do that, he needs to know the rules. If HE'DA come here first, I'da told him how to get rid of his deadbeat tenants..

excon

joypulv · Nov 14, 2013, 10:14 AM

LOL! Slumlord > slumlord like > just a schmoo > schmoo in business who should know better... with tenants who took advantage of a kind gesture. A gesture he will never make again, furthering the gulf between landlords and tenants throughout the land.

excon · Nov 14, 2013, 10:28 AM

Hello again, joy:

A gesture he will never make again, furthering the gulf between landlords and tenants throughout the land.

It's true. But, the gestures I make toward MY landlord, more than offset the karmic imbalance created by the OP..

excon

joypulv · Nov 14, 2013, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by excon

Hello again, joy:
It's true. But, the gestures I make toward MY landlord, more than offset the karmic imbalance created by the OP..

excon

Double LOL.
So where did I get the idea that you own several properties?
Or is that Fr_Chuck?

foxx1156 · Nov 14, 2013, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by excon

Hello joy:
And, by doing so, he legally OBLIGATED himself to LEAVE the utilities on. Abrogating his legal responsibility, with no notice whatsoever, would BE slumlord LIKE, in my view..

Look.. I'm sure he just a shmoo. But, he's a shmoo in the landlord BUSINESS. If he's gonna do that, he needs to know the rules. If HE'DA come here first, I'da told him how to get rid of his deadbeat tenants..

excon

Excuse me not deadbeat, paid all bills due on time, all we needed was a couple more weeks to get them in my name, so why is every one calling me names and being holes. I had a simple question. I never did say I didn't pay the man. So why does this make ME THE BAD person. Damn if I knew people was going to make these hateful responses I would have never asked, only too a real attorney.