? for Landlords

[Hot dog]

So my tenants are moving out after they have stated they were going to stay and finish their lease. It is only til the end of March. They said they were calling before last month to give us 30 days notice that they were leaving my hubby said they said they were calling to give us notice they were not going to renew the lease. Nothing is in writing. Anyway they just called to tell us today and to say they turned off all utilities and they just have to clean. It is already into the month if they were to be out by Feb. than we'd have been in contact and they wouldve had to be out. Can I make them put the utilities back on cause the house can not be without heat we just had a snow storm. It is only for 1 month but I don't need that extra bill?

[disneysteve]

What are the terms of the existing lease regarding their responsibilities if they choose not to renew? Without knowing the details, my answer would be to hold them to those terms.

[Hot dog]

I know they will have to pay the rent I am just wondering if they will have to keep the electric on so the pipes dont freeze

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Hot dog

I know they will have to pay the rent I am just wondering if they will have to keep the electric on so the pipes dont freeze

Is the utility issue addressed in the lease? If not, you might be stuck paying for that.

[kork13]

Originally Posted by Hot dog

I know they will have to pay the rent I am just wondering if they will have to keep the electric on so the pipes dont freeze

Would it be possible to literally empty the pipes? I know that during freezes, you're supposed to to keep some faucets on a slow drip to prevent damage.... Is it somehow possible to empty all the pipes in the house? with nothing in them, wouldn't it prevent freezing damage?

[Hot dog]

Under utilities it just says tenant shall be responsible for the cost of electric, telephone and related utilities for the premises. I just found out they had it turned off since monday. the snow hit sunday and the kids have had off for three days it has been really cold. I just went over and it was 42 in the house it is too late to even call the electric company we are gonna get some kerosene but think it supposed to get warmer in the week. Hate to leave a kerosene heater on over there but dont know what else to do.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Hot dog

Under utilities it just says tenant shall be responsible for the cost of electric, telephone and related utilities for the premises. I just found out they had it turned off since monday. the snow hit sunday and the kids have had off for three days it has been really cold. I just went over and it was 42 in the house it is too late to even call the electric company we are gonna get some kerosene but think it supposed to get warmer in the week. Hate to leave a kerosene heater on over there but dont know what else to do.

Make sure any outside pipes are drained (like the ones for the garden hose) and keep the faucets running at a trickle.

[jIM_Ohio]

contact an attorney not a financial discussion group

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by jIM_Ohio

contact an attorney not a financial discussion group

While that's never a bad idea, do you think the tenants are legally responsible for paying the utilities after they've moved out, Jim? I'm honestly not sure myself. Certainly, they should have at least notified the owners BEFORE turning off the power so that the owners could transfer the bill and not have interrupted service in the middle of winter.

[jIM_Ohio]

DS- it did not appear much was done in writing (notice to vacate, actual date etc...) so IMO any "common sense" thing is out the window because this situation does not appear too common.

[momof1in150]

De-winterize the house by draining all the pipes. I live in RI and my agency has about 35 rentals and if they are empty during the winter months we de-winterize them so we don't have to pay for heat.