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Updated about 3 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Josh Darley's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/1356868/1694849522-avatar-josh13.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/cover=128x128&v=2)
Landlord's Responsibility or Tenant's?
BP,
I just started a new lease with a new tenant on a SFH that we've owned for a number of years. I received a call from her tonight, the first day of her lease, stating that I had done her a HUGE disservice by not letting her know that the water heater and furnace required natural gas, not solely electric for the house, and that she was going to have to suffer with cold water until she could get it turned on. No doubt, I am not discounting the fact that cold water sucks and that it is a huge inconvenience, but she is stating that this is completely my fault. She states that I should have let her know ahead of time and that it was my responsibility to let her know that there were gas powered appliances.
We have multiple homes in the same neighborhood and have never run into this issue before with tenants. Am I in the wrong here, figuring that it her responsibility to figure out which utilities she will need? Every house I've owned or rented in my lifetime, I've always figured that this was my responsibility. Any insight would be appreciated.
Josh
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![Christopher Reeder's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/1233084/1621510489-avatar-christopherr207.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=1609x1609@1397x123/cover=128x128&v=2)
@Josh Darley
If utilities are stated in the lease to be the responsibility of the tenant, hold firm and let her know her responsibilities.
2 tips, if you aren’t already doing them.
1. I specifically stated which utilities the property has in my lease and who is the financial party responsible for them.
2. I have a 1 page welcome letter I provide to each tenant upon move-in which covers some basic items. One of which is the utility providers, their contact information and landlord/tenant responsible party.
Though your other properties have not had this experience previously, one of these solutions could help you in the future avoid an unnecessary inconvenience.
Chris