tenant still did not put utilties in there name

[Jimmy S.]

Got a new tenant and moved in on the 1st. They have gas heat and hot water. I called UGI, the gas company and they did not put the gas in there name yet. I called my tenant and they said UGI needs a duplicate of there social security card in order to put it in there name and will take 1 or 2 week yet. Guessing the bill for 3 weeks will be around $150 to $200 here in winter which im stuck paying.

I have been paying to heat the house in winter since its still in my name. The gas company said if I remove it from my name they will come out and shut it off since it will be in no ones name then. Can they shut if off in winter or should I just forward the bill to the tenant when I get it? They did put the electric in there name.  Just seems odd they cant put gas in there name without a duplicate of there SS Card.  Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

[Greg M.]

One of your lease requirements should be that utilities are in the tenants name as of lease start date. Not in their name on move in day, they don't get a key. 

Turning off the gas could be problematic. A court could look at this as an unlawful attempt to evict. Or they may look at it as part of the lease and the tenants failure to put utilities in their name is their mistake. I wouldn't want to argue this in front of a judge unless I'm in a VERY pro-landlord location.

Give the bill to the tenants and tell them to include it with next months rent. If they fail to pay then you made a mistake renting to them and the easiest thing is to non-renew the lease and deduct it from the security deposit.