TENANT GAS SHUTOFF PIPES FREEZING QUESTION

[Troy Sheets]

If my tenant gets their gas shut off, can I shut their water off to prevent the pipes from freezing? I tried doing some research but it seems it's all in relation to self-help evictions, which isn't what I'm trying to do, I'm trying to preserve my property until I can get the tenant out lawfully. The positive aspect is the main water shutoff for their unit is in the basement which only I have access to. This is in Philadelphia, it's a 4 unit building and I live in one of the units. We're not at the point I've got to evict yet but today is the 5th and I doubt I'm getting the rent. I got a 72 hour notice for them yesterday (PGW guy handed it to me as he couldn't get in touch with the tenant) and I've been chasing them for rent all last month and they're behind a bit from last month. They agreed they'd pay the back rent plus this month in full by today, you know how that goes, writing is on the wall! With the low temps we've been having it's only a matter of time before the pipes in the unit freeze once the gas is off.

Any thoughts or experience would be much appreciated, especially with our lovely Philly PGW gas company and relatively pro-tenant court system. Thanks all!!! I'm hoping @Steve Babiak has some insight.