Tenant and utility problems.

[Charles Wheeler]

I  allowed a section 8 tenant to move into my property In Chicago Illinois. in our signed agreement It states that she is responsible or all utilities. I called the gas company and they said that she cannot get the gas turned on in her name because she has a past due balance of $500. ( she doesnt have the money to pay) the gas is still on in my name and it is still being used. What should I do? 

[Bill S.]

@Charles Wheeler whatever you do, do not turn off the utilities despite what others have said above. It may get the tenant to put the utilities into their name but if it doesn't and you have to do an eviction it will not be good for you. They are going to tell the judge you turned the utilities off and that's why they didn't pay rent. As soon as the judge finds out, you will be in serious trouble. This is called a self help eviction and is illegal in may places. Fines and punishment is fairly stiff in most cases.

I agree you have to bring Section 8 into the discussion. If they won't help, maybe you could get a lease addendum that requires the tenant to reimburse you for the costs. When they don't pay you then you could evict them. It's not great but it's better than eating the cost for a year as no tenant on Section 8 is going to come up with $500 just to get utilities turned on.