Unique Tenant Issue Involving ComEd Repair Question....Help!

[Mike Barry]

Hi All,

New landlord here with a unique question. I own a SFH where my tenant had the electric turned off due to non payment. The property is located in Will County Illinois and the provider is ComEd.

When ComEd came out to the house to turn the power off they told my tenant they will not be turning it back on until the back box connecting the meter to the home is repaired. I've had a few electricians look at the damage, and tell me over the phone that the reason for the damaged box is because ComEd when originally run wire underground to the home it did not leave enough "slack" and over the years with the home settling and the harsh winters the wire had pulled back from the home causing the box to be pulled along with it and cause the damage. My understanding is anything running to the meter is ComEd responsibility and anything behind the meter is mine. Everyone tells me to fight this with ComEd, however I have been warned this will be a struggle.

Has anyone ever had this happen to them before or dealt with ComEd on anything like this? Any advice here will be welcomed. I was just notified of this yesterday by my tenant and of course I am upset because if the power was never turned off in the first place this would not be an issue. My tenants are now without power even though they paid current on their bill since ComEd will not turn it back on. Regardless if this is a hazard I do want this to be repaired.

Thanks again everyone

[Brie Schmidt]

@Mike Barry

 - I would fix the issue immediately so the tenant has power and then fight with ComEd for reimbursement.  You may be open to liability for not being able to provide your tenant with power. In Cook county you would be required to put them up in a hotel until the issue is fixed.