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Updated almost 9 years ago on . Most recent reply
Tenant skipped out water bill and electricity bill
Ok where do I start, I would try to make this long story short by giving highlights and follow it up with my question.
- First time out of the parents house and rented with me
- HOA sent letters concerned that there might be illegal activities going on, confronted them, they denied any wrong doing.
- one of them was a smoker. I specifically asked, any smokers during the application process and they(3 of them) said NO.
- I inspected the unit every 3 months just to make sure things are on the up and up, most cases yeah. replace damaged blinds and replace light bulbs (not doing that again, they called because a light bulb was out after that. they are not kids mid-upper 20's with kids)
- The unit had 3 water leaks in the span of 3 month (grey pipes <sigh>. I have a post about this in another forum. look for grey pipes)
- It was coming to the end of their lease and informed them that I would not be renewing the lease because I would like to replace all the water line in the unit by taking out the recalled pipes.
- rent has always late (7-10 days)
- water company always send a courtesy bill letting me know what the water bill balance is. balances was carried from quarter to quarter.
- Before they left, they asked for their security deposit (1 months rent) so they can use it as a deposit at the new place, i declined because it was meant for damages etc when they moved out.
- Gave them 6 weeks to find a place, the main lease holder moved out 3 weeks into the 6 weeks without informing me. i sent numerous notices for the main lease holder to let me know 5 days before vacating so we can do a walk thru, never did.
- On day 5 of their last month, I asked for the rent, and was told they would pay when they move because they do not know when they would be leaving. I figured there is nothing much I could do, i cant evict them (court paper work etc), they are on their way out. on day 5 they said they are sure they wont be there any longer than day 19, when day 19 came around that was when I found out the main lease hold left on day 12, leaving the other 2 there. Informed them the clock is still ticking until I get the keys. so the other 2 left on day 22. I was there that morning to collect the keys, and they still left bunch of junk which i had to toss out after numerous notices for them to pick them up.
- at this point i had no choice to use their security deposit to cover that months rent, and am sure that was their intention, not paying and using the deposit as rent. So I prorated for the 22 days + damages = deposit + approx $160. Now they owe me about $160. Not sure am going to see that, I am willing to write that off.
- Now they left a hefty water bill of about $700 and light bill (amount unknown, company will not disclose since it not my bill owner, but I was told it's HUGE, I figured between 700-1000. did a i little guessing game untilI was in the ball park). Every time I visited the electric furnace is constantly on high, even when they go to work (LOL). thats another story. they swapped out my 7 programmable thermostat for a non-programmable one...go figure. was told it was too complicated.
- electric bill are individual bill and water bill (although in the tenants name) is still tied to the property because it's a city service.
- Now am stuck with the water bill. I do not mind paying it because my next tenant would need to turn the water on in their name, and can't do so with a previous balance.
- How can i collect on this, either thru wage garnishment or have a collection company do the dirty work of collecting.
- BTW, when they were signing the lease they also agreed and signed a letter on my intent to report their paying habit either good or bad to a service called tenantverification.com, hoping they would want a good record by paying on time and not leaving any bad debt behind.
- I live in Maryland
- SO HOW CAN I COLLECT?
Most Popular Reply
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I know it may not be your preferred route but you should sue them. Use the court system, this is what it is here for.
In Texas, withholding the last month's rent thinking the security deposit will cover it is automatically seen as bad faith on the tenant's part and you can charge them 3x the rent amount in damages.
I think that filing with the court is always the best way for you to establish your side of the story and get it on record that this money is owed to you.
I would also reach out to the tenants first and tell them your plan. You never know, they may want to pay what is owed so they don't have a judgment on their record.