Tenant not paying gas bill

[Dave Versch]

Hi All,

I've got a tenant in a duplex that fell behind in his gas payments and the gas company shut their gas off. The tenant's lease is up end of June. I'm concerned that if I renew him and he doesn't get his gas bills straightened out by fall, I'd be running a risk that the pipes freeze and burst. (This is up in Buffalo, NY -- it gets cold early.)
So, to renew, or not to renew? Opinions?

[Jon Holdman]

Here I have a "landlord arrangement" with the gas company. Similar situation in the winter. If they get cut off, it reverts to my name. My lease states any money I get first goes to anything other than rent, such as utility bills I have to pay. So, I'd let the tenant know I'm now paying the bill, and that I expect them to include it in their payment or else I will apply money first to the gas bill, then to rent. If they don't include it, their rent is late, and you start the eviction process.

If the gas is not paid, guess who's next for not getting paid.