Landlording!! Tenant won't pay water and sewer!

[Mark Benevento]

Hi all! My tenant won't pay water and sewer but it states in our lease "tenant is responsible for all utilities assosciated with the property" do I touch his security deposit or what should I do? Please advise! I am in NJ if that helps. Thank you!!

[Deanna McCormick]

YOu give him notice of non-compliance and if you have the costs of the utilities that are unpaid you give that information to him and then you give him a PAY or QUIT.. 

Basically get a statement prepared,, list the amount of the utilities. and include it with the pay or quit.. any late fees from utility company include that give him a copy of the latest utility statement print out. 

He either gives proof of payment within 3 days or you can file for eviction action.

Wouldn't hurt to give him a copy of the lease agreement highlighting the clause of he pays for utilities.

Don't touch his security deposit,, YET.. that's for after he move's out or is evicted

Download copy of your state landlord tenant laws so you know the procedure for pay or quit and eviction filing besides everything else