New Tennant Utility Issues

[Bryan Clement]

Hi BP!

So my wife and I decided to rent out our house. One of my concerns was the heating oil currently in the tank. I am on automatic delivery so at the end of the year the oil company filled it up. When you rent a house out, do you pass this cost onto the tenant somehow? Or do you just eat $1,000 in oil? Thanks! 

[Colleen F.]

You sign an agreement at the start and have them put oil delivery in thier name. I write the lease that it must be delivered back at the same level as they received it and you take a picture of the gauge on occupancy (or differenced is reimbursed at the current rate). You can ask for a deposit upfront too but I usually deliver the house with 1/2 tank and have it returned with 1/2 tank.