My tenants broke their lease and never once paid utilities

[Mark Scott]

I just bought my first property (a duplex) and inherited some tenants. The previous owner said they had been paying, but I heard that the unit A tenants wanted out of their lease. I hadn’t heard much else, but I didn’t want to risk vacancy, and I didn’t know the extent of their wish to leave.

When informing the unit B tenants that there was a change of ownership, they asked if some of their family could move into unit A because the other tenants had left. This is how I found out that unit A was suddenly vacant.

I informed the former tenants of Unit A that if they forfeited their rental deposits, I would not forego legal actions, and they agreed over text. Now, I just found out that in the 3 months they had lived there prior to me buying the property, they had not once paid their utility bill.

What should I do now? I want to let the new people move into unit A as soon as possible, but I want to figure out what is going on with the former tenants beforehand.

[Mark Scott]

Thank you all! I was able to talk to the utility company, and they confirmed that I am not responsible for any of the payments. As for the new tenants, I will consider looking for someone else, but i am in a unique circumstance.

I live in a college town, and the Unit B is currently rented out to a family. I am waiting until the end of spring to fix up the property, which is when my tenants’ lease will end. They have not missed a payment yet, and as long as their family passes a screening, I think it will be my best option because they are okay signing a 7 or month lease.

The house I’m not in great shape as of right now, and I think it will easiest to renovate the whole property at once over the summer, I’m not doing much work, but I will make it better for students.