Electricity account between the tenant and the landlord

[Sarah Byun]

We purchased a property that has 3 tenants.

The first-floor tenant's been living there for more than 20 years.

When we purchased the property 5 years ago we were told only the garage was the only electricity bill we were responsible for.

Which we didn't have any issues with this for the last five years.

Suddenly, our first tenant called the electric company to come out to dispute her electricity bill.

Now we wended up with a letter from the electric company that the foreign wiring needs to be transferred to the landlord's account.

Now what?  Is this still require for me to get done or is there something we can do to make this job simpler?  As a landlord, we have to pay for gas and water and the expenses is outrageous.  This foreign wiring is connected to basement lights (which we don't use) and 1 porch light (front) of the house.