Your opinion on "do nothing" strategy (in Philadelphia) when tena

[Eran R.]

Your opinion on "do nothing" strategy (in Philadelphia) when tenant doesn’t pay utilities

I have lease that tenant has to pay utilities (although they are listed on our name). The tenant has not left out at end of lease and doesn’t pay any utility. I want to run in "do nothing" strategy in that I will not tell companies to shut off but I will not pay tenants bills. The rule that forces landlord to pay utilities for not paying tenant is rude and is actually making authorities to support delinquent behavior. In my case with the facts:

1. Tenant is responsible for utilities
2. Tenant didn’t left at end of lease

I have started already eviction request but is other issue:

Do you think I still should finance that rude "thief" by the name of the "law" or is it OK not to pay and not to call to shut off?

[Nathan Gesner]

It's tempting to let the utility provider shut the utility off for non-payment, but it's a bad idea. First, it's illegal to shut off the utilities in an effort to evict a tenant. The utilities are in YOUR name, so YOU are responsible for paying the utility bill each month and keeping them on. Then it's YOUR responsibility to collect from the tenant. You have to go through the legal process.

Second, if the utilities do get shut off, that will be a strike against you and could result in additional problems when you try to turn the utility back on.

It's a hard lesson, but the correct thing to do is go through the court.