Problem with new Section 8 tenant (Connecticut) - Utility transfer failure

[Michael Chalke]

A new tenant, adult mother who's taking care of her adult son (he has some medical issues) applied for one of my apartments in Connecticut. She is on Section 8, which I didn't mind since in Connecticut, it's been pretty good for me over the years. I also am getting over market rate and the tenant does treat the apartment well; I was just there this weekend. Anyways, I come to find that she only transferred the electric portion of her utilities; not the gas.  She forwarded both documents to me from both utility companies  (two different companies service the electric and gas) showing the accounts were established and transferred; but the gas company states it was never transferred.  She said she was going to transfer the gas last week, but never did.  

I served her a 15 day lease violation; but I am hesitant to get housing involved as they may hold payment until she switches the utilities.  Her lease states that she has to switch the utilities in to her name as she's responsible. I am not sure if I am allowed to stop the utilities at the end of the month or what are my other options.

Again, I am trying not to involve the housing dept, as they'd just stop her payment and threaten to remove her from the program. Has anyone ever been in this situation?

[Carl Millsap]

@Michael Chalke yes I've had this situation before.

1. Check with the gas company, local tenant advocates and your lawyer to see if you can turn off service because she failed to switch service. If the gas is the heat source I'm thinking you can't just shut it off.

2. Worst case scenario have her reimburse you for the gas until she can switch it. Section 8 usually has a policy about tenants paying amounts outside the agreement to landlords, but I would think when they financially qualified her for this gas was factored in.

3. Moving forward don't depend on the tenant to switch utilities. I learned this lesson the hard way. It cost me $278.14.....15 years ago. 

When we sign a lease we call / email each utility a request to shut off services in our name. We notify the new tenant when services will shut off so they have time to turn them on. If the tenant moves in w/o service that's on them.  

Hope this helps