All Forum Posts by: Todd Moriarty

That's how I originally tried to do it, but as I said, the husband screams and whines over everything. He overreacts, refuses to pay it, then settles down and pays it. They like it there, so I know they don't want to move.  They've been there over 5 years.  What I've done in the past is include a 30 day eviction notice with the letter. I clearly state that if he won't sign and pay it, then I'll file the notice with the court. That way the clock is ticking with the notice and the day the new rent is due, and if I don't get it, I file it with the court.

How do you guys handle rent increases? Initially, I'd go to the rental with my rent increase letter and attempt to sit down with my tenants and talk about raising the rent and get their signature. But the husband is very moody, emotional and angry and wouldn't sign claiming they couldn't afford it. Of course I'd give them the required 30 days notice (actually it was 40 days).  So, I'm thinking they're going to move, after he refused to sign and pay, but 30 days later he would pay it.

But now, to save myself some grief and time, I'm considering mailing them the letter "registered mail" and letting them think about it and get angry in private.  And include a signature form asking for their signature and have them mail it to me with the next month's rent.

Any suggestions? I've been doing this over 5 years now but always looking for new ideas.

Thanks.

Thanks for your time.

I like the idea someone had earlier of putting a clause in the lease or adding an addendum saying that unpaid water bill will be paid by the landlord using rent money. If the next water bill is about to come out, and the previous bill still has not been paid, then rent money will be applied to the water bill, paid by the landlord. And because there is a rent money shortage, tenant is short rent, then I will send a 7-day eviction notice and late fees will apply.

I check the city utility billing online every 3 months to check the bill status.

One question I have is the legality of this approach. Here in Michigan, 7 day eviction notices can be given only for non-payment of rent. Can I use rent money towards the bill then give a 7 day notice. I guess I can if I put it in the lease. 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Funny you should ask. I raised the rent on him in '12, in '15, and I'm preparing a letter now to mail him with another rent increase for '16.

The water bills do go to the tenant's address, but if they don't get paid, I'm ultimately responsible and it'll get added to my tax bill.

In Michigan, the water stays in the homeowner's name. All other utilities stay with the tenant.

I wish I could change it to his, otherwise I would have long ago.

Hey all fellow landlords "in the trenches" with me in the Detroit area:

In the five years my tenant has been at my rental property, most of the time he has been $300-$600 behind in the water bill.  It's his responsibility to pay it in the lease.  He pays the rent and keeps it clean but is lazy about the water.  I've tried different tactics to motivate him.  I've contacted the city and requested they send him a shut-off notice as a scare tactic but specifically told the city NOT to turn off the water for fear of ethical backlash in court from the judge. This tactic worked in the beginning but then he called the city asking questions and they told him that I requested the shut-off notices and not to turn off the water.

Then I sent him 30 day eviction notices asking him to pay $200 towards the bill then I'd agree to not file the eviction with the court, if he paid.  Or if he didn't pay, I'd file it.  This approach has worked so far but I'm getting tired of sending him the notices. 

A couple years ago, I added an addendum to the lease asking for an extra $100 per month and I'd pay the water bill but he refused.

On the bright side, over the past 12 months, he has paid the bill and there is a $0 balance. Yay!  Maybe he robbed a bank recently. I thought he looked familiar in a FBI most wanted poster. LOL. A couple times recently he bragged to me that he's paying it.  As if he deserves extra credit for doing something he's supposed to be doing anyway.

However, I know he will get behind again in the future. Any future suggestions? What do you guys do?

Thanks,

Todd

Thanks for the replies.