hi all i am a new landlord and got my first rental property. tenants moved in in September and October. the first month was fine but when December hit it got extremely cold and the heating is electric. due to poor insulation in the home that we did not know about the heat has to be turned very high up to keep the home warm, however since everything is electric it is causing the electric bill to be $800. the utilities are the tenants responsibility. however because of this one of the tenants has been extremely non compliant with paying rent.

This is in RI so letting the heat out is not just a big cost but a risk.

Waiting for or getting the dreaded call that xyz was broken, flooded etc. which only happens after hours on weekend, holiday, during heat wave or snow storm. 

Without electric you can not heat the unit.

“I can’t believe you disconnected the heat.

This is one of the things that sound a lot easier than they are actually done.The crazy thing I learned about these CA fires is that the heat radiation is hot enough (1500-2000F) that it will ignite your furniture through the windows.

It is naturally insulated and it captures passive heat with strategically placed windows.

Also control the thermostats so the tenants don't jack up the heat in the winter giving you a massive bill.

In one particular circumstance we had the same tenant intentionally damage their heating system and then calling in a complaint. 

Only heat.