Tenant canceled utilities in his name and refuses to change it i assume because he fell behind.. Can i legally shut off the services? I cannot afford to pay the high bills considering its more then 1/2 his rent! --75.239.xxx.xx

Oh boy I would not like any of that. Is it in your lease that utilities have to be kept in in resident's name? Your state is so different than mine, hopefully someone will come along with helpful information. --172.59.xxx.xxx

Does this unit have an electric heat alternate method available? How can you preserve your water pipes? If the utils, I assume gas is now off how could this cost you? Shared utils is never a go idea, look for a way for each to have her/his own metering, some double houses there will be enough shared heat in the building to permit sewer flow. --184.59.xxx.xx

you might as well start the eviction now,you have seen the last of the rent.are the utilities in your name? if so how did that happen? --74.77.xx.xx

--184.4.xx.xx

The utility company can't just place them in your name for non-payment. At least, here they can't... we have an agreement with National GREED to "leave on for landlord" but that's only if the tenant leaves and terminates the utilities, NOT a disconnect for non-payment. They just shut them off (but they claim they won't during the winter but we all know they do lol). --69.201.xx.xxx

If your lease says they are responsible for utilities then hire an eviction attorney for breach of lease. In the mean time google fuel assistance for tenants and try to get your tenant to get help through fuel assistance, town/city welfare, local community action program, etc. If they don’t pay April rent file for eviction based on non-payment. That will be quicker. --73.100.xxx.xx

Tell utility not put in your name as the tenant has failed to pay. If the tenant requires heat then let the tenant deal with the utility. More then likely the tenant has not paid utility or rent as unpaid utilities and unpaid rent go hand in hand together. In future run thorough credit checks on all adult applicants then if are any unpaid utilities they are disqualified. What is happening in most jurisdictions is that the supply of rental housing is going down with population increases where those with a minimum credit score below the seven hundreds are out of the private sector rental housing market. Consider contacting a landlords association where Google to find on local advise on the process. What has happened is very common where things are only going to get worse. For problem tenants the three month merry go round is coming to end. If the utility is in your name then can not shut off. --207.236.xxx.xxx

What does your lease say? --24.101.xxx.xxx

And yes, LL should have a reserve account with money for things like this. What would you do if one of your properties suddenly needed a roof? I always kept about $10k-$12 in the bank for such things...luckily never had to use it (I was a licensed home inspector so I inspected the houses annually and was always able to plan ahead for big expenses like roofs and furnaces, etc.). --64.38.xxx.xxx

Never again. --107.147.xx.xx

I stopped the automatic utility turn on when a tenant turns off the utilities because if I turn off the utility it’s a health violation. I don’t have to deal with freezing problems. --146.70.xxx.xx

--76.129.xxx.xx