Rent/Renter issue

[Legosa]

Asked the municipality to send me all the 2012/13 bills for a house I am renting out.

Found out my renter has not paid his water and electricity bill since moving in 18 months ago. He owes R35k now. They have cut him off, but he keeps reconnecting himself.

Not sure how to handle this as he pays like clockwork and the Municipality say I will be responsible for the debt when he moves out.

What are my legal options? Tell the municipality to set the Sheriff on him? Lease expires end of Nov and not sure threating him is worth while.

 

[web]

Well if he doesn't pay it becomes your baby to settle. So you have to do something.

 

[carlchurchill]

How does he keep reconnecting it?

Time for a lawyer, its a bit much for small claims court!

You are actually in a bad situation, because you cant forcibly remove the money from him and the municipality will only go after you...how much deposit did he give you?

 

[ArchieChoke]

How does he keep reconnecting it?

Time for a lawyer, its a bit much for small claims court!

You are actually in a bad situation, because you cant forcibly remove the money from him and the municipality will only go after you...how much deposit did he give you?

How does he keep reconnecting it?

Plays the emotional game , Judges tired of claims and city has bad rep for disconnects. Nothing new.

 

[sly]

why dont u bill him/her together with rent?

 

[Rocket-Boy]

How does he keep reconnecting it?

Time for a lawyer, its a bit much for small claims court!

You are actually in a bad situation, because you cant forcibly remove the money from him and the municipality will only go after you...how much deposit did he give you?

I think most electricians know how to reconnect you, if the municipality finds out then you get charged a tampering fee too.
My dad got in trouble for this a few times when I was a youngster, he wouldnt pay bills and our power would get turned off, he would then get my uncle who was an electrician to turn it back on again and would then get fined for it.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Legosa, when its all sorted out then get a prepaid meter installed in the place!
At least that only leaves rates and water/utilities which dont accumulate nearly as fast as electricity does.

 

[AlmightyBender]

Actually, put that prepaid meter in first thing on Monday!! What a biets, cause you might have to settle for the first R12000 from small claims court (depending on the wording of your lease) and the rest as school fees.

Out of interest, what is your wording on these issues in your lease aggreement?

 

[Legosa]

Got a litltle leverage with the guy, but I don't want to play that card.

He denies not paying so asked for proof of settled account on Monday. If nothing happens, will phone municipality and tell them to disconnect his power from the minisub (the subboard on the street is unlocked and broken). Issue then is that he might move out and I sit with the debt.

Deposit is only R8k and all he has to do is not pay the last month and he lands even. Guess I will be off to a lawyer on Tuesday to initiate proceeding against him.

Next tenant I get I will pay all the bills and forward them the account so I know they are paying. Live and learn, as they say.

 

[Legosa]

Actually, put that prepaid meter in first thing on Monday!! What a biets, cause you might have to settle for the first R12000 from small claims court (depending on the wording of your lease) and the rest as school fees.

Out of interest, what is your wording on these issues in your lease aggreement?

Subreme court ruled against tenant/home owner and we are liable, even if it is in your contract. My contract states he will pay electricity and water. Hopefully if I act fast I can get him to pay or the Sheriff can come and collect some of his movable property