Is it illegal to refuse utility service due to a previous tenant not paying their bill?
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Is it illegal to refuse utility service due to a previous tenant not paying their bill?
I’m the new tenant of a rental house, and the old tenant skipped out on their power bill. The landlord has called the power company to have the power turned back on the property, or tell the power company that the old tenant is no longer an occupant, and they refuse to turn on service stating the old tenant is an occupant in the house. I’ve attempted to talk to the power company stating I’m the new tenant, and that the bill will be in my name, as well as my landlord stating I need new power services in my name, and they refused both times stating the old tenant is still living there.
Asked on August 1, 2011 California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The utility company has to change its billing invoice to reflect that a new tenant will be occupying the home and start up power under your name.
The utility company's recourse for the unpaid power bill of the prior tenant is to sue the prior tenant and/or lien the home owned by the landlord for payment of the power where the landlord ultimately will end up having to pay the past due utility bills of the prior tenant.
If the power will not be turned back on by the utility company, then you have a good argument with the landlord that he or she either pays the past due amount owed by the prior tenant or you will consider the lease agreement breached by the landlord due to no power and will look for another rental.
Good luck.
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