As a tenant can we be held responsible for an undisclosed electric bill?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

As a tenant can we be held responsible for an undisclosed electric bill?

We are a small business and recently moved into a new space. We attempted to have the electricity transferred to our name. Unfortunately, according to the electric company, there is a $5K balance from an unknown entity.The electric company says the former tenant closed their account in good standing. And, the account isn’t in the building owner’s name. So, while it makes no sense, the electric company is suggesting someone illegally hooked up the power for 18 months while the space was vacant and now they are refusing to transfer the account to us until the bill is paid. They are also claiming they will shut off the electricity in a week.

Asked on September 25, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

You as a tenant cannot be legally held accountable to pay an electrical bill for a period of time before you even moved into the commerical unit under the laws of all states in this country.

Your landlord needs to pay off this bill so you can move in. If he or she fails to do so, the landlord will be in breach of your lease agreement.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption