Utilities not Connected as advised

[Tomeka Wray]

So today my tenant is scheduled to move in. I told her two weeks ago to make sure that she has her utilities start on Friday Sept. 30th, because the utility company didn't have start dates on the weekend. Also I scheduled the stop service on my account on Sept. 30th. So when I show up today to do the walk thru, there is no power. She scheduled the utilities to start on Monday. As a result she has no power this weekend and we could not do a full walk thru because I could not start anything that was plugged up. In the lease she is responsible for her utilities. Is this something that I need to be concerned with?

[Bjorn Ahlblad]

I would be somewhat concerned. That is a lease violation and the tenant might be irresponsible-OK, maybe forgetful-I once forgot to pay the rent for our new office, so it happens! All the best!

[Wesley W.]

It's going to depend on what your lease says.  My lease requires utilities be connected in the tenant's name before occupying the unit.  If this were my unit, I would not give them the keys until utilities are connected, and during this time they would still be responsible for the monthly rent.

I minimize this issue by requiring all move-in fees paid up at lease signing, well before move-in.  I remind tenants of utility switching at the lease signing as well as in writing with a "move-in cost sheet."

I call the utilities provider the day before or day of the move-in, and confirm a connect order has been issued for another customer to take over that address on the specific date.  If that is not the case, I would proceed as stated in my first paragraph.

[Melanie Thomas]

Not a biggie. I would not be concerned with it. She already had to go a weekend with no power, I am sure she wont let that happen ever again. Good luck and happy investing!