Changing lease terms after going month to month

[Dan V.]

Hello BP,

I've got a tenant that was in a 1 year lease and has now been month to month. I will be raising the rent and would also like to change the lease agreement on one point.

The tenants are normally responsible for all the utils. I would like to change that to where I would pay the sewer only and add that average cost to the monthly rent amount. Would I create and have them sign an addendum stating the new rent amount and that they are not responsible for the sewer as indicated in the respective lease section? Do I have them sign a new lease with the new rent amount and modification?

The reason for this change is that they have lost their direct billing privileges with the sewer service; they've been late numerous times. I could bill them the amount that I receive but would prefer to have them pay a set amount each month and added to the rent amount. I would be ultimately responsible for the sewer charges anyway; a lien could be put on the property if the late amount was to become large.

Any help or guidance would greatly be appreciated.

Dan