Tenants Want to Completely Turn Off Electicity and AC?

Tenants Want to Completely Turn Off Electicity and AC?

Jon S.Pro Member
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 530 posts · 92 votes

It's 96 degree days here in Tampa as summer approaches, and getting hotter. A tenant is moving out at the end of this month, but they want to shut off their power 2 weeks before their lease is up, because they are moving into another apartment before this lease is up. I have new tenants moving in on the first of June. The existing tenants are requesting permission to turn off their power 2 weeks in advance, so they can change their power bill account to their new apartment. On the surface, this makes practical sense. However, my concern is that the humidity in the summer heat of Florida might not be good for the apartment, which was completely rehabbed with granite counters, etc, just one year ago. The apartment has no mold problems at this time. I'm worried that letting the apartment get that hot and humid might encourage mold or cause expansion of the new floors, or some other damage? What can I tell the tenants? At least they are polite enough to ask permission. They have been very good tenants. But my instinct is that the apartment should not be left without power or AC for two weeks in the summer. At 96 degrees, it would be roasting hot in there. Thoughts? 

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Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
9y

Change it to your name and eat the cost. This is part of being a landlord sometimes. If everything else was good with them, rent current, took care of the unit, etc...be thankful...thank them (you never know--they might recommend you as a landlord), and move forward.

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  • Real Estate Agent · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 49 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    As long as the unit is properly sealed I don't think it would be too big of an issue. However, one thing that might help, is that since they're only asking for 2 weeks, have them leave it on but possibly subsidize a portion of their utility costs for helping to ensure the unit stays in good condition. Plus, if they're in the process of moving out, I'm sure they will be occupying it for some time while they move and I don't really know of anyone who likes being in a hot stuffy room.

  • Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY..

    you would be out of compliance for your insurance, the smoke detectors would stop working and just plain no they can not.. you cal call and set up a stop / start order for them and the new incoming tenant.

    Unless they turn thier keys in early they need to keep elec service in their name until they are completely out.. They can turn off the central Air.. but not complete electric service.

    If the service is going to have an interim time,, then you tell electric company to bill landlord between tenants.  

    What makes mold is not heat,, it is dark / moist un - circulated air that has the most issues for mold or mildew

  • Jon S.Pro Member
    OP
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 530 posts · 92 votes
    9y

    Just googled this problem and found this article which recommends keeping AC on while away on vacations, to a temp of 78 degrees, to protect from mildew mold, etc. : http://flowtechairconditioning.com/do-i-turn-ac-up-or-off/

  • Real Estate Agent · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    If you do not have a landlord reversion set up with utility companies to avoid set-up fees, then you would need to provide them yourself, paying the hook-up fees they charge, in order to keep it on, but it may be worth it if they are planning on not using the a/c even if they keep the utilities on.  In addition to moisture/mold issues, I wanted to add also that if you have any laminate or vinyl plank flooring, the warranty can become useless and flooring damaged if the temperature is not kept at certain levels. 

  • Jon S.Pro Member
    OP
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 530 posts · 92 votes
    9y
    You have confirmed my concerns. I never thought about the smoke detectors, good point! Nor did I consider implications for insurance. I also googled this issue and they recommend the AC be on set to 78 degrees cooling to avoid mildew and mold. 


    Originally posted by @Deanna McCormick:

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO  WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY..

    you would be out of compliance for your insurance, the smoke detectors would stop working and just plain no they can not.. you cal call and set up a stop / start order for them and the new incoming tenant.

    Unless they turn thier keys in early they need to keep elec service in their name until they are completely out.. They can turn off the central Air.. but not complete electric service.

    If the service is going to have an interim time,, then you tell electric company to bill landlord between tenants.  

    What makes mold is not heat,, it is dark / moist un - circulated air that has the most issues for mold or mildew

  • Jon S.Pro Member
    OP
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 530 posts · 92 votes
    9y
    Good point regarding vinyl or laminate flooring. I have tile flooring, but the subfloor is new, and has not been exposed to high humidity since installation a year ago. I'm not sure how much of an effect that would have on wood subfloor but I really don't want to find out.  

    Originally posted by @Lynn McGeein:

    If you do not have a landlord reversion set up with utility companies to avoid set-up fees, then you would need to provide them yourself, paying the hook-up fees they charge, in order to keep it on, but it may be worth it if they are planning on not using the a/c even if they keep the utilities on.  In addition to moisture/mold issues, I wanted to add also that if you have any laminate or vinyl plank flooring, the warranty can become useless and flooring damaged if the temperature is not kept at certain levels. 

  • Buy & Hold Owner · Redlands, CA · Member since 2015 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    Heat, water & power are required to keep the unit legally habitable.  Concede to the tenant request and next month you could be slapped with a lawsuit for Non-Habitability

  • Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    9y

    My lease requires electric to be on during the entire lease , if they are there or not 

  • Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    9y

    Change it to your name and eat the cost. This is part of being a landlord sometimes. If everything else was good with them, rent current, took care of the unit, etc...be thankful...thank them (you never know--they might recommend you as a landlord), and move forward.

  • Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    Just tell them no and explain the safety issues, there is absolutely no reason for you to consider their request.

    It is strange how novice landlords seem to think that because a tenant asks for something they should try to comply.

    When tenants ask for something the landlords response should always be no unless  they are offering to pay, but still usually the best answer is always no..

  • Investor · Edwardsville, IL · Member since 2015 · 432 posts · 481 votes
    9y
    I have a second home in Florida and you have to have the A/C going or you will get mold. If the tenant shuts off the power, put it in your name and subtract the cost from their security deposit.
  • Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
    9y

    I ran into this problem recently. Now im updating my lease have utilities in their names until 2 days before end of lease.  I will the cost of 2 days.  

  • Real Estate Broker · Naples, FL · Member since 2013 · 9k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Thomas S.:

    Just tell them no and explain the safety issues, there is absolutely no reason for you to consider their request.

    It is strange how novice landlords seem to think that because a tenant asks for something they should try to comply.

    When tenants ask for something the landlords response should always be no unless  they are offering to pay, but still usually the best answer is always no..

     I must be a pushover! I just had a guy break the lease and move out early. Lost a whole months rent. His grandbaby has leukemia...and he wanted to go be there for them. Life happens. I got the unit rented again...my bank accounts are not suffering...and we both don't have stress nor negative feelings over our "breakup". He was a great tenant..we were in our second lease term. Sure, if this stuff happened all the time I would have a different attitude..but it doesn't.  To me, sometimes it is just a lot easier to move on....

    John the pushover:)

  • Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2016 · 67 posts · 30 votes
    9y
    Jon S. my father was living in one of my units before retiring and we left it at 78 like you said until I moved someone else in. The bill was around $45. Tell the tenant of the safety issues and have them finish the month the proper way.
  • Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2015 · 293 posts · 175 votes
    9y

    They don't need any "time" to transfer the service. They just call TECO and change the address of their service. 

    BTW also a huge no-no, need AC or you'll walk in 2 weeks after move out into Mold-City.

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