Water dept water shutoff

My tenant rents a single family, and is responsible for the water charges. They haven't paid it in the last 8 months since they moved in. Water department says the meter isn't transmitting a reading, and they will shut of off on a certain date if they don't get in to fix it. I made two previous appointments for the tenant with the water department and both times he didn't answer the door or said he missed the appointment. I made a third appointment. Is it enough for me to tell tenant to be home to let him in, or should I be there for this? There is a $140 turn on fee if they shut it off. I'm afraid the tenant won't answer the door. In the past tenant has barricaded door so I could not get in with my key, they were hiding a dog in their prior apartment when they weren't permitted one. Would I be blamed if there is no water, such as by public assistance blaming me for not being shutoff (since its not for non-payment at this time). --108.176.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 2:22 AM
Message:

I had a "squatter" break into a vacant single family home. The Utility department had a "turn-off" notice from the prior tenants. The Utility took 5 days to respond to the turn-off order and when the service tech when to shut off the water and power, he noticed someone was home using water. So he knocked on the door and told the person inside the property that if they wanted to continue the service, he would wait a week before turning it off so the occupant had time to go down to the local office and apply for service.

The squatter said, "No, turn it off! I don't want to pay for anything. I'll call Housing and get the owner to put service in their name"!

So I went to the property and found someone inside and called the police. By then the squatter ordered limited phone service and had a bill in their name. The police now call this a legal Tenancy since a bill was in the squatters name. The Housing Department told me that Unless I give a "LEASE" to the "tenant", they couldn't get service in the property. Either I put the utilities in my name or give them a lease"!

I refused to either. It went to an emergency court session. I got the Utility Service Tech to testify that the only reason why there was no service at the property is the "Squatter ordered him to turn off the service". I was issued a $500 fine. I sued the City because the "Law/Code" stated if I could prove the problem was caused by the tenant, then it had to be a "Joint Violation". So the City issued the citation to both of us and I was ordered to pay $250, half the fine. I paid the fine and sued the city again. They didn't no try to collect anything from the tenant/squatter and held be accountable. This was a discriminating tactic.

The above is common. They City and Departments hold deep pockets responsible, they don't go after people they can't collect from -- like tenants.

I hope this give you some idea who you are going to deal with. Tenants that think they are entitled and your city that only want's to create problems for a landlord not help them solve them... --47.156.xx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 4:09 AM
Message:

Make an appointment several days ahead with the water company to be there. Notify your tenant in writing.

Ask the local police to wait outside for a few minutes if they would, if you're concerned.

Go there to YOUR HOUSE and get it done. --50.107.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 4:46 AM
Message:

Also have the animal warden on standby, be sure to bill the tenant for interior repairs in the next rent cycle,it seems the city already has a well documented case of bad tenant so I would obtain copies of the dead-end service dispatch in case the habitability story arrives in eviction (I don't think it formally called eviction in PA) court if the bill is in the tenant name which would absolve you of this. More than the water bill you really should post a inspection 24 hour notice so you can get inside to observe any repairs which might be needed from ice jamming gutters or other winter problems that seem to creep in over the next couple months, and then you can see what is happening in the furnace area also - just general house care. --76.188.xxx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 4:48 AM
Message:

You have tried to do it by cooperation of the tenant now I would let the water dept turn it off,they will cooperate when they don't have any water. --72.231.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 5:00 AM
Message:

In Most Cases:

This is what happens when

your a Part Time Landlord,

Versus a Full Time, (take Action Now,) Landlord.

Don't go to bed,

with the Water Dept. in your Head,

don't do it.

--47.35.xx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by Neal [TX]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 5:13 AM
Message:

Take a axe, go to the water meter late at night, break it before the meter and complain after 2 hours that water is flowing in the street, they come shut it off, problem solved. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Neal [TX]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 5:56 AM
Message:

How about paying $500 to get rid of the squatters?? you are losing more money already. --172.58.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 6:05 AM
Message:

The squatter had been evicted twice before by her mother. Squatter was renting a home the mother owned and didn't pay rent for 2 years. Even the mother tried to pay her 50 year old squatter money, but the daughter/squatter wanted over $10,000, not $500. --47.156.xx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by cjl [NY]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 9:16 AM
Message:

It's up to you but I'm willing to bet that IF they should try to blame you for not having water - you have all of the documentation (proof) that you tried (and/or the water dept did).

I also would charge the tenant (add the charge to what they owe you) if does get turned off and it needs to be turned back on ... even if they move. --209.217.xxx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by R [OH]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 9:29 AM
Message:

Hi John,

If you do decide to go over there and use your key if you call the city water dept. I would also post a 24 hour notice to enter note on the door. Good luck.

--12.47.xx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by John [NY]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 11:05 AM
Message:

What im concerned about is it might be considered a maintainence issue cor landlord instead of tenants redponsibility for water bill. I will give him notice of my entry. Theres a chance he is moving out, and just didnt tell me. Ive had one tenant do that this month, only indication is power to be shutoff. --108.176.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 12:48 PM
Message:

Does anyone besides me think it's more than coincidence that the meter "isn't transmitting"? I'm thinking maybe there's something more going on there, like a neat little meter bypass so they don't have to pay a water bill.

I'd give notice saying, "I'll be by on Friday between 8 and 4 to do some maintenance. Please make sure your vicious dog is crated and let me know if you have any other maintenance needs." The vagueness of the time means they're probably not going to stick around. Then YOU schedule and meet with the water department.

Then again, if you want to get rid of the tenant, send them a notice in writing that you have scheduled the appointment twice and it is now their responsibility to schedule the meter replacement at a time when they can be there. I don't think anyone would fault you as long as you have documentation of your efforts. --204.210.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Ed [PA]) Posted on: Feb 14, 2018 4:44 PM
Message:

As your tenant has blown off two times already you need to be there to let the water department in. Provide notice you are going in. If tenant has the door barricaded start eviction. If you get in and the water department tells you the meter has been tampered with start eviction. If you get in and the water company sends a very large bill and the tenant doesn't pay immediately start eviction.

Learn rule #1 - The landlord is in charge the tenant is not. --72.95.xxx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Feb 16, 2018 4:50 AM
Message:

Do you have an electric hot water tank? If so you have bigger issues ahead based on not providing the correct level of encouragement. That said, you really can't put a gun to the tenants head to force the public works in.

It is time for you to find new tenants or schedule directly with public works --24.101.xxx.xxx

Water dept water shutoff (by Chris [CT]) Posted on: Feb 18, 2018 1:58 PM
Message:

You guys are making this a much bigger deal than needed.

If the tenant has an account with the water company they should be getting shut off notices. If they ignore them they will get shut off. At that point they will want water and they will fix the issue.

--24.45.xxx.xx

Water dept water shutoff (by John [NY]) Posted on: Feb 20, 2018 11:31 AM
Message:

Water bill is in my name, but tenant is suppose to pay it. I found they usually stay a year, bit paying and water dept does not shut it off for like year and half, and bill gets added onto my property taxes instead. /omorrow is the day, so ill get to go in and see if he is still there. HIS RENT was stopped for next month, so maybe he moved. --108.176.xxx.xxx

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Water dept water shutoff

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