Who pays the Utility bills?

[Diamond07]

Utility bills do not need to be added to rents. Water and light charges can be added though. I see no reason why a WiFi charge will be added to rent. Such bills varies for each month. A tenant has to sort themselves regarding that.

 

[Oliver 20]

Any individual who puts their name(s) on a utility bill will eventually be liable for any extraordinary charges. Different names on a bill will put duty on all names on the bill if installment isn't satisfied; in any case on the off chance that one pays their part while another doesn't.

 

[Dowenship]

No... Assuming the utility bills are paid yearly then you can add the bills to the rents but utility bills come up every month so therefore it should be paid monthly.
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[Adebola]

If you own a property that you currently occupy, or own a property that is currently empty, you will be responsible for any bills or charges that may apply.
Or in situation whereby Where your property is rented out to a tenant, the tenancy agreement should make it clear who will be responsible for payments (this may include measures such as changing the name on bills, or receiving payments directly from tenants).
Anyone who puts their name(s) on a utility bill will ultimately be responsible for any outstanding charges. Multiple names on a bill will place responsibility on all names on the bill if payment is not fulfilled; regardless if one pays their part while another does not.

 

[Blessedsam60]

This is a very serious discussion as I know so many estate agents quarrelling their tenets on the conditions of utility bills. Most estate management allows the bill to be paid by them and calculated into the yearly payment for the tenant while some allows tenants to take care of the bills.

 

[Bholozy]

The tenants should pat the bill because they consume those bills and the bills are not used by the landlord. The landlord should only charge utility bill if it is fixed but since it varies and charged according to how it is consumed, the tenants should pay, this will allow them use it according to what they can afford

 

[tyrim88]

I think the utility bills should be paid by the occupant of the property.
Utility bills like electricty payments should be incured by the occupant of the facility,because the occupant is the one that make use of such utility,except for water usage which can be excuse.

 

[Bethel Victor]

Utility bills mostly are paid by house owners, but in a situation where you have tenants, each tenant is responsible for his bill, most utility bills are calculated by a prepaid meter, and some are like a monthly subscription.

 

[Prettyjanie]

The answer is very simple. The consumer should pay the utility bills. As a tenants, when you rent a property, the responsibility of paying for the utility bills is on you the reason being that, you are the consumer. A landlord cannot charge in advance, what the tenant will consume.

 

[MarieArie]

@Kamon c4 you've said it all in your country. Looking at it carefully you know utilities charged to the property are consumed by the Tenant and not the Landord, hence the bill should be paid by the tenant. Also, utility charge is not fixed, it might fluctuate on monthly basis making difficult to charge with rent. It's possible to charge utility with tent on serviced apartment but not rented apartments.

@maventiger, you're correct. The tenants are actually the ones consuming the electricity and not the landlord. Hence tenants should be the one to pay for their consumption.

Also, I have got some scenarios where landlord pay ahead of the number of years the tenants will stay in the house. This fee would have been included in charges.

 

[Caali]

Only well enough to replace what has worn out with more efficient appliances.
Perhaps also by being smart enough to switch off what is not in use, including unneeded lights fans, heaters or heat outlets

 

[Hasan Raza]

It relies upon the understanding endorsed between the inhabitant and the landowner. There where the landowner addresses the service charges yet cost of lofts will in general be higher in those regions. There are likewise condos where inhabitants handle there.

 

[Damscooguns73]

Concerning who pays the utility bills. Well, in my country, most landlord dont charge utility bills with rent when a new tenant acquire a house, they only charge money for agreement and commision, then after packing in, the tenant pays the utility bills, and it will be shared among the tenants and landlord

 

[IamDozzy]

This depends on the agreement the landlord has with the tenants. If the rent is going to be expensive with the utility bills in it, then it should be separated and the utility bill sorted by the respective tenants. In my country, tenants usually pay the utility bill, it is not included in the rent.

 

[KvngMurphy]

That depends on the agreement or contract signed by the landlord and his tenants. In some cases, the landlord takes care of the utility bills while in some other places, the tenants service their utility bills

 

[gbadebo9]

In our area it is the husband that pays the the utility bill. The utility bill is in various way.We can start from power bill, water bill, rent bill and others. The rate at which power bill is increasing is at the astronomical way to extend that in the last 6months the power has increases by 300% which citizens ate complained bitterly. Water bill is also not easy to pay like wise increases in house rent and the government did not do anything to alleviate the suffering.

 

[Tinaconcept]

In our own part of the country the tenant is the person who pays for his own utility bill every month. In some rentage the bill is shared among the tenants while in some cases the landlord pays for them directly alone and then have to add the utility bill to the tenants house rent on yearly basis

 

[maventiger]

Only well enough to replace what has worn out with more efficient appliances.
Perhaps also by being smart enough to switch off what is not in use, including unneeded lights fans, heaters or heat outlets

@Caali this will help reduce the unit consumed in the apartment. I see no reason while one should leave some electrical appliances on when not in use.
Reduction in unit consumption leads to lesser charge on the meter.

 

[Usman Sattar]

Not usually. As long as it is the tenant’s name on the bill, and it is stated in the tenancy agreement that tenants are responsible for utilities, landlords are not liable for unpaid bills left over by tenants.

However, as a landlord, there are some steps you will need to take to protect yourself if you find yourself in this tricky situation;

Always tell the local council when a new tenant moves in. You will need to provide the names of the new tenants and the contact details of the previous tenants so they can get in touch if needs be.
Inform the energy suppliers of the property of any change in tenancy (this includes gas, electricity and water)
Encourage new tenants to change the name on the utility bills as soon as possible.

 

[Keibah]

In my country, tenants pay the utility. The bills are nowhere near unified to be charged with rent. All you pay for is the house, every other expense is for you to cater for. If you want, you can take all you paid for while leaving.