Tenant has not paid his water bill in 5 months

Finances
Real Estate (72)
Tax Deductions (4)

Tenant has not paid his water bill in 5 months

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Question:

One of my tenants has not paid their water bill since August last year. The water company sent me a delinquency letter stating a balance of $200 including late fees. The water will be turned off in 5 days if not paid by then. There is also the threat that they will file a lien against my property if I as the landlord do not pick up the bill. What should I do? Just pay and evict?

Answer:

I do not like to evict out of fear that the angry tenant will destroy the house or at least try to harm it and me in retaliation.

Keep in mind that it be not legal to live in a house with the water turned off. So call your city's Health Department and find out what they have to say about a house without utilities. (Has the electricity been turned off already?)

If you are lucky, the cops may go over there, and ask your tenant out of the house on the spot.

This is a great way to get some use out of your tax money, using public city/county services to protect your property.

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