Utilities are included in the rent payment for all tenants. If utilities are missing, tenants may be eligible for reimbursement.
Per the lease agreement, utilities (electric/gas, water, and wifi) are the responsibility of the property manager/landlord.
The utilities at my home were not set up when I moved in. What are the next steps?
Utilities are included in the rent payment for all tenants. If utilities are not set up prior to move-in, tenants are eligible for reimbursement. Should a utility not be set up upon move-in, the tenant is eligible for a prorated reimbursement credit of $2.00 per day per missing utility (only in cases where the accountable party was negligent in the setup of said utility).
In order for this credit to be approved, tenants will have to complete the Tenant Reimbursement Request Form with all relevant information, including the moving-in date, any receipts, etc. Once approved, the reimbursement credit will be charged to the landlord and applied to the tenant’s account to go toward their next rent payment. Follow these steps to address the issue and qualify for reimbursement:
- Notify the Property Manager/Landlord: Contact the property manager/landlord immediately to report the missing utility. Provide details such as the type of utility and your move-in date.
- Document the Issue: Keep a record of all communications, including emails and messages, with the property manager/landlord regarding the missing utility.
- Complete the Tenant Reimbursement Request Form: Include all relevant information such as your move-in date, any receipts, and a detailed description of the issue. Submit the form to the property manager/landlord.
- Approval Process: Once your request is reviewed and approved, the reimbursement credit will be charged to the landlord and applied to your account to go toward your next rent payment.
What should I do if there’s a utility outage during my tenancy?
From time to time, some homes may experience a utility outage due to issues with the service provider. If you experience a utility outage during your tenancy, follow these steps to address the issue and potentially qualify for reimbursement:
- Report the Outage: Notify the property manager/landlord immediately about the outage, providing details such as the type of utility affected, the date and time the outage began, and any initial troubleshooting steps taken.
- Document the Issue: Keep a record of the outage, including dates, times, and any correspondence with the property manager/landlord or utility providers. While awaiting resolution keep receipts for any expenses incurred due to the outage.
- Complete the Tenant Reimbursement Request Form: Include all relevant information such as your move-in date, any receipts, and a detailed description of the issue. Submit the form to the property manager/landlord. If the outage is due to the accountable party’s negligence, tenants may be eligible for a prorated reimbursement credit of $2.00 per day per affected utility.
- Approval Process: Once your request is reviewed and approved, the reimbursement credit will be charged to the landlord and applied to your account to go toward your next rent payment.