Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Missouri

Tenant wont transfer or pay utilities

I have a tenant that moved in during the month of May. Since then I have been asking her to transfer the gas and electric bill in her name. The lease states that she is responsible for these utilities. The bill is still in my name and I have been paying enough to keep them on for the last 4 months. She is on disability and receives a check every month. Every month she promises to pay me for the utilities and to get them transferred. This month the electric bill was outrageous and I can�t afford to pay it. I received a disconnect notice yesterday. In this situation is it legal for me to let the utilities get shut off being that they are in my name and haven�t received any payment from her?


Asked on 8/17/05, 4:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony DeWitt Bartimus, Frickleton Robertson & Gorny, PC

Re: Tenant wont transfer or pay utilities

You could potentially be liable for "constructive eviction" if you let the utilities get shut off. I would urge you to tell the person who lives there she has to reimburse you for the electricity every month, or she is going to have to move. Do you have a lease?

You probably want to get a lawyer to help you get out of this mess.

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Answered on 8/17/05, 4:57 pm


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