Question
Tenant or landlord: Who is responsible for unpaid oil bill?
We've had a tenant in our rental house for 6 months. When they moved in, we had a signed service contract with the local oil company for the furnace. I made sure that the contract was "service only", but they told me that I needed to require the tenants to get oil from them. I did not put this in the lease, but the tenant did order oil from them. I got a call today from the oil co. threatening legal action and implying that we owe the unpaid money, because we "guaranteed" that it would be paid when we signed up for the service contract. Of course, I never would have agreed to this. I guess I am a little unclear on the law, because I never saw this in my research on landlord/tenant responsibility in Connecticut. Any thoughts on how to handle this? Thanks. The lease that the tenants signed clearly states that they are responsible for paying all utilities. But the oil company is stating that since we have a service contract (to maintain the furnace, not oil delivery!) that we are also legally responsible for the unpaid oil bills.
6 months ago - 6 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
The law is that they (renters) pay for the oil. However, as the oil went into your property you can also be held accountable. The oil company can lien your house. You need to get the tenant to step up to the plate and pay their own bills.
by Landlord
6 months ago
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Other Answers
Since you are the landlord and your tenants did not sign a contract saying they would pay for it, you are responsible.
by rstanley1987- 6 months ago
ask the oil company where it says so in the agreement you signed. my bet is that it doesn't and you don't owe for it. *** of course, they would arguably have the right to take back the unburned oil the tenants didn't pay for .... so maybe you want to offer them something for the unburned oil still in the tank.
by Spock (rhp)- 6 months ago
This is the deal irregardless of the lease agreement between you and the tenant, if the service contract signed between you and the oil company guarantees any type of service to the property i.e. service or filling tank you are liable, your option then is to sue the tenant for the monies Side note: they are well within their rights to refuse future service/ filling of the oil tank at that property until the outstanding bill is paid, so even if the contract signed by you does not state such you may have to pay the bill in order to have oil delivered to the residency in the future
by goz1111- 6 months ago
The party that is responsible for paying for the oil is the party that ordered the oil. It is the party that contracted with the oil company for the purchase of the oil. If that was you, then you are responsible for paying. If it was the tenants, then the tenants are responsible. YOUR lease with YOUR tenants does not bind the oil company. If you were the ones that contracted for the oil, then you are responsible, to the oil company at least. You can then charge the tenants yourself per the terms of your lease. You should also double check your "service" contract. Ask the oil company to point out the sentence or sentences in your service contract that state you are required to pay.
by Mr Placid- 6 months ago
The fact is, the oil company can hold you liable. There is likely a clause in the service agreement regarding this - read the fine print thoroughly. Your lease agreement with the tenants puts the cost of oil on the tenants. The tenants' lease does not affect your contract with the oil company. You pay the oil company and then either deduct the oil costs from the tenant's security deposit or sue them in Small Claims court.
by Trouble- 6 months ago