WWYD? Tenant situation

We have a basement apt. We have had the same tenant for almost two years. She is great. Quiet for the most part, never any issues etc.

She lost her job in December. She was upfront with us about it. She is never late on her rent so we haven't really had an issue with that either.

Because she lost her job she is now home all day. So today I am going through my National Grid bills I realized that they have gone up $80 a month!!! It correlates with when she lost her job and started staying home all day. Both DH and I work so we are not home.

WWYD? Should I ask her to be careful with the electric? Should I raise her rent?

I don't want to lose her as a tenant but it is a lot of $$$ a month.

Were rates raised and this has nothing to do with her???

Message edited 5/15/2010 10:18:11 AM.

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

I am not sure about rate increases, do you have a previous bill you can compare it to?

But I would mention the spike in the electric bill and ask her to be more conservative. I don't know what your lease terms are but I would def give her a chance to correct the situation before increasing the rent.

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

I think it depends how the rent situation is - if the electric is included in the least there may not be much can you do. I'm wondering what they are doing during the day that would use $80 bucks worth. I would casually mention that the bill has skyrocket the past few months and ask her if she has any idea why...

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

i would contact LIPA and get the usage for a month when she was working and compare it with the usage now that she's home. If there's a big jump, then YUP, it's her! I'm assuming there's no a/c, or she's just not running it yet. It will be worse in the summer!

side note: we had a landlord very rudely try to tell us (on the 25th of the month) that effective the 1st (5 days later), our rent would increase by A HUNDRED DOLLARS to cover the LIPA bill. She assumed the extra usage was ME home with the baby, meanwhile her unemployed husband was on his computer with the TV in the background all day. I was always out with the baby- I made it a point to go out every day.

We didn't pay the increase --- instead, we issued them a letter that we were vacating the premises. And DH *MAY* have left everything we own plugged in and ON that month.

Message edited 5/15/2010 11:38:31 AM.

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

Work with your tenant to reduce electric consumption though out your home. Get a LIPA energy audit to see where you all can save. We all have to conserve. Working together doesn't point fingers at one thing.

Good Luck,
Arthur

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

I am a landlord so I understand the value of having a great tenant who pays rent on time. To me, that would outweigh the $80/month increase. I would definitely call National Grid or LIPA (I can't remember who you said) first before you said anything to the tenant. Then, if you know it is her, approach her in a way that it seems as if all of you need to work on reducing energy expenditure.

Considering she has been out of work and continues to pay rent on time, I would cut her some slack. You don't want to have to deal with a tenant moving out, finding a new tenant that is conducive to your home that you live in and then hope they are as great as your current tenant. That is such a huge hassle and your sanity should definitely be worth the $80/month. I would wait until she finds employment again, then revisit the issue (if it is still an issue).

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

just another point of view- the national grid and lipa bills went up this year for my moms house and usage has been the same or less than last year. SO it could be their rates increasing and not due to the tenant.

Re: WWYD? Tenant situation

Thanks for all your input! I will call them to find out exactly why it is costing so much more money. She is a great tenant and I would hate to lose her over $80. Electric/heat etc is included in her lease terms. DH says that because of that we just have to suck it up.