What do I do if my roommates dont pay their share of electric?

[Anonymous]

Its in my name. I have three roommates and they are strangers. Anyway about a week ago i told them its due this Friday. Still none have paid and two days are left.

[Goforit1010]

Time to have a meeting with them to remind them of their "agreed" responsibilities. Let them know, if they don't pay, the electric bill, you plan to turn it off for their rooms until they pay their share. I would get a lock for the breaker box and turn it off during the day and power on your room and the bathroom in the evening.

If they refuse to pay, as hard as this is, take them to small claims court requesting they pay court costs if they lose. Show the judge the agreement y'all signed and their complete disregard of them paying their share for the utilities. The bad thing about that, is you'll have to live with these people until the lease is up.

[doe9de]

This isn't the most ideal way to do things but if your ok with out electricity for a while only pay your share of the electricity bill. When the power goes out it will be there own fault you would have done your share.

[Asker]

I heard thats illegal to let the power go off because its akin to trying to evict my roommates and making them live in unlivable conditions.

Also how can i let a bill go unpaid in my own name? That is just dumb because they will not be effected just me and my future.

[doe9de]

It is illegal if your the landlord. If your the tenant it's totally fine to stop paying the electric. As for how can you let it go unpaid very easily. Do you have an agreement with them to pay the electric you can take them to small claims cort. It really won't affect your future much like you say. It's an electric bill as long as you don't mind living without electric for a while the worst that will happen is it becomes over due. As I said it's not an ideal way but it will work. They won't last long before there begging to charge there phones and use the lights.

[Asker]

I dont have a plainly written out contract but we verbally agreed and i have texts where I've told them how much the bill is and their shares (its split evenly) and they didn't object. Can i just tell coned right away to shut it off instead if not paying?

[doe9de]

Well I'm not really sure how your electric company operates and what your options are with them. Usually you can have it temporary shut of for electrical work and such Just tell your roommates that it's because the bill wasn't paid or whatever. Do whatever you feel is best.

[Asker]

Thank you. I can look into this more if they dont pay. I feel more empowered.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Contact who is the Landlord ASAP and explain what is going on

[Asker]

True.. thanks... They must help me. I can tell the agency (of my Agent as well since they manage the apartments.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

@Asker ASAP contact whoever runs the apartments and it's not fair to leave you homeless cause they don't want to be fair and your welcome

[exitseven]

If they don't pay, shut the circuit breakers off in their rooms. They will get the message.

[Iron_Man]

Talk to them if they don’t pay get them out of there

[Asker]

I have no power to kickthem out. We all are on the lease.

[Iron_Man]

Then get out of there as soon as possible don’t rely on roommates they will always let you down. Take your name off of the bill Before you start getting bad credit

[Asker]

Is it legal to let the electric just shut off? I heard i can't do that.

[Iron_Man]

Just get it paid off then turn it off and take it off of your name. They are showing you
no respect they’re basically sticking it to you

[Asker]

Is it legal to turn it off? Could they sue me?

[Asker]

there's two days left forthem before the bill is due and they know this and yet not one has given me the money. Should i text them reminding them?

[Iron_Man]

Just pay the bill off and tell them to take you off of the Electric bill list and start planning to move out those people are doing you wrong

[Asker]

I mean they have a few days until they have to pay me. But if they dont pay, then they would be doing me wrong. The thing is its hard to find someone to take my room and also to find a new place to live.

[Iron_Man]

They’re taking advantage of you you can’t put up with that you have no choice

[Iron_Man]

Why do you have to have so many other roommates can you make it on your own

[Asker]

Im poor. Also how are they taking advantage? They have a few das before they have to pay me.

[Iron_Man]

If everything is OK why would you make a question about it complaining? They are probably Not gonna pay you move back into your parents house if you can’t make it on your own and you have to depend on so many other people

[Asker]

I have nobody to turn to. I don't know if they will pay or not. My last roommates sometimes paud the person who did electric bill on the day before it was due or the day of. So these roommates might be lazy or procrastinating.

[Iron_Man]

I’m sorry to hear this next time pick and choose better roommates that are more stable and more professional and more responsible

[Asker]

Well its not up to me really. The agent choses the roommates. Its not easy finding a place to live period.

[Iron_Man]

Where do you live what country That’s not how things work in America

[Asker]

NYC.

[Iron_Man]

Hmmm

[Anonymous]

Sell their stuff till they pay.