I just want to rent my property. Should I change the utilities bill to tenant name?

will it be troublesome if the tenant stopped after 1-2 years and then I need to deal with TNB and Syabas again?

or I just remained in my name and facing risk of tenant not paying and need to forfeit the deposits.

kindly advice =)

thank you.

Either way landlord don't win.

My way of doing it:

- Maintain own name for utilities
- Send utility bills to tenants every month
- Pay on behalf of tenants
- If things goes south, I have the utility deposit to cover and IC of tenant to report police

To me I don't think changing the utilities to the tenants name is worth the hassle, both for me and also to the tenants. Anyway even if the name is under the tenant and he forfeited, your unit will be impacted as well.

This post has been edited by victorian: Sep 29 2023, 11:53 AM

Debt is not a crime. Is a commercial disputes.

Otherwise, many bank loan defaulters would have landed in lokap.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 29 2023, 12:07 PM

Well it's the last resort. I don't think anyone wants to be reported to the police, commercial disputes or not.

Anyone can lodged a police report and no one can stop the lodger but don't waste police resources for reports they won't give a second look or he will just shred it.

If the tenant don't have the money, what choice does he has ?

He can used the whatever money he owed to pay for his new rental.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 29 2023, 12:20 PM

but at least it wont affect my CTOS / CCRIS right?

Landlord don't clear the outstanding, there will be no future connections unless you want let it vacant forever. So ctos doesnt come in.

Not sure why are you so against people lodging police report.

If the tenant has overdue utility bill, you will need to lodge a police report for eviction anyway.

So, if I collect one month deposits for utilities instead of half month ...will it be better?

okok. so, tenants name under utilities , and if got outstanding....none of my problems right

You lodge a report once the landlord gets a court order. That is what the sergeant will tell you to do first.

You know your rights but you must also know the procedures of eviction.

This post has been edited by mini orchard: Sep 29 2023, 12:29 PM

Your utilities will still be barred until the tenant clear his outstanding...

So it's still your problem...

Yes. .

U can maintain the name but do monitor the usage with the app. Once hit certain amount, call the tenant and query. It they pay then ok. If not, red flag.

Yes now tnb and airselangor can give you daily breakdown. Once it hit an alarming level, check with your tenants.

At least they know you are watching closely.

My neighbour next door always using the ACs and her electricity bill always above 1.5k. The landlord would call her and if no answer, he will drop by to check. Yesterday, TNB came to investigate because the usage above 1.5k constantly for 7 months. Suspect could be bitcoin mining.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/5157557?author=mini%20orchard

Nope, tenant's bill is tied to the property, the outstanding bill would still become your problem.
TNB would still come to your property and cut off the power to your unit unless you settle all the outstanding bill for the property.
It is advisable to keep it under your name so you actually know the usage and total outstanding rather than enjoying bill shock of tens of thousands after the tenant left.

This post has been edited by joelleow: Sep 29 2023, 12:52 PM

No difference, if utility account in tenant name and tenant defaulted, owner still can't get a new reconnection to the unit as well.

So, just double up deposits, keep it under owner name. You can cut/ terminate account if required.

If landed, pay tnb to check on tampering before you return any deposits

This post has been edited by jojolicia: Sep 29 2023, 01:05 PM

if didnt pay, forfeit deposits and prepare for eviction? because it is breach of agreement right ?