Tshwane Municipality

**Chrisjan B** · 01-Jul-11, 09:58 PM

Dave this is exactly that bugs me - why are the landlord responsible for the tenants outstanding bills? I am thinking to install a prepaid meter but first need to pay the outstanding amount of about R 2600-00 plus R 2650-00 for the meter. The tenant only paid the deposit and nothing further since he moved in (October 2010). According to the statement the municipality charged him about R 580-00 interest on the account but it beats me why it is not cut off. According to the lawyer it is cheaper and better to install the prepaid meter because the municipality charges an exorbitant amount to have the electricity cut off.

To top it all - this person is a legal advisor...

**AndyD** · 02-Jul-11, 01:36 AM

If the tenant is a professional you could try emailing him at his work explaining the issue. Casually mention that you might accidentally include his work colleagues/bosses etc as recipients of the next email

**Justloadit** · 02-Jul-11, 10:15 AM

This makes the legal fraternity look bad. Who cares that he is a legal adviser, it does not give him the right to commit fraud!

The problem in many cases is that we walk away because it is cheaper, and this individuals just get more bolder and do bigger fraud. They should be stopped at the first step!

**Chrisjan B** · 02-Jul-11, 12:19 PM

It is my intention to try to stop him, but there is a limit - legal fees, new prepaid meter, paying his arrears electricity account etc. If possible I will have him blacklisted and named and shamed.

**AmithS** · 04-Jul-11, 04:08 PM

You could also try to black list him with the tenants network(I think thats what it is called) or something similar. Thats what my agent did for me with my problem tenant!

**Chrisjan B** · 04-Jul-11, 06:51 PM

Thanks I am thinking about that, just want to get it out of the flat first...
Legal bill arrived today...

**Phil Cooper** · 05-Jul-11, 08:33 AM

The above is the reason that many municipalities now refuse to put utility accounts in the name of tenants.

They bill the owner, who in turn has to claim from the tenant.

While prepaid in an option, I know someone who put in prepaid - the tenant bypassed it, and he only found out when he was "nailed" some time later.