What were some of the most commonly asked questions about RUBS and the law? Note: the following information is not legal advice nor intended to replace the advice of a local attorney who is an expert in landlord-tenant laws in your area. It is for educational purposes only.
Q:
What utilities can I bill for using RUBS?
It depends on your local laws. Many municipalities or states prohibit billing for electricity or gas, unless it’s for a common hot water heater or boiler. But you can, generally speaking, bill for water and sewer, trash pickup, landscaping, shared internet access/Wi-Fi and cable, pest control and other utilities. Always check with your local public utility commission office and your local attorney to make sure you are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
A:
Q:
What can I do if a resident doesn’t pay their utility bill through RUBS?
A:
As with any other unpaid debt, you have options.
• You can serve a notice to “pay or quit” or “perform or quit.”
• You may, depending on state laws, be able to withhold an unpaid utility balance from the resident’s security deposit.
• You can also take them to small claims court or
• Assign the debt to a third-party debt collection agency.
While Livable and similar platforms don’t collect those debts or report to credit bureaus, we do assess late fees each month the balance is overdue, so that should be part of your calculations.
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