Can a landlord refuse to pay utilities if the bill is sent to him?
If a rental unit has its own meter then the tenant is responsible for establishing service directly with the utility company. The landlord is not involved. Your question suggests that when your tenant stopped paying the utility company they sent the bill to you, presumably because you own the rental unit. If that is the case then you should refuse to pay it since it is not your bill. That bill is between your tenant and the utility company and has nothing to do with you. There are exceptions in some places where the landlord might be responsible for a tenants unpaid bills. Check with your utility company. On occasion, tenants will forget to pay utility bills---or, in some cases, skip out on paying them altogether after vacating a unit. Regardless of the circumstance, many utility companies will ultimately hold you responsible for paying the bill. In fact, many utility companies only offer service to rental properties under the condition that the owner pays for missed payments. While this may seem unfair, the AAOA says the mandate puts more onus on owners and management companies to make sure they take utility payments seriously. To counteract this contractual language utility companies require from landlords, it may be wise for owners and managers to put language of their own in a lease agreement with a tenant stating outright they are responsible for all utilities they pay individually. By doing so, landlords can legally protect themselves from becoming liable. Utilities: Who Should Pay for What and Why Utilities: Who Pays for Them? | Real Property Management National Headquarters