If I have a tenant I’m subleasing to and he’s refusing to pay his rent, can I cut off the cable and internet or are they considered to be utilities?
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If I have a tenant I’m subleasing to and he’s refusing to pay his rent, can I cut off the cable and internet or are they considered to be utilities?
I can’t afford to pay our TV and internet anymore so I want to disconect them. The lease agreement never mentioned these as part of the agreement so I want to know if I can legally disconnect them since I heard that they are actually not considered utilities. Also, he was served a 3 day notice to quite and that time has passed but he’s still here. I have a court date set for next week and I also have a restraining order against him.
Asked on May 31, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You have a lot going on there. If you could hold off cutting off the services until next week I would. Although it is not really a utility in some areas cable is a necessity. I would try and reduce the services to the bare minimum package but leave them on. I am assuming that you have started an eviction proceeding against him and that is what is on next week. That is the next step. Good luck.
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