Who is liable to pay the gas bill..the tenant or the landlord?

Question

I recently started a job as property manager for a commercial plaza in Ontario. Before I started, a tenant vacated their unit, and an existing tenant took the space as a storage unit for 6 months. The gas company had an incorrect address, so the bills weren't paid. Now that they have the correct address, we have been given 8 months worth of bills to pay. I gave the tenant the bills for the 6 months that he occupied the unit. He refuses to pay, claiming that he didn't use the heat and he didn't sign a contract with the gas company. Who is responsible for the gas bills for the six months that he was in the unit?

Answer 1

It depends upon whose name they are in.  If they are in the tenant's name then the tenant is responsible it doesn't matter if he lives there or not.  But if your name is on them then you are responsible.

Answer 2

I hope you have a lease, and it reads that he is responsible for paying the heat.  It doesn't matter if he has no contract with the gas company if the company bills you, and he is responsible for paying it, IF it is stated in your lease that way.  If it does state that he is responsible for paying the heating bill in your lease, I would also add a clause in there stating that it  is payable as rent, and carries the same penalties as un-paid or late rent....meaning eviction.  If you have nothing in your lease about him paying the gas bill, then I would say you have to pay it.

Answer 3

Was there a signed lease involved. It should say in the lease who is responsible to pay. If that is something that is not in the lease take this as a lesson and add it.