Trained Lawyer Shares What Tenant Can Do When There is Unpaid Debts in Prepaid Meter
- A lawyer shared a video to educate netizens on prepaid meters that have outstanding debts
- According to the lady, it is not the responsibility of a new tenant to pay outstanding arrears on a prepaid meter
- She said a new tenant can apply for a new prepaid meter or draw the attention of the electricity distribution company
A Nigerian lawyer elicited many reactions on TikTok after she shared a video talking about prepaid meters.
The lady spoke about prepaid meters that have debts in them before a new tenant moves into an apartment.
Source: UGC
According to the lawyer identified as Bray Esq, some new tenants are usually alarmed when they see that the prepaid meters in their new apartment are replete with debts.
Bray said:
"Who Pays the Old Utility Bills? You just moved into your new apartment, excited to settle in—only to discover the DISCO refuses to reconnect power until you clear an old ₦250,000 bill left behind by the former tenant."
However, she said it is not the responsibility of the new tenant to pay the electricity debts accumulated by the former tenant.
She said the new tenant can apply for a new prepaid meter or draw the attention of the electricity distribution company.
Her words:
"But here’s the law: You are not responsible for arrears you didn’t incur. Courts in Nigeria have held that electricity debts are personal to the consumer who used the power, not the landlord or incoming tenant."
Source: TikTok
Watch the video below:
Reactions as lawyer speaks on unpaid electricity debts
@beauty said:
"This is what I am facing in my lodge, we even pay 13k each to fix it, this is a year and 9 months now, the light has not been fixed and the landlord has refused to refund. Pls living in the apartment over time to cover up. I hope it's not an offense because that is what I am planning to do."
@Ugandan boy said:
"If previous tenant ddnt settle it’s the landlord."
@NwaOkafor said:
"I done pay my own finish glory be to God, PHCN no dey help matter."
@SIQ2089 said:
"Reason I asked them to disconnect their light."
@Mc okpe pikin said:
"Landlord should pay, because before the former tenant pack out the landlord should have checked."
@Vicosman said:
"Some tenants are aware but desperately in need of accommodation but decide to pack in before resolving the issue with the landlord."
@jaybee said:
"How are you supposed to pay another person's debt if not that we are in a country of anyhowness?"
@Ifedimmanah said:
"Nah nah. This will work if all houses are metered. Imagine receiving 180k as electricity bills for a two bedroom apartment on estimated billing. Who will pay 180k monthly. Government should fight discos first."
Nigerian lady laments as landlord increases rent
In a related story reported by Legit.ng, a Nigerian lady shared a video lamenting that her landlord had increased her shop rent astronomically.
In the video, the businesswoman said she came to her shop on a particular day only to receive the landlord's letter.
In the letter which she posted online, the landlord stated that he was increasing the shop rent from N250k to N350k.
Source: Legit.ng
