Money Moral Dilemma: My tenants left without cancelling their broadband - should I keep using it?

josie

Grumpy_chap said:

Not a relevant analogy as using the light does not deprive another or cost them money.

Exactly a relevant analogy as in the same way you're using a utility that someone else is paying for which is being supplied and paid for by therm whether you use it or not.

steve866

I don’t have any legal background so I don’t know if using their broadband connection is going to lower your chances of getting the rent that is owed (which isn’t a moral question anyway). I would say that I would absolutely no guilt or moral issue of using an existing broadband connection which is not going to cost the ex-tenant any additional money because it’s in use. Crack on!

JustKeepGoing_2

The use of something that does not belong to you is neither morally nor legally acceptable. Just as purloining money you found in the street would be stealing by finding. You should pursue your tenants for their wrong doing and not simply pretend that you have some ill conceived right to benefit my their stupidity.

REJP

You can take your ex tenants to Small Claims Court to get your rent.
However if you use their money for broadband without telling them, you will lose your claim due to being a thief.
This is not a moral dilemma.

Shibey

I don’t “think“ that you can call and cancel, in their name, while they choose to continue paying the bill.

brujicita

No I believe it’s theft and possibly fraud 

superquark

Loving all the people taking the moral high ground here 🤣. The tenants left owing thousands and were stupid enough not to cancel the broadband before they left.   It's not like the landlord can cancel it for them.  Should he contact them?  "Are you going to pay back the huge rent arrears that are causing me direct financial detriment?  Oh and btw, I'd hate you to be out of pocket to the tune of £20 a month, so best cancel the broadband..."

Is using their broadband a "good" thing to do?  Obviously not.  It's also not a terrible crime in the circumstances. Even if it is a crime, it'll never go to court.  And good luck proving the theft if it did.   Crack on mate, you've earned it 👍.  

Sheepster

Having been on the receiving end of similar scum tenants who think paying the rent is less important than stocking up on Carling and going to Blackpool then hark all the “oh so moral” lot commenting. I’d log in if you can and remove the connection password, let everyone around log in if they want.

theartfullodger

Giving your esteemed ex-tenants a public example on this open forum of your money-grubbing cheating and the moral equivalent of theft is yet another example of stupid landlords digging more holes to put decent landlords in a bad light.

Come on, do the decent honourable British thing and pay for what you should.  Maintain your position on the moral high ground 

Best wishes to all.  Artful, landlord since 2000

bernboy

It’s simple, keep a note of how long you use it and then note that you will give them an equivalent credit when they pay the rent owed. Not illegal and quite fair, you have no intent to defraud or steal