question re: renter and unused propane

sticky_burr · #41 12/12/10, 08:32 AM

well IF he paid for said fuel? and the tank was (as full as they can) filled? have them come and refill it and anything thats put in gallon/therm is what he used. re IF he paid for all the fuel credit what is left in the tank. IF the 20% or what ever he had paid for in the previous month unless when he came in you said "the tank is full / half full" return it i that condition. IF its colder now than when he moved in you will get a small amount extra in the tank we will call that wear n tear

IF he paid for the 20% left before the last fill and IF you paid for the last refill IF it was filled. then top off the tank refill the tank to calculate how much had been used how much was used or left from 20% was the amount used or credited

Joshie · #42 12/12/10, 07:02 PM

I'd be sure to talk to the propane company. I'd make sure they know that your renter does not have the right to resell it.

There's no way you can accurately pay him for the propane. The fairest way, in my opinion, would be to charge him a monthly charge and give him the difference. For example, would a $200/month be appropriate? $150? I'd estimate the cost in your favor. Thing is.... 20% in the summer is more than 20% in the winter.

JanS · #43 12/12/10, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

Sheesh, glad I don't have to rent from some of y'all. Even if the agreement didn't specifically cover the propane, I wouldn't want to take advantage of a renter if they paid for way more gas than they used. As long as they paid their rent in full, gave notice they were moving, and left the place in the same shape as they found it, why keep "their" propane??

I know, I don't get it either. If the young man paid for it, it's his. On the other hand, he can't demand anyone buy it from him. The owner has the choice to buy it or not, the renter has the choice to sell it to the owner, have the company pick it up, or leave it.

JanS · #44 12/12/10, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowshoehair

First post:

"If I had not had the tank filled, he would be pretty cold by now."

And further down:

"I -- I had it filled, in my name; my account. It was down to about 20% when they came to fill it in Nov/late Oct. It was not empty."

Well, now I'm puzzled. Whose pocket did the money actually come out of?

snowshoehair · #45 12/12/10, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JanS

Well, now I'm puzzled. Whose pocket did the money actually come out of?

Now that I read the thread again, Jan, I feel confused too. I took those comments made by Doc to mean he purchased the propane, but when I read thru his posts again just now, he says the account is in his name and he had it filled...but does not say he paid for the propane.

The propane company probably would not fill a tank based on the renter calling them, but if the owner (Doc) told them to come out and fill it on his account, and then the owner had the renter pay for it....well, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax.

oneokie · #46 12/12/10, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

The account is in my name. He pays me -- he did NOT set up an account or pay system or anything of the sort with the propane company. He has nothing to do with it. As a renter, he pays for the heat!

I -- I had it filled, in my name; my account. It was down to about 20% when they came to fill it in Nov/late Oct. It was not empty.

In my mind he has no authority to tell the propane company to do anything. I agree that I should probably pay him something, but again I ask: how to figure it?

Answer these questions:
Did the renter reimburse you for the filling of the tank?
Is the propane cost figured into the monthly rent?

If the renter reimbursed you for the fillup, you owe him for what is in the tank exceeding the 20% that was in the tank prior to the fill up.

If the renter did not reimburse you for the fill up, you owe him nothing.

IMO, you set yourself up for this mess by telling the renter there would be a 3month trial period, and then having the tank filled.

To figure it, you need to know the size of the tank, 250? 500? 20% of 500 is 100, if you filled it, that would be another 300 gallons, making 400 total after filling. (most propane/LPG Co's will not fill over 80% due to liability. Each 5% that the gauge shows is equal to 25 gallons of propane.

GingerN · #47 12/13/10, 09:29 AM

ASSUME: 250 GAL TANK X80% CAPACITY=200 GALL AVAILABLE SPACE
20% OF THAT SPACE WAS IN TANK= 40 GAL
200-40=160 GAL AVAILABLE SPACE WHEN RENTER MOVED IN

Look at the tank now. What is the percentage showing? Subtract that amount from the 100% (200 gallons cost)

I just put in 100 gallons-cost me 233.87 with tax etc. If he used 10% of 200 gallons and you already had 20% in there, then reimburse him for 327.41 based on my prices as an example.