Problem in Illinois

[Tamarasherrill]

I’m currently located in Illinois I signed a years lease with 2 other people. 1 person left and broke the lease and it’s just us 2 now. Problem is he has the gas and lights and water in his name. I have a 1 month old and toddler he has had our gas shut off that powers our heat. The low tonight is the 40s and did I mention I have a newborn that needs to stay warm??? We also have no not water to bathe my baby’s. Is this legal being his name is on the lease with us? It’s a Saturday and we can’t have anything turned on until Monday. Please help.

 

[FarmerJ]

Tamara at this point about all you can do is either go stay with a friend or do your best to just tough it out until you can get a call into the gas company and the electric company , If you still have lights on then you can borrow from friends or just about any one who will loan you several potable electric heaters. Since its a weekend there isn't much more you can do. Next time around ALL roommates names should be on the electric and gas bills .

 

[bcr229]

You can heat water in the microwave. Just make sure it's not too hot for your baby's bathwater.

Lowes and/or Home Depot have a small electric space heater that costs about $15 that will keep a bedroom warm and they'll be open for another hour or so. It should get the job done until Monday if you can't borrow a heater.

 

[adjusterjack]

Next time around ALL roommates names should be on the electric and gas bills .

A better alternative: Never live with roommates.

 

[FarmerJ]

Even a coffee pot can make enough hot water to carefully add some cool water to it in a sink with a stopper in it to give a infant a quick bath and same with you doing a PTA wash up at the sink too.

 

[Tamarasherrill]

A better alternative: Never live with roommates.

Well the other 2 roommates are my mom and her boy friend. He’s the one who left and broke it.

 

[Tamarasherrill]

Tamara at this point about all you can do is either go stay with a friend or do your best to just tough it out until you can get a call into the gas company and the electric company , If you still have lights on then you can borrow from friends or just about any one who will loan you several potable electric heaters. Since its a weekend there isn't much more you can do. Next time around ALL roommates names should be on the electric and gas bills .

But is this legal for him to do? With such a young baby in the house who needs to be warm at night?

 

[Zigner]

The OP states that the "lights" were shut off...by that I'm assuming that it's actually the "electricity" that has been shut off. The OP can't use any of the various devices that have been recommended.

Having said that...yes, it's legal for the guy to shut the utilities off. It's a jerk move, but legal.

 

[FarmerJ]

Tamara wrote > he has had our gas shut off that powers our heat< if you still have electricity to get by with heating up water and microwaving your meals and he is not your landlord yes legally he can take his name off the bill and if your mom had advance notice that he was going to leave then one of the two of you could have had the gas put in your names or both of your names.