Rented water heater

[JimH]

The previous owner of my home started renting a water heater from a subsidiary company of the electric company - $15.99 per month since 1998. It's a separate payment, account, etc. and is not tied to my power bill. They fix or replace it when it breaks.

I've been paying this since I bought the home. I have no contract since I didn't have it installed. They sent me a contract when I first moved in but I never signed and sent it back. The bill is in my name although it took them awhile to figure that out.

I have stopped paying on it and they have sent me a disconnect notice, which I know they can't do unless I let them. It's a fixture the same as a sink, furnace, etc. so once installed it cannot be removed without my approval.

I'm going to guess they are still going to want "rent" on this although I'm going to refuse to pay. Anyone out there go bk on one of these before?

[bkfiler]

for 15.99 a month. you that past due on it that much to file bk?

im missing something, i know.

[JimH]

Yes, bkfiler I am $30,000 past due on this acct.

[bkfiler]

hehe, come on! lol

explain to me what you mean hahaha

[Kam]

BKF's pig tails are pulled so tight his brain is stretched to the max!

[bkfiler]

oh yeah?! lol

well then you answer the question then smartie

[JimH]

hehe, come on! lol

explain to me what you mean hahaha

Why don't you understand?......I have to go bk because they're going to foreclose on my water heater.

[JimH]

Seriously though. It is very large (like 120 gallons) and never runs out of hot water even with all of the women in my house so I want to keep it.

I am going bk on the past "rent" on a water heater. I, along with the previous owner, have probably bought this thing 5 times now with the "rental" payment. I want to bk on the whole contract so I can keep it without paying anymore - I can't afford to keep it and I can't afford to replace it. So I'm kind of stuck because if they take it out, I have no hot water.

Does anyone have any experience with this situation? What is my likely outcome?

[JimH]

If you remember my other posts, you'll know I'm going bk on hundreds of thousands of other debt. This is a small issue but something I want taken care of through the process.

[bkfiler]

ok cant you just tell the women that can do without hotwater? or would that cause more problems

ok i see what you mean now. good question. they own the heater and charge rent. you prob can discharge the debt but then what happens with the heater.

i wonder if the discharge will take care of the debt they havnt charged you yet for keeping the heater. i bet it is and its all yours now.

we will wait for more people to chime in.

in the meantime tell the women that cold water makes then beautful and doesnt age their skin into wrinkles. lol

[JimH]

Switching back to one of those regular water heaters would be bad since all the women are spoiled now with the eternal hot water.

I couldn't resist calling the heater company to see what would happen. I told them I was no longer going to rent the unit - what should I do? They told me until I get current on my payments, they will not schedule a removal and the rent and late fees will just keep accruing. I got a little cocky and told them I'm not going to get current and don't want it, so what's next? She said they'll turn it over to collections for $800 for the water heater plus the missed rent and fees. She told me it's going to hurt my credit if I don't get current and get this resolved before they take action. I told her to go ahead and turn it over to collections. I hope I get the letter before I file the middle of next month. I really want to have my eternal hot water rent free.

[bkfiler]

roflfmao, well i guess this story worked out well for you!

you should have gotten maintance done on it first though. ok forget i said that.

very nice!

[JimH]

Yes, I'm very proud of myself. I hope she wastes no time turning it over to collections.

[StaciMM]

Doesn't matter if she turns it over to collections or not-list the debt, it will be discharged.

[SinkingFast]

Be sure to exempt it on your forms and give a fair value for it!! LOLOL