Pet-sitting - Utility shut off

[boyerbt]

A friend and his family are currently on a trip with his extended family and I am checking on their pets while they are away. Yesterday afternoon when I was stopping by I noticed a tag on the door and was shocked to see that it was a note from the utility company saying that their gas has been shut off due to non-payment and apparently they owe $250 in back payments.

My question is: when and how should I tell my friend?

I'm 99.9% sure that he knows he is behind on his payments so it shouldn't be a shock but I don't want to ruin their trip but I also don't think I shouldn't say anything and have them come home to a house with no gas. It is the summer and so the only immediate inconvenience will be no hot water but I am still unsure of how to handle this.

[joonifloofeefloo]

I would let them know...because if it were me, I would want to know. I would want to resolve it from my vacation, and come home to a hot shower :)    A short quick text opening with, "All is well. Pets are happy. Just a head's up that..."

[MsSindy]

oooh, AWKWARD!   But yeah, I agree with the advice above.   Funny how they have $$ to go on vacation but not pay their gas bill??!  Priorities people!!

[frugaliknowit]

Whether you tell them or not, they will probably assume you saw the notice...in which case you are not saving them any potential embarrassment by not telling them.  Maybe take a picture of it with a text message or email noting an assumption that it's an error (to ease potential embarassment by them)....But I WOULD let them know.

[Cpa Cat]

As someone who has to confront embarrassing financial issues with people on a regular basis, I find it easiest to just rip the bandaid off.

I don't recommend assuming it's an error (it implies a judgement that late utility bills reflect poorly on the person and therefore you don't believe it's possible). I don't recommend making any assumptions at all. Pretend you're a robot.

1) Present the problem factually and concisely without assumptions or commentary: "This notice was on the door."
2) Inquire about necessary action on your part: "Is there anything I need to do about this notice?"
3) If necessary, offer brief words of empathy to end any awkward exposition on their part, "Don't be embarrassed, this happens to a lot of people."
4) Re-orient the conversation back to a solution: "You can probably call them and pay it over the phone from where you are."

A photo and a text saying, "Hey, this was on the door this morning. Is there anything I need to do?"

The answer will probably be no, unless they need to Western Union you some cash to pay it.

Done.

Also - you're not ruining their vacation. You are providing information so that they can solve a problem promptly. Chances are that this isn't even much of a surprise.

[MBot]

Is there a date on the notice?

If so, I would immediately send a low-drama text as recommended.
If not, I would wait until a day or two before they return, then send it. No need to spoil any extra vacation time.

[Roots&Wings]

I would let them know...because if it were me, I would want to know. I would want to resolve it from my vacation, and come home to a hot shower :)    A short quick text opening with, "All is well. Pets are happy. Just a head's up that..."

+1

I check on friends homes when they're away, and if I encountered this situation, I'd send a quick email exactly like the above, continuing "...there was a notice on the door from utility co (pic attached) that I put inside on kitchen counter. Hope you're enjoying your trip!"

I wouldn't offer to help further, unless you want to deal with their business or they are close friends.

[boyerbt]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I agree with most of the comments and believe that the best course of action is a quick message but I also have some concerns of his mismanagement of money if he were to ask me to cover this until he gets back or even offer him a loan. We were having dinner the other night during which he mentioned that he still intends  to get his Tesla model 3 once it is available next year. This means that he currently has a $1,000 REFUNDABLE deposit that could be better used on standard bills instead of a future $35,000-45,000 car that you cannot afford. And utility companies do not shut something off without several months of missed payments so there was plenty of time to consider different options and make a decision other than ignoring it.

Again, I am making assumptions on several levels but this is all new territory for me.

[slappy]

I would be concerned about him asking for a loan, too. Maybe wait until the day or two before their return, and omit the part about "is there anything I need to do?"  If it were me, I would just text a picture of the notice.

[yachi]

Shutting off the gas is a manual thing.  Someone came to the house and closed a valve to do it.  This is why the notice was on the door instead of in the mail.  So yeah, they try to give you plenty of notice before they pay someone to shut it off.  I vote for a quick, factual text that doesn't offer to help solve the issue.

[Linea_Norway]

I would let them know now. I don't expect him to ask you for a loan. That would be extremely embarrassing for him. And if he is supid enough to ask you nevertheless, can't you just answer: don't you have some Tesla savings you could pay this from?
It is totally acceptable to say no to giving someone a loan if you know the person plans to buy an expensive car. A bank wouldn't do that either.

[Roots&Wings]

This is not your problem. Convey the information and be done with it. On the chance he asks for loan, just say "no, that's not something I'm comfortable doing."

He may offer an explanation to you later (and might be unaware of the situation entirely. As an anecdote, I just had a family member receive a notice of sheriff's sale on their rental property not because they were knowingly irresponsible, but because the information was being sent to an incorrect address). So maybe try not to make assumptions. Good luck!

[GizmoTX]

Long long ago we had our water shut off because we were both too hammered at work & disorganized to make the payment. Autopay to a credit card or from a bank draft didn't exist -- this was snail mail or pay in person. It was a wakeup call to get our finances managed and it has never happened again.

Send a factual notice ASAP but absolutely do not pay their bill, just in case.

[Miss Piggy]

I agree with most of the comments and believe that the best course of action is a quick message but I also have some concerns of his mismanagement of money if he were to ask me to cover this until he gets back or even offer him a loan.

I'm not a Meghan Trainor fan (not even sure whether I spelled her name right), but she has a great song titled "No." Give it a listen.  :)

[surfhb]

Whats the bid deaL?   Just send him a text.

[Cpa Cat]

but I also have some concerns of his mismanagement of money if he were to ask me to cover this until he gets back or even offer him a loan.

"That's not in my budget right now."

[Hargrove]

I agree with most of the comments and believe that the best course of action is a quick message but I also have some concerns of his mismanagement of money if he were to ask me to cover this until he gets back or even offer him a loan. We were having dinner the other night during which he mentioned that he still intends  to get his Tesla model 3 once it is available next year. This means that he currently has a $1,000 REFUNDABLE deposit that could be better used on standard bills instead of a future $35,000-45,000 car that you cannot afford. And utility companies do not shut something off without several months of missed payments so there was plenty of time to consider different options and make a decision other than ignoring it.

None of that is your problem. Are you just uncomfortable refusing the loan? "Sorry, I don't have it to lend."

I wouldn't ask, in the text, if you should do anything. That suggests you're open to requests. "This notice was on your door; thought it might be important." That's it. If they're going to ask after that, the only way you can totally avoid the ask is to stop talking to them entirely, so you may want to practice saying "no."

[boyerbt]

Quick update:

I called and spoke to my buddy about the gas shut-off and he was very aloof about it saying that he didn't think he missed a payment but I totally understand. He asked me to send him a photo so that he could give them a call to figure it out and that was it. I'm sure he will tell me more when I see him once he gets back but at least I gave him the heads up before he got home.

Thanks again for everyone's comments and feedback.