Check bill history before agreeing to tenancy terms – KEDCO to new tenants

Solomon Ezeme

The Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has advised new tenants in its franchise to always carry out background checks of electricity bill status before agreeing to tenancy terms by house owners.

KEDCO also admonished landlords and landladies within its network to spare new tenants the trouble of having to pay for unused services, by ensuring that exiting occupants of their apartments pay off outstanding bills before leaving.

In a statement signed on Monday, February 14, by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Sani Shawai, the Electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) disclosed that noted that the advice from the DisCo was necessary to prevent the tenants from falling victim to accumulated debts by exiting tenants of apartments.

He advised new tenants to visit any of the DisCo’s offices for a detailed explanation on how to run the background checks and avoid the sort of embarrassment that comes with its officials disconnecting their apartments during visits.

Sani Shawa said, “The Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has advised new tenants in Kano franchise to make electricity bills status part of their background checks before agreeing to any tenancy terms.

“According to the Management, part of the background checks is to find out if such property (ies) they are about to move into is duly approved by KEDCO to be debt-free.

“Not carrying out such electricity bills background check will mean any outstanding debt on the property will be borne by the new tenants and may results to disconnection if outstanding bills are not settled.

“The advice is imperative based on the prevalence of cases of outstanding bills being heaped on new tenants which is not ideal.

“In this regard, intending tenants are strongly advised to visit any KEDCO offices for proper guidance to avoid any embarrassing visits upon renting any properties.

“Similarly, KEDCO further urged landlords to ensure outgoing tenants settle their outstanding electricity bills before moving out of their property so that new tenants are not made to pay for services they didn’t enjoy.”