The tenant defaulted on the rent and refused to pay the rent in February. Can the owner ask the property to cut off water and electricity?

Tenants can't cut off water and electricity without paying rent. Neither the owners nor the intermediary agencies and property management offices in agent for owner have the right to cut off water and electricity for the rented houses. It is illegal to force the lessee to pay rent by means of water and electricity. It is an extreme behavior for the owner or intermediary or the property management office to change the lock privately. When the owner signs a contract with the lessee, it cannot be forcibly agreed in violation of national laws and regulations. If it is violated, it is an invalid clause. In case of the above incidents, the lessee may complain to the sub-district office for rights protection and terminate the contract through legal channels such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration.

1. Can I call the police if I don't pay the rent?

If you don't pay the rent, you can call the police. However, this behavior does not constitute a criminal offence, and the police cannot file a case. Usually they will mediate between the two sides. Tenants' non-payment of rent is a civil dispute and should be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Code. If the lessee fails to pay the rent within a reasonable period after being urged by the lessor, the lessor may terminate the contract. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, they may request the people's court for mediation.

2. Refusal to pay the rent is confirmed as termination of the contract.

It is uncertain, but the contract can be terminated according to the contract. The lessee shall pay the rent to the lessor according to the time, amount and method agreed in the contract, because the lessee obtains the right to use the leased property at the expense of paying the rent, and the lessor rents the leased property in order to collect the rent, so the lessee can pay the rent in full and on time, and the legitimate right of the lessor to obtain rental income by transferring the right to use the leased property can be guaranteed.

legal ground

People's Republic of China (PRC) Civil Code

Article 722 Where the lessee fails to pay or delays in paying the rent without justifiable reasons, the lessor may require the lessee to pay within a reasonable period of time; If the lessee fails to pay within the time limit, the lessor may terminate the contract.

Article 721 The lessee shall pay the rent at the agreed time limit. If the time limit for paying the rent is not stipulated or clearly stipulated and cannot be determined according to the provisions of Article 510 of this Law, if the lease period is less than one year, it shall be paid at the expiration of the lease period; If the lease term exceeds one year, it will be paid annually; if the remaining term is less than one year, it will be paid at the expiration of the lease term.