Hey, important question (related to my house woes)

[DrPizza]

I have a (contract I suppose it would be) with a bank - a mortgage commitment.
In the contingencies, it states "all utilities must be turned on."

Well, the heating system is disconnected. However, the only public utilities connected to the house are electric and phone (I don't know if the phone is activated, but I doubt it... electric is on.)

Does anyone know what the legal definition of utility is?
Does it refer to the heating system? Or merely the fuel for the system?

Perhaps I should ask this question of my lawyer tomorrow, but was hoping someone here might know.

 

[Heisenberg]

I believe utilities means things like water, power, sewer, and gas being connected.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
I believe utilities means things like water, power, sewer, and gas being connected.

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I have a (contract I suppose it would be) with a bank - a mortgage commitment.
In the contingencies, it states "all utilities must be turned on."

Well, the heating system is disconnected. However, the only public utilities connected to the house are electric and phone (I don't know if the phone is activated, but I doubt it... electric is on.)

Does anyone know what the legal definition of utility is?
Does it refer to the heating system? Or merely the fuel for the system?

Within the terms of your mortgage contract, utilities would be all the deliverables consumed by the house. Electric, gas, water, sewer. Heat wouldn't be a utility, but whatever your heater consumes {gas, electric} would be.

Shouldn't be a problem though. Make sure the gas company or whoever has your house connected and just don't turn the gas on. You'll get your bill for $0.00.

If your heater is of the same type as your water heater or stove, this may not even be a concern. Basically, the bank is concerned that you'll turn the place into a dump (boilerplate, not specific to you) and you having the money to keep all the utilities connected is a nice hedge for their bet.