What to do with utility accounts when renting out a house

[mooncancook]

Should I call PG&E and the city to cancel my gas & electricity account and water and utility account, or should I just ask the new tenants to call and change to their names? And btw this is in CA.

 

[FDF12389]

In my state we just call and let the energy company know we have rented the house and when our last billing date will be.

It seems like when I rent a house my landlords do the same.

 

[ViviTheMage]

In MN, the renters put it in their name.

 

[Thump553]

Depends on local custom and the agreement with the tenant.

Remember that you don't want electricity/heat shut off in the winter if you're in an area where it freezes. Frozen pipes can do a heck of a lot of damage.


Remember too that some utilities are a lien on the property if not paid-frequently this is water & sewer, but local law matters. For those utilities if you are passing them onto the tenant I'd suggest bill stays in your name, you present it to them and ask for a check when the bill comes.

 

[FDF12389]

Depends on local custom and the agreement with the tenant.

Remember that you don't want electricity/heat shut off in the winter if you're in an area where it freezes. Frozen pipes can do a heck of a lot of damage.


Remember too that some utilities are a lien on the property if not paid-frequently this is water & sewer, but local law matters. For those utilities if you are passing them onto the tenant I'd suggest bill stays in your name, you present it to them and ask for a check when the bill comes.

This will cause way more trouble than it's actually worth.

 

[AUMM]

Should I call PG&E and the city to cancel my gas & electricity account and water and utility account, or should I just ask the new tenants to call and change to their names? And btw this is in CA.

i have multiple rental properties in CA. What i do is inform the tenants that they need to setup all utilities in their name by X date. and I also call the utility companies to cancel my utilities by X date. I also provide all utility contact numbers for the tenant to make it easy.