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Yeah, our utilities typically refer to this landlord agreement as a "stay on" agreement, and it has to be set up by the landlord. The tenant calls in and says they are moving out and service automatically reverts to the landlord. Power and gas do this, and municipal services, but not private water companies. So it is hit and miss.
However, one comment. You mentioned that you are breaking the lease and moving early. Rent was to be paid through December 31st. Was there mention of utilities at any point? I've heard of landlords requiring utilities on a broken lease stay in the current tenant's name until a new tenant is found. Not sure whether that is legal or not, but I've heard of it happening. Just wondering if you misunderstood and she actually said you were to call back in and have utilities scheduled to go back into YOUR name, not hers, so they wouldn't be shut off.
Depending on where you live, if the gas or power get turned off this time of year, the house could have frozen pipes, leading to a whole can of worms I would NOT want to get into with a landlord. I would follow up again with the LL and reemphasize that the utility company would not let you put service in her name and she needs to contact them ASAP to avoid shut off.
Over here we deal with so many different utility companies and even more different rules.
Some will almost go overboard with their verification system...while others don't care too much.
Duke Energy doesn't care if you are the tenant or the owner since they allow anybody with a SSN to have it in their name since all they want is money.
Most companies require a deed, HUD or lease agreement.
Some will automatically transfer it tot the owner when a tenant moves out since they don't allow shut off of the utilities since they want to keep receiving money...
It is ridiculous that in a small area 6 different water companies operate with all different rules and regulations.
Since you're leaving before the end of the actual lease, save the texts about notification of shutoff....just in case.
^^^ This, I have saved *everything* and all communications from the last 4 months. We are moving before the end of the lease due to a problem with the house that will require extensive work (as we were told by them and they gave us the option to leave, I posted in another thread about this).
The last 4 months have been nothing short of a nightmare and I have been sure to save everything. All text messages, all communication that has been in writing, etc.
I am hoping in 2 days I will never have to hear from them again, LOL We have done everything they have asked of us to hopefully avoid any further issues so we can just move on with our lives.
Yeah, our utilities typically refer to this landlord agreement as a "stay on" agreement, and it has to be set up by the landlord. The tenant calls in and says they are moving out and service automatically reverts to the landlord. Power and gas do this, and municipal services, but not private water companies. So it is hit and miss.
However, one comment. You mentioned that you are breaking the lease and moving early. Rent was to be paid through December 31st. Was there mention of utilities at any point? I've heard of landlords requiring utilities on a broken lease stay in the current tenant's name until a new tenant is found. Not sure whether that is legal or not, but I've heard of it happening. Just wondering if you misunderstood and she actually said you were to call back in and have utilities scheduled to go back into YOUR name, not hers, so they wouldn't be shut off.
Depending on where you live, if the gas or power get turned off this time of year, the house could have frozen pipes, leading to a whole can of worms I would NOT want to get into with a landlord. I would follow up again with the LL and reemphasize that the utility company would not let you put service in her name and she needs to contact them ASAP to avoid shut off.
I am able to see online through the utility companies any work orders for the address since my name is still on it for another 2 days, there are now new pending orders for a Turn On in her name, so she did call. But I had been checking to make sure, like you said.. a can of worms I didn't want to open.
I think it's hilarious that the LL's response was to yell at YOU to call the utility company, instead of immediately getting on the horn herself.
I agree.
When my tenant moved out, I called up and put the utilities into my name. Took all of 5 minutes on the phone.
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