Electricity: Transferring names after moving question (sublet, 2013, apartment)

[hxcobd]

Wow, what a convoluted title.

Anyway, the situation is this: As mentioned in a few other threads, I've moved into the Loop area about 3 weeks ago at this point.

All utilities are covered by my rent except electricity.

It's quite apparent the previous tenant (a college-age girl) moved out without properly canceling her electricity, as she keeps receiving bills in the mail. Furthermore, my electricity is still on.

I've not bothered transferring service to my name, as I've simply been busy as hell and it keeps slipping my mind. (Plus, I still have electricity, so it's sort of easy to forget...)

Is there going to be some horrifying repercussion if I don't change it to my name ASAP? I assumed it would be kept on until they realized she wasn't going to pay her bill, which seems to be the case, and then they'd shut it off, at which point I'd HAVE to switch it into my name.

[myrc60]

Really? Electricity is the first thing you should have taken care of and you better do it tomorrow or one day you are going to come home and the lights will be out. Sorry but this isn't something you forget day after day after day.

[Chicago60614]

Call them and tell them to switch it to your name starting today. At least you got a few weeks of free power. That's her issue if she didn't switch it off.

If they come shut off your power and you call to have it set back up - it could seriously be days before you get an appointment scheduled. Maybe you'd be lucky, but you could be royally screwed. All you have to do is call. If they actually come switch it off and you have to have it started back up, you might have to take hours out of your schedule and sit there waiting for them.

[dimmples55]

I own a home and want to put the bill in the renters name. how do I go about doing it?

[myrc60]

Call them!

[Anne C M]

Originally Posted by dimmples55

I own a home and want to put the bill in the renters name. how do I go about doing it?

You can't put the bill in someone else's name. The utility company will not allow it. Your tenant has to call the company themselves and do it.

[NealIRC]

It's a catch-22.

I once moved into an apartment where the previous person closed the account so the electricity went into for free.

If I were to register, I would be billed. So no 1 was billed.

I once moved into an apartment where the previous person didn't close the account. So they shut it off 1 day, and when I register, I had to pay the bill.

If I close, the next person moves in get for free.

I asked ComEd who pays for it. They said the landlord "may" pay for it, but ultimately the electricity goes on in nobody's name.

Sad but true.

[gill004]

Hi, we moved to 4 bed two bath in sep 2013 and tried to transfer electricity on our name. Two of my other roommates called them, I called comed as well, but they said our apartment does not exist. but electricity was still on. Although we called owner and he told us to call comed again. I called again and same answer. I don't know who is paying for my apartment. It's been two years and our lease is ending next month. I don't know what's gonna happen. I am an international student. please let me know if anyone has any idea about it? one more question in case we get bills all together, do you think all the persons on the lease will be responsible? one of guy ended the lease 8 months back and other person sublet it after couple of months but he is still on the lease. Anybody has any idea? we never got any bill or notification and they never stopped the service even for the day.

[southwestW]

Sound to me you are trying to get free electricity and are here to check can you get away with that. I really do not see any other reason you would be willing to delay this until power was so overdue that they would turn it off. To busy to call? Are you trying to get former tenant pay? They might have left but they have move out date, so utility company will no go after them. They might not bill you either but that is just petty on your part. How much can you save by delaying this? Electricity is something you have to switch. Only time people do not switch is when they are trying to avoid paying. Some landlords leave flier with move in package and it says you must do it ASAP.

[Onewonder]

I'm in a simular situation, I haven't recieved an electric bill for 16 months. I called the electric comp to have them turn on the electricity when I first moved in.. but never got a bill. When I realized I never received a bill, I called but they said my name was not on the account and I could not access the account. I am assuming they either made a mistake or the previous tenant is still paying the bill. It's been so long now I am worried about getting a fat bill, where as if I don't say nothing I may not ever have to pay.