deed needed to open Washington gas account? (foreclosure, renter)

[allnew8245]

I called Washington Gas prior to closing on my house to ask the service to be transferred to my name (the previous owner requested a meter reading and shut-off the day after closing). They told me they would use that reading as initial meter value for my account (so not even my own reading for $15) and that I would need to provide a deed to show ownership sometime in next couple of weeks.

My surprise came when, the day after closing, gas was shut-off. When I called to ask what happened, they NOW told me they need the deed BEFORE they can start service. Since the service is shut-off, someone has to come over and to a reading for $60 instead of $0. And of course I don't have the deed yet, the title company said they will mail it to me in the days after closing. This all means it's going to be a couple of days before I get gas service (not to mention the additional fee!).

Has anyone else encountered this? I think it's a pretty common scenario where you want to transfer utilities under your name, but you don't have the deed yet.

Thanks all

[acgood]

That is weird, and was not my experience with them. And couldn't a renter have an account in their name?

[smarterguy]

I've never owned property, but I've never had trouble turning the gas/electric on for any property I've rented. Usually just a phone call, and maybe a small one time fee.

I'd call back and try to get someone more accommodating.

[slduvall]

As a former renter in the area, I can tell you they require a lease or deed prior to starting in your name, as does the water company.

A water company employee told me that they started doing it after so many houses went into foreclosure. They don't want it sitting in limbo even for a few days, since there is a potential for no one to take responsibility. The water company also goes so far as to require permission from the homeowner for a renter to turn on water.