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Old 05-20-2015, 08:09 AM
 
21,716 posts, read 12,777,266 times
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Are there any particular reasons either to leave utilities ON or turn utilities OFF when a single-family home is sitting empty? It's not a house for sale, but rather one to which I'll move when my current house sells. I had hoped the bills would be negligible, but they're not quite negligible enough, and there's no reconnect fee for water, sewer, electric in my area (will leave gas on, because a reconnect is pricey there).

Also, is it widely known among sellers (or realtors, for that matter) who DO vacate properties for sale in order to move to the new one -- which sellers universally seem to do around here -- that most homeowner insurance policies won't cover any claims for fire or theft on a vacant property? Because my agent just informed me of this fact, and there are plenty sitting empty on our local market -- sometimes for years!

Of course, if they've walked away from a mortgage and it's now bank-owned, I suppose that would be the bank's problem or worry...

Thanks in advance.
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Old 05-20-2015, 08:12 AM
 
Location: Santa Fe, NM
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If the home is in an area that could have freezing temperatures, obviously you would want to leave the electric and gas on and the thermostat set to a low temp to prevent freezing.
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Old 05-20-2015, 08:14 AM
 
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The issue here (it will be for less than six months) will be heat and humidity. And, obviously, there would be no electric a/c or dehumidifier! But is that anything to worry about?

Last edited by otterhere; 05-20-2015 at 08:39 AM..
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Old 05-20-2015, 07:41 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otterhere View Post
The issue here (it will be for less than six months) will be heat and humidity. And, obviously, there would be no electric a/c or dehumidifier! But is that anything to worry about?
Humidity could be an issue. A humid, closed-up house could be a breeding grounds for mold. (But lots of people leave houses closed up for six months.)
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Old 05-21-2015, 06:50 AM
 
Location: Bloomington IN
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Is there a minimum charge for water and sewer? If so, I would consider turning those off before turning off the electric. Heat and humidity can cause problems in houses. I'd keep the AC running, but set at a high temperature like 80 or 85 so that at least air is circulating in the house.
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Old 05-21-2015, 08:32 AM
 
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Mold might be a concern, as the basement DOES take on a little water when it rains, and it gets VERY hot and humid here in the summer. I'll look into stopping separate utilities, but I believe it's a "bundle package" and so all or nothing (yet another way they find to rip people off around here).
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Old 05-21-2015, 09:56 AM
 
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Just leave all of the utilities on. It will make life easier for the squatters.
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Old 05-21-2015, 09:57 AM
 
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I plan to be in and out myself, as my insurance agent prefers it that way. However, I'm a camper and can do without all the frills.
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