Past due light, water bill etc,.. (agent, mortgage, property, escrow)

[Thehouse]

Is this something I would have to call and find out about a house?

Like I would have to call the power company to find out if previous owners owes any past due bill before I close on a house?

[WendyK]

In my area, the electricity & gas follow the owner, not the house, so they will go after the previous owner to get paid. But the water & sewer bill can become a lien on the house, so usually the closing agent will find out how much is past due and collect it from the seller at closing so that you are truly purchasing a house with no liens other than your mortgage, if you're getting one. You will need to check with whoever is handling your closing to see if they what utilities are paid at closing.

[2bindenver]

In Colorado, only water follows the property.

No one will tell you if someone else's account is past due.

What is the norm in the OP's area?

[Thehouse]

This is in New yORK.

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by WendyK

In my area, the electricity & gas follow the owner, not the house, so they will go after the previous owner to get paid. But the water & sewer bill can become a lien on the house, so usually the closing agent will find out how much is past due and collect it from the seller at closing so that you are truly purchasing a house with no liens other than your mortgage, if you're getting one. You will need to check with whoever is handling your closing to see if they what utilities are paid at closing.

We are the same here. Water/sewer is municipal so they check for them at close of escrow and it gets tacked onto the seller's side.

[jackmichigan]

Originally Posted by WendyK

In my area, the electricity & gas follow the owner, not the house, so they will go after the previous owner to get paid. But the water & sewer bill can become a lien on the house

Same here.