Dumb Utilities Question

[M Ness]

I am in the process of purchasing my first investment property, a condo unit which will be used as a rental. Future tenants will be paying the utilities.

Do you keep utilities turned on (and in your name) when the unit is vacant (before I get a tenant)? When I do get a tenant, do I have to do anything to facilitate getting their utilities turned on -- or does the tenant take care of all that themselves?

Dumb questions, I know!

[Raymond B.]

M Ness,
I do NOT give the keys to the tenant, until they provide me with proof that the Utilities are in their name.
They MUST provide me with the account number(s), and I call the various Company's to verify that the account is NOT in my name anymore.

Raymond