Closing issues due to illegal electricity

[Samantha Coppinger]

So im supposed to be closing on my first deal next monday, and ran into an illegal electricity problem. I had called the electric company to set up a service in my name. I had called them two weeks prior to find out usage since the current landlord "pays" for the tenants electric bill. They told me there was no usage and there hasnt been billing lately. Which is not good considering the electricity is on and tenants are living on the property. And the company told me their electricity can be shut off at any time. They also told me that it wouldnt affect me, and i would start with a clean slate. After trying to get the service in my name, i am now being told that i have to get an underwriter to the property to survey the electricity to make sure its safe to "turn on". The problem is that the seller is not letting me have the inspection done, and is angry i did my homework, saying i should not have even been looking into electricity since i do not own the property yet. Go figure. Do i close on illegal electricity and fix it right away? The meters are probably going to need replacing. And should the seller be responsible for the underwriter bill since they are the one in fault? How do I get them to agree to let the inspection happen before closing? I do not want to be responsible for illegal electricity in any way at all!

[Mike Hanneman]

Did you not have an inspection done on this property at all? A normal inspection would/could have pointed this issue out. If not you should be asking your inspector along with your realtor about this too. You need to threaten to walk away and if the seller does not let you check this issue out for yourself get out of this deal.

@Account Closed the electric company will not put the electricity in your name till you are the owner or have permission to do so.