Leave the utilties in your name at first

[Bienes Raices]

Since there's a fee for starting/stopping the water and electric (at least where I live), would it be wise to keep the utilities in my name for the first couple of days after the tenant moves in, say the 3rd or 4th of the month, in case the tenant flakes out at the last minute and doesn't move in, or just do it on the first day of their lease?

Also, my electric company here (Progress Energy) told me they're not allowed to tell me whether the tenant switched the electric into their own name or not. I didn't really understand their reasoning. I was wondering if I should just write something into the lease about switching utilities to cover for this situation.

[Jon Holdman]

Also, my lease states that they're responsible for utilities, and that any money I receive can be applied to non-rent fees first, then rent. That way, If I pay a utility bill, I will add it on to the next month's rent and they will have to pay me. If not, the rent will be late and I'll start an eviction.