Rental property without utilities for ten days. Any issues?

Question

I bought my first rental property and the closing date is next Monday. The tenant will move in ten days from the settlement date and will set up his own utility accounts. So for the ten days following the settlement, the property will be vacant. I am wondering whether I shall put the utilities (electricity, water/sewer, gas) under my name during these ten days or shall I just let the property sit vacant with no utilities at all. The property is in clean condition, so I don't have cleaning to do. It is also in a safe townhouse community. Is there going to be any problem if I don't have electricity, water/sewer, and gas for the property for ten days? Any bad things for the appliances or plumbing system? The power company said that I need to leave the refrigerator doors open to prevent mold. Other than that, I have not heard any adverse effect. Can experienced landlords share some thoughts? Thank you!

Mark H. · Answer

You'll want to make sure the natural gas is turned off at each appliance, water is turned off @ the entrance to the home and *dont forget this* if you have an electric water heater, make sure the breaker is off.  If the power is turned on before the water is, an electric water heater will boil out all the water in the tank and melt the elements into a useless, curled-up knot.

When restoring the water service at the house, it's best to have a couple of people present when you turn the valve on.  It's pretty common for washer supply valves, fridge water-supply valves etc to be left open when the appliances are removed.

Bill Gulley · Answer

Check to see if you can have a  landlord agreement with your utility companies and see if you can turn on ever with the agreement, this opens an account. You simply read the meters for billings. When you get a tenant they put it in their name. If you don't, when they leave it could be shut off and the new tenant has to wait for turn ons again. This avoids those hassels between tenants. You also get notice of any late pays that you can make part of rents if not paid. Your area should provide a similar process. Good luck...

Jeff S. · Answer

How long has the water been off or the drains unused?  If it’s been months, you might want to bring a few gallons to the home and pour into the drains.  Sometimes the traps will dry up allowing sewer gas into the house.  I’m not sure there’s a fire hazard, but it will stink like hell.  We have a guest shower at home that doesn’t get much use, which I occasionally have to run for this purpose.

If it will only be ten days between occupants, forget it.

Jeff

Kevin Perk · Answer

You should be OK.

Joel Owens · Answer

If the appliances are really old such as fridge and other items if you leave them off for a time they might not work properly again.

I find this happens sometimes with really old fridges.

Ken Latchers · Answer

You may have some utilities requiring a credit check, which will lower your credit score due to a hard pull.

You will probably have to pay a minimum for the month, so can be costly.

You may have to pay deposits (or even high fees in some places) to turn them on.

Not worth it.  I see no reason you need utilities.

Karen M · Answer

Great advice. Thank you!

Karen M · Answer

I tried to change my display name. But looks like this is the only attribute that I cannot change. I added a profile photo. Hopefully, this will differentiate our user names a little better.

Karen M · Answer

Thank you for all the replies. They are very helpful. The property I bought was built in 2010 and all the appliances are in very good condition. The original owner is moving out this weekend. So it will be vacant for only ten days before my tenants move in. I checked with my local utilities companies. They don't have the landlord service which default the utilities back to my account after tenants disconnect. One company which does not service my address has this landlord option. Nonetheless, they will charge the landlord a connection fee each time the utilities switch back to the landlord.

Based on the suggestions I received, I will just leave the house without utilities for ten days, with the refrigerator doors open to prevent mold.

Karen Margrave · Answer

Not sure if it makes a difference, but you might consider adding a middle initial to your name to avoid confusion, as we're both Karen M.

Rental property without utilities for ten days. Any issues?

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