question about utility handling

[Daniel Miller]

I am getting ready to rent out my first house (it's my dad's house, he's in a dementia facility now). One basic question that I have: what, exactly happens with the utility bills once a renter moves in; do I change them all to the renter's name?? Or do I leave the accounts in my (well, dad's) name and just tell the renter to pay them?

[Jon Holdman]

You should check with the utilities companies. Some areas have specific rules one way or another.

Generally, I tell the tenant to put them in their name and pay them. I have "landlord plans" set up with the utility companies so that the utility switches to my name if the tenant disconnects and I get notified if they aren't getting paid. In one case, however, I keep water and trash in my name and have the tenant pay me. I pay the bills. In our area, a water company can lien your property even if its the tenants that don't pay. Not so for electricity and gas.