Tenant utilities in another parties name & future suggestions

[Michael Masterson]

Hi everyone

Looking for suggestions here to avoid future issues around utilities once a tenant vacates. 

On all my properties I'm enrolled in the landlord reversion program. HOWEVER this only initiates if the previous tenant terminates services. When I called the gas company they said the bill was actually in another persons name (my tenants child) 

Question is. Do my fellow BPers confirm that utilities are truly in their tenants name upon move-in? Never in my wildest dreams would I put something in my childs name and jeopardize their credit or borrowing ability....but you learn something new everyday in owning/managing. 

FYI the balance is small, and the tenant is gone with a forefeited security deposit already because they skipped last months rent. So my question for future protection is in the event this balance is very high and I don't want to be stuck with it. 

Also-would you all reach out to the account holder themself (the child) in this instance or just let it be?