This is most likely a very basic question, but I have never rented an apartment, so I am not sure how an LL goes about this. When you obtain a renter, they have to have all of the utilities put into their name. Which means that they first must come out of my name (LL). Can the renter just call up the utility company's and have everything changed over or do you as a LL have to make arrangements with the utility companies to have this done?

Second question is, when you either have a renter move out or you have to evict, do you call the utility company and tell them the day you want the utilities put back in your name and if so, how much notice do you give to the utility company's? My concern is that the eviction does not go according to plan and now the utilities are in your name, while the renter is still living on your property. Can someone give the steps that they take with utility turn overs? Thanks

TC,

The renter can simply call the utility company and have the utilities put in his name. The key here is that you NEVER take the tenant's word that he has done so. Call the utility company and check BEFORE you give them the keys.

When you evict the tenant or they otherwise move out, don't put the utilities back in your name until they are completely out and you have the keys (or have changed the locks).

Good Luck,

Mike

Excellent.. Thank you!

Tenants don't seem to understand that they can transfer from one account to their new address or that they might have to put up deposits at the local water, gas and electric companies. We sign up for the "rever to landlord" so that there's no interruption of service when a tenant leaves and cuts off the utlities claiming that they couldn't vacuum because they forgot and turned off the utilities early.

You may have another party moving in and having to clean or have a maid in to clean in one day and wow...no water. So check and see if there is a "revert to landlord" program in your area.

Good advice thanks