Troubled Tenant - Not switching utility after move in

Worcester, Massachusetts
Legal & Legislation
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Troubled Tenant - Not switching utility after move in

Dimple Parikh
MA · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes

am a landlord in Massachusetts. I have a tenant who moved into the unit in January 2026. Per the lease, the tenant is responsible for electric service and was required to place the National Grid account in her name at move‑in.

Despite multiple written reminders, the tenant has still not transferred the utility account. I am now receiving shutoff notices from National Grid and am being told I must pay the balance or the electric service will be terminated.

This tenant is problematic, and an eviction case is already pending.

My questions are:

  1. Is there any lawful way for me, as the landlord, to avoid paying the tenant’s electric bill in this situation?
  2. If I do not pay and National Grid shuts off the electricity, would that place me in violation of Massachusetts landlord‑tenant law?

Any guidance from MA landlords or attorneys would be appreciated.

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Esther Taylor
Investor · Dedham MA · Member since 2025 · 1 post · 3 votes
5mo

It does not help for this tenant but for going forward you should stop service on move in day. I rent in Massachusetts and work with Eversource and National Grid for utilities. I always schedule a service turn off for the day of move in and tell the tenants who to call for gas and electricity to be turned on.

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  • Janice Carter
    Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 606 votes
    5mo

    @Dimple Parikh That is a tough situation but in Massachusetts you generally can’t allow utilities to be shut off. Loss of essential services could put you in violation, even if the tenant was supposed to transfer the account. Most landlords end up paying to keep service active, then pursuing reimbursement through the eviction or small claims. Definitely worth confirming with a local attorney but protecting the habitability of the unit should be the priority.

    Curious, was this tenant thoroughly screened and was the previous landlord contacted before approval? If not, that is an important step to implement going forward.

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  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    5mo

    Did you check that it had been put in their name before giving them the keys?

    1Reply
  • Dimple Parikh
    OP
    MA · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    5mo

    Thank you for your response. We did check their credits and history which seemed fine. What we didnt enforce was switching the utilities before handing off the keys. Something to keep on the checklist ! At our other properties gave 5 days to switch and it has always been done but going forward will make sure.

    Any landlord lawyers in the Worcester area, who would be willing to consultation and advice ? 

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  • Esther Taylor
    Investor · Dedham MA · Member since 2025 · 1 post · 3 votes
    5mo

    It does not help for this tenant but for going forward you should stop service on move in day. I rent in Massachusetts and work with Eversource and National Grid for utilities. I always schedule a service turn off for the day of move in and tell the tenants who to call for gas and electricity to be turned on.

    3Reply
    • Dimple Parikh
      OP
      MA · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes
      5mo
      Quote from @Esther Taylor:

      It does not help for this tenant but for going forward you should stop service on move in day. I rent in Massachusetts and work with Eversource and National Grid for utilities. I always schedule a service turn off for the day of move in and tell the tenants who to call for gas and electricity to be turned on.

      Thank you for that advice ! will do going forward.

      0Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    5mo
    Quote from @Dimple Parikh:

    am a landlord in Massachusetts. I have a tenant who moved into the unit in January 2026. Per the lease, the tenant is responsible for electric service and was required to place the National Grid account in her name at move‑in.

    Despite multiple written reminders, the tenant has still not transferred the utility account. I am now receiving shutoff notices from National Grid and am being told I must pay the balance or the electric service will be terminated.

    This tenant is problematic, and an eviction case is already pending.

    My questions are:

    1. Is there any lawful way for me, as the landlord, to avoid paying the tenant’s electric bill in this situation?
    2. If I do not pay and National Grid shuts off the electricity, would that place me in violation of Massachusetts landlord‑tenant law?

    Any guidance from MA landlords or attorneys would be appreciated.


    As others have mentioned:

    1) Require proof tenants have transferred to their name before giving keys

    2) Schedule shutoff day after MoveIn (but track during winter to avoid frozen pipes!)

    Options now:

    1) Bill the tenant for the utilities, so it's on their rent ledger and part of eviction balance

    2) Depending on your lease language, what's legally allowed in your state and what the utility company will allow, you may be able to call utility company to have balance transferred to tenant backdated to their MoveIn Date. You should have tenant SSN and DL to do this.

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    1Reply
  • Paul Hubbard
    Rental Property Investor · Worcester County · Member since 2026 · 3 posts · 3 votes
    5mo

    If the Lease is clear — electricity is her responsibility. But the account is still in your name, which creates real exposure. If it shuts off while eviction is pending she has a potential habitability defense in Housing Court. Don’t let that happen.

    Call National Grid today, explain eviction is pending, and ask about a temporary arrangement. If needed, pay the minimum and add it to your eviction claim as damages. Loop in your eviction attorney immediately.

    Going forward — schedule your utility account shutoff for the day before move-in. Tenant has no choice but to set up their own account or they have no electricity on day one. Put it in the lease that service must be established in their name prior to or on the move-in date and confirm it in writing before you hand over keys. That single step eliminates this problem entirely.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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