Should I Turn On The Utilities and Power For New Tenant Moving In?

Should you turn on the utilities for a new tenant coming from out of state is the question for Ask Landlord Hank this week.

Dear Landlord Hank,

I have someone moving in on Saturday and coming here from out of state. The tenant is saying that with the move, all the driving, etc., they haven’t had time to contact the power company to open a new account in their own name. They asked if I could keep the power on until next week and they would open a new account and pay me for power used. This seems understandable-what do you think?

-Bill

Dear Landlord Bill,

I know you’d like to be a nice guy here and help out a struggling new tenant but this is a big red flag.

Your lease should require the tenant to initiate a new account for electricity, in their own name, beginning with the first day of the lease, and require that power be on during the entire tenancy.

Tenant utilities and rules in some states

In many states, once the tenant moves in and the power is on, you as the landlord can’t just turn it off because the tenant hasn’t gotten around to opening up their own account or any other reason.

If this went to court the tenant could say you had a verbal agreement to supply power, etc. Make sure power is off prior to tenant moving in or lease start date, sometimes two different dates, or that the account is active and NOT in your name.

I’d think in this case the tenant would have loads of time to contact power company while driving or at least being in the vehicle.

I don’t know any power companies that don’t start service easily and often with just a phone call, unless applicant has poor credit, then normally a deposit is required up front.

Don’t get suckered in here. Be firm and insist that tenant abide by the lease and have power on in their name at start of lease.  No legal advice intended here.

Sincerely,

Hank Rossi

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