Guide · For owners

Utilities Between Residents

Keeping the utilities on between residents: continuous service for owners, why it matters in cold weather, and simple steps for residents moving in or out.

Start the checklist

Where to start

Home sitting empty in cold weather?
Keep the heat on. The Red Cross suggests no lower than 55°F. See why it matters in cold weather.
Owner?
Call each utility and ask about continuous service. See set up continuous service.
Moving out or in?
End or start service on your lease date, not before. See moving out and moving in.

The short version

The days between one resident moving out and the next moving in are some of the quietest in a home's life, and some of the riskiest. If the power, gas or water gets shut off during that gap, the heat can stop, pipes can freeze, and a simple turnover can turn into a costly repair.

The fix is mostly paperwork, done ahead of time, the same way every time. This guide is for owners and for residents who are moving in or out.

For owners: set up continuous service

Many electric, gas and water companies offer a program for rental owners, often called continuous service, landlord service or revert to owner. When a resident closes their account, the service stays on and the billing moves to the owner instead of the company shutting it off.

Call each utility that serves the home and ask whether they offer this.
Keep a list of which utilities are set up, with account numbers and phone numbers.
Check the setup once a year, and again whenever you buy or add a home.

Keeping service on can help avoid shutoffs, extra service trips and reconnection charges, though each company has its own rules and fees.

Why it matters in cold weather

If the heat stops in freezing weather, an empty home can get cold enough for pipes to freeze and burst. The Red Cross suggests keeping the heat set no lower than 55°F while a home is empty in cold weather. Opening cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and having someone check the home regularly also help.

For residents: moving out

Ask the utility to end your service on your lease end date, not before.
Give each utility your new address for the final bill.
If you can, take a photo of each meter on your last day.
Let the owner know the date each account ends.

If service is ended early and the owner's account picks up those days, who pays for them depends on the lease and your state's law. Any charge taken from a security deposit must follow your state's deposit rules. If you are unsure, please ask first.

For residents: moving in

Start the accounts you are responsible for on your lease start date.
Ask the owner for the list of utility companies and which ones you pay.
Save each confirmation number or email.

Many owners ask every new resident for the confirmation numbers before move in day. That keeps billing clean for everyone. Asking every resident the same way, every time, is fair and simple.

For owners: same steps every time

Give every new resident the same utility list.
Photograph each meter at move out and again at move in.
Keep the photos and utility records with the move in and move out reports.

Try it

Your utilities between residents checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 6

Continuous service set up with each utility that offers it
Heat kept on in empty homes during cold weather
Moving out residents end service on the lease end date
Meters photographed at move out and move in
New residents given the same utility list every time
New account confirmations saved

An everyday example

A resident finished moving out in mid December and called the gas company to close the account. Because the owner had set up continuous service, the gas stayed on and the billing moved to the owner. The furnace kept the empty home at a safe temperature through a cold week. The owner photographed the meters, kept the records with the move out report, and handed the next resident a fresh utility list on move in day. The pipes never noticed the change.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Rental Owner Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in for owners who rent out a home: contractors, insurance, fair pricing, records, showings and more.

See The Perfect Rental Owner Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep this guide handy

Save this page, come back to your checklist any time, and share it with anyone in your home who could use it.

See all guides

From the Bunklow shop

Take it with you

Bunklow Home Guide 117: Vacant Home Continuous Service Utility Agreements and Billing RolloversA printable guide to vacant home continuous service utility agreements and billing rollovers, in plain steps.
See it in the shop
Moving In and Settling Checklist PackThe Moving In and Settling checklists in one pack, fillable on screen or printable.
See it in the shop

Sold on Payhip.

This guide shares general educational information to help you, and is not legal advice or a substitute for a licensed professional. Bunklow does not manage homes, collect rent or set up utilities. Utility rules and deposit laws differ from state to state and town to town, so please check your state and local law, read your lease, and get local help from a qualified attorney or your local tenant or landlord association if you have questions.