What to do with utilities when house is vacant

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When a homeowner goes through a relocation, there are a lot of things to take into account. One of those is what to do with the house in terms of utilities. Turning off the water, gas, and electricity when the house is vacant can seem like the most logical solution, but it’s not always the best one.

In some cases, turning off the utilities can actually backfire. You may lose potential buyers by turning them away, which might result in the transaction going through.

It’s important to consult with your real estate agent before making any decisions about utility usage when a property is vacant. They can help advise you on what is best for your specific situation.

Vacant Rental Property

When it comes to rental properties, the question of whether or not to turn off the utilities becomes even more complicated.

Tenants need access to running water, gas, and electricity in order to live in a property, so you can’t just shut everything off without warning them. https://youtu.be/UtUFq9U4–Y

Instead, you should work with your tenants to come up with a plan for utility usage that works for everyone involved. Maybe they agree to pay for the utilities themselves, or maybe you agree to keep them on but only during specific hours.

Whatever the case may be, make sure both you and your tenants are clear on what is expected. Turning off the utilities without discussing with them first can cause some major conflicts.

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Keep your future tenants in mind

For properties that are not currently occupied, you should check with local laws to make sure it’s allowed. If it is, then you can decide how the utilities will be used.

You may choose to keep them on throughout the escrow process in case an inspection needs to go forward or if a potential buyer wants to schedule a walk-through of the house.

Whatever your decision, work closely with your real estate agent throughout this process. They can help advise you on what options would benefit you and your property best.

Keep all utilities and not just electricity for the rental property.

When it comes to vacant properties, you want to leave more than just electricity on for convenience.

Also bear in mind that turning off utilities may drive potential tenants away. Leaving utilities on is always better than turning them off because it creates an all-around better impression of your property. Preventing most water emergencies (and burst pipes in winter) is as simple as turning the water off at the main valve.

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Why Sell Your Home to ASAP Cash Offer?

  1. You Pay Zero Fees 
  2. Close quickly 7-28 days.
  3. Guaranteed Offer, no waiting.
  4. No repairs required, sell “AS IS”
  5. No appraisals or delays.

When to disconnect utilities when moving

What to do with utilities when house is vacant

If you are in the process of selling your home, you may be wondering if you should turn off the utilities.

The answer is: it depends.

If you’re still living in the house, then you should keep the utilities on. This will make it easier for potential buyers to see the property and to do an inspection. It also gives them a more accurate idea of what their monthly utility bills would be like.

If you have already moved out of the house, then you can choose to turn off the utilities or leave them on. Again, it’s important to consult with your real estate agent before making any final decisions.

In general, it’s always best to leave the utilities on so that potential buyers have a positive experience when viewing the property. This may help to speed up the sale process and make it less complicated for everyone involved.

What does leaving the porch light on mean

A little light can make vacant homes appear occupied and deter potential robbers.

For the same reasons, if you know you’ll be staying in another home while selling your current one, always leave the utilities on.

Even when it’s not practical for you to live in your property (for instance, if there are construction projects or ongoing renovations that require you to temporarily move out), just turn on a few lights and keep the water turned in the house.

what does leaving the porch light on mean

It will not be time-consuming during an inspection with potential buyers because they won’t have to come back later when everything is finished.

Plus, it keeps burglars away because no one wants to risk breaking into an occupied house.

Having utility bills can look good for negotiations too.

It shows buyers that someone has been using the property and paying for the basic services, even if it’s not them.

It’s like a safety net saying that someone is looking after the house and cared enough to keep the utilities on even as they moved out.

Ease on the Appraiser’s Mind

You might think you’ll save yourself some money by turning the utilities off when no one is living in your house, but it could be more of a headache than anything.

Keeping everything on for inspections or negotiations may cost a little extra, but it will help your property sell quickly and easily.

When you turn the utilities off before showing your home to potential buyers, it creates inconvenient scenarios that scare most people away. Air conditioning in the summer, leaking water pipes, and frozen pipes in the winter will make a huge difference in the buyer and appraiser’s impression at the same time.

It takes time for them to come back when everything is finished and you’ve made up an excuse why they weren’t turned on in the first place.

Skip all this hassle by keeping them on throughout the escrow process so everyone can stay happy.

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Why Sell Your Home to ASAP Cash Offer?

  1. You Pay Zero Fees 
  2. Close quickly 7-28 days.
  3. Guaranteed Offer, no waiting.
  4. No repairs required, sell “AS IS”
  5. No appraisals or delays.

Home Inspection

If you suspect an issue with your furnace or water heater, then turn the utilities off yourself.

Otherwise, it’s a good idea to leave them on and let a professional come take care of it.

Chimneys should be inspected by a chimney service and, if necessary, cleaned to ensure that they are free from obstructions such as nesting birds. Install chimney guard screen-caps to help prevent any infestation. Water damage If the heating system is to be turned off completely, have the plumbing system drained (or properly winterized) to prevent freezing damage.

Home Inspection

If water will not be turned off, shut off the dishwasher and washing machine hoses to prevent serious water damage losses. Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so the water supply will be less likely to freeze. 

It will save time and energy by having someone there for the inspection who knows how to check everything properly and can answer any questions that prospective buyers may have about how it all works.

Utility Companies usually take 2 – 3 days to reconnect service.

If you are in the process of selling your home and have turned off the water, gas, and electricity to save money, be aware that the Utility Companies usually take 2 – 3 days to reconnect service.

During that time, you will have no water, gas, or electricity.

You may also incur a fee for turning off the service, so it is important to weigh all of your options before taking any drastic measures.

Again, working with your real estate agent is always your best bet when making decisions about your property. They can help advise you on what is best for your specific situation.

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Transferring utilities when moving

If you are moving, it’s important to let the company know so they can have the new address on file.

Without proper notification, there is a chance that your service may be cut off unexpectedly due to non-payment, or that the last bill might not be sent to your own home

This will result in additional charges and problems for both yourself and the one trying to reconnect services.

Transferring utilities when moving

It’s important to note that keeping utilities on at all times also helps protect against water leaks or gas leaks during an inspection. If something has gone wrong with any of these services or you suspect there might be damage somewhere then turn them off until everything is inspected by professionals first.

How to save electricity bill at home

If you are the one moving out, shut off your own utilities instead of just turning them to “vacant” status.

This will save you and the new owner money by not having to pay an estimate for reconnecting everything.

To save on the cost of electricity, turn off any major appliances that you won’t be using or can’t take with you.

Also, consider unplugging all electronics when they aren’t in use so they don’t suck up energy while still plugged in. Install light bulbs that give off less heat than others so you won’t have to spend as much during the winter months. And if your water heater has an energy-saving mode or thermostat setting then this is another way to cut down on your monthly expenses.

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How to turn off utilities when moving

It is a common misconception that turning off the utilities will save money.

In fact, it can actually cost more in the long run.

When you turn off your water, gas, and electricity, you are still responsible for paying the bill.

The only difference is that you will not be using any of the services that you are paying for.

This means that you are not getting your money’s worth and are essentially wasting money each month.

If you are having financial difficulties, there are other ways to reduce your monthly expenses without having to sacrifice essential services.

Contacting your Utility Company is the best way to get started on finding a plan that works best for your needs.

Vacant home for sale

Vacant Home For Sale

If you are looking to sell your home or vacant land, it’s important to keep in mind the importance of keeping the utilities on.

While turning off the utilities may seem like a good way to save money in the short term, it can actually end up costing more in the long run.

ASAP Cash Offer can help you get a fast offer on your vacant home.

Just by following some simple steps, like filling out the form below or calling us at (818) 651-8166 , we can give you a fair all-cash offer right at your door.

ASAP Cash Offer - Call Now

Call Now (818) 651-8166

Why Sell Your Home to ASAP Cash Offer?

  1. You Pay Zero Fees 
  2. Close quickly 7-28 days.
  3. Guaranteed Offer, no waiting.
  4. No repairs required, sell “AS IS”
  5. No appraisals or delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t pay my taxes?

Failing to pay taxes can have far-reaching implications. Depending on the amount of money owed, you may face interest fees and potential criminal charges. The IRS has a range of payment plans designed to help taxpayers address their tax debt in an affordable way; it is best to explore these options immediately if you are unable to repay your taxes as usual.

Does paying property tax give ownership in Florida?

No, paying property taxes in Florida does not give ownership to the taxpayer or any other person. Property tax is only related to a taxable parcel of real estate and cannot be considered as an act that modifies the title deed or change of ownership rights for such land.

What happens if you don’t pay your property taxes in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, failing to pay property taxes within the designated time frame can result in a lien being placed on your home. While each county has its own set of rules and regulations governing this process, generally speaking you will receive several warnings before any action is taken against your residence. If these payments are not made by the due date stated in those notices, then a tax lien may be filed which could lead to the eventual foreclosure of your home if it isn’t addressed quickly. It’s important that all homeowners remain current with their real estate taxes or else they risk having their properties seized without warning.
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