What is what to do with utilities when house is vacant?

When a house is vacant, managing utilities is crucial to prevent unnecessary costs and potential damage. Here's a breakdown of what you need to do:

• Assess Your Needs: Determine whether utilities need to remain on, be reduced, or completely shut off. This depends on the length of vacancy, climate, security needs, and whether the property is being actively marketed for sale or rent.

• Electricity:

  • Turn Off Breakers: If the property will be vacant for an extended period, consider turning off breakers to reduce the risk of electrical fires and phantom loads. This is especially important for things that don't need constant power. Here you can find more details about it: Turning off breakers
  • Leave On for Security/Climate Control: You might need to keep electricity on for security systems or to run the HVAC system to prevent freezing pipes or mold growth in humid climates.
  • Consider a Smart Thermostat: If you need to maintain a specific temperature, a smart thermostat allows remote monitoring and adjustments.

• Water:

  • Turn Off Main Water Supply: This is highly recommended to prevent costly water damage from burst pipes or leaks. Turning off main water supply is very important.
  • Drain Pipes: If the property is in a cold climate, drain the pipes to prevent freezing.
  • Consider a Water Leak Detector: Install a water leak detector that can alert you to potential problems.

• Natural Gas:

  • Turn Off Gas Supply: If the property will be vacant for an extended period, consider turning off the gas supply to prevent leaks. Turning off gas supply can be life saving in some situations.
  • Leave On for Heating (with caution): If you need to maintain heat to prevent freezing, ensure the heating system is in good working order and consider installing a low-temperature alarm.

• Trash/Recycling:

  • Suspend or Cancel Services: Contact your local trash and recycling service to suspend or cancel service to avoid unnecessary charges.

• Notify Utility Companies: Inform all utility companies of the vacancy and your plans for the services. This will prevent billing errors and potential disconnections. Notify utility companies is essential.

• Regular Inspections: Have someone regularly inspect the property to check for leaks, pests, and other potential problems.

• Security System: Ensure any security system is functioning correctly and is connected to a monitoring service if needed.

• Forward Mail: Forward your mail to ensure you receive important notifications from utility companies and other service providers.

By taking these steps, you can minimize utility costs and protect your vacant property from potential damage.