Shutting off all utilities

[hnhlvr]

DH and I moved out of our house June 1st and since then I've debated shutting off the utilities (as I'm sure other here have done) and finally I called the water company yesterday to see what they thought.

The woman said it's a REALLY good idea to have the water box shut off from use because otherwise I will be liable for any expenses say a squatter moves in. I guess it's in my best interest to have the power shut off, as well!

We had the air fan circulating so the house wouldn't smell musty (when we had that shut off for a few weeks the house had a horrible odor), but now I guess I should shut the power off? Having that smell would be a tremendous turn off to any potential buyer so I feel like the fan should stay on. We drive by often enough that we could call the cops if a squatter did move in. But, is there anything we can do about someone camping out in there after being so late on our mortgage?

Oh, just a heads up: even with the water shut off, there may be a charge until another person buys the home. Cost will be $12 per month.

[AngelinaCatHub]

It’s my opinion to turn off the water for sure. An empty house invites parties and squatters. I would however, leave the electricity on, window shades closed and a cheap radio, lamp, and timer to make noise and an appearance of people. Keep the lawn mowed, and make sure mail or papers do not accumulate. If Hubby is handy, he could locate one circuit in the breaker box, then disconnect the wires (one screw driver) from the other breakers. ‘Hub

[hnhlvr]

Bigboy - My house went into foreclosure because my husband lost his job. We're not out to abandon every responsibility, including paying utilites when the bills come. Since we moved only 10 minutes away from that house, we're still using the same power and water companies, so surely they wouldn't just let us NOT pay them at one house and let us have lights/heat at another? I will pay the bills from that house.

Hub - we quit mowing the yard because it's HUGE. It's a parcel of land, not a 50' X 70' lot and we had planned to keep it up, but now that my dh has a new job, he doesn't have time (and we sold the lawn equipment - lol). Hopefully the house is auctioned off soon so we do not have to worry at all!

[BassBoy]

Bigboy - My house went into foreclosure because my husband lost his job. We're not out to abandon every responsibility, including paying utilites when the bills come. Since we moved only 10 minutes away from that house, we're still using the same power and water companies, so surely they wouldn't just let us NOT pay them at one house and let us have lights/heat at another? I will pay the bills from that house.

Same situation for us. We're living in the same city and the utilities were just transferred to the new address, and whatever balance was owed on the old place was added to our new place. So yes, if this is the case, be careful.

I agree with BB2U. Shut off everything and make sure the utility companies come out and physically shut off the service. Whomever takes possession of the house after the sale should have to activate all utilities. That way there will be no surprises. I say this because when we requested everything be turned off (at the street), the water company never did this and when the new owner (house flipper/rehabber) came in after purchasing the home from thebank, he simply turned on the main in the house and started using the water. Well because he didn't have to call and have service turned on, the water company sent us the bill because we were the last known residents. Stupid idiots they were, but still, they really had no way of knowing. We were able to prove that we no longer owned this home and they did take care of it, but we had to show them all of the documents proving when the house was sold and who was the owner.

[hnhlvr]

The water co said they're sending physically coming out and locking the water off and will be charging a $35 fee for that.

Thanks for your post, Bassboy, I'll be sure to drive out and check to make sure the water has been turned off.

[No Gravy]

More reasons why I'm not budging until they make me

[Frogge]

My attorney told me to send notice

My atty is working on giving the house back to the lenders. When I asked him about shutting off utilities/ maintenance, he said to notify the lenders in writing that I intend to do so. I guess so they are aware.

I'm actually doing it today because the default notice starts foreclosure process on 8/16.

[AngelinaCatHub]

And what is the point of removing all the wires but one from the main panel? That is absolutely ridiculous and dangerous.

Bad advice and don't anyone ever think of doing it.

Kill the power to the house have the power company come and pull the meter. Turn off the water also. Post No Trespassing signs and if anyone enters have them arrested for criminal trespass.

Not at all. It isn't dangerous as I stated in my post that the person should be 'handy'. The reason is, keep only one circuit turned on for safety. Reasoning is this, remove the wires from simple screws in the breaker. No rocket science. This keeps a squatter from coming in, and turning on breakers to live on your dime. It will also burn up the hot water heater if the water has been off and the heater drains. It is assumed this work would be done with the power off, leaving the wires out of the breakers except on circuit. Then turn the main on.

I would not suggest this to anyone but a "Handy" person who knows wiring.

I will agree it was not a wise post, but it is what I would do. However I have a background in electronics, built two houses myself and have a complete understanding of a panel box that most people would not have. I withdraw my suggestion. 'Hub

[justplaintired]

My atty is working on giving the house back to the lenders. When I asked him about shutting off utilities/ maintenance, he said to notify the lenders in writing that I intend to do so. I guess so they are aware.

I'm actually doing it today because the default notice starts foreclosure process on 8/16.

This sounds very wise since what I have read on this forum more then once is that technically you're still responsible for the property. You can incur fines and such for not maintaining the property, such as yard.... The city will fine you for clean up. Best bet is to look after the property until it's completely out of your name. Notification of your intent with a registered letter seems to be a good move. This proves the letter was sent and make sure you keep a copy of the letter that was sent.

[No Gravy]

This keeps a squatter from coming in, and turning on breakers to live on your dime.

That's been a huge problem here in CA, and likely other areas, too. 'Tis why this captain is going down with the ship!

[AngelinaCatHub]

I am a general contractor and this is most stupidest thing you can ever do or even suggest to do. Out of all the things in a house that can kill you the only two are electricity and gas. Second a "handy person" is not an electrician and further more "handy people" screw up electrical more than any other thing. If a handy person makes an error on plumbing you get water damage when they screw up electrical people can die or house burn down.

To state this is not dangerous is false, misleading and plain out ignorant. To state that leaving one live circuit constitutes safety is crap. More electrical fires start due to improper wiring/repairs/installs that was a result of a non-licensed person working on it than ANY OTHER reason for house fires in the US.

DO you really feel that if someone breaks into your house and see that there is any power they wont pull the panel cover to see why there is no power to any other source, first thing they are going to do is flip on the breakers when that doesn't work the will remove the panel cover and then try to reconnect your mess. So then they start replacing wires in all the wrong places, they don't care if they are correct they want power. So then they get electrocuted and you get sued all because you didn't kill the power completely.

Even a licensed electrician wouldn't do something this stupid.

You have a live panel with two feeds of 120v down each of two sides of the buss bar. So now you go along a remove all the wires from the breakers and have lose wires floating around in the box. Not only is the ILLEGAL to have lose wires floating around in the box its extremely hazardous. You don't pull the 120 split 240V leg off multiple breakers that go to the range, hot water tank and baseboards (if you have electric heat). Plus a lot of people have sub panels that are fed from a 50 amp secondary breaker off the main buss. I mean this, only a frigging retard would remove all the wires from the breakers. The only and I mean only time this is done is when the main power is cut (meter pulled) and you are doing a panel change out and all wires are marked and labeled. I can't even tell you how many panel upgrades we have done and still mistakes are made and we go popping breakers until we sort it out. And those are the new Arc Fault breakers too.

If you replace a 15 amp circuit on a 20 amp rated breaker by mistake you are asking for a house fire. If you mix up the 240V to the hot water, range, dryer etc. and get them out of phase you will light that appliance up.

And I am even talking a 1970 + style panel not to mention that a lot of homes still have knob and tube and glass breakers.

THIS IS DANGEROUS ADVICE PLEAS NO ONE DO THIS, I DON'T CARE HOW "HANDY" YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU CAN KILL YOURSELF TRYING TO DO THIS AND IT DOES NOTHING TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS.

If you want to secure your home do this, turn off the water and drain all the water from the lowest point. Pour antifreeze into the toilets and drains, drain the hot water tank and have the power company remove the meter.

Post no trespassing sings in the windows on all four sides of your house. Give a neighbor your phone number and tell them to call you or the police if they see anyone in the house.

This is what responsible people do to secure a property.

In todays market, people are not looking to squat on your property they are looking to come in and remove all the copper wire and copper plumbing and fixtures. Squatting is less of a concern than meth heads taking all the appliances and copper.

OK, OK, I got the idea! 'Hub

[Rudolph]

I am a general contractor and this is most stupidest thing you can ever do or even suggest to do. Out of all the things in a house that can kill you the only two are electricity and gas. Second a "handy person" is not an electrician and further more "handy people" screw up electrical more than any other thing. If a handy person makes an error on plumbing you get water damage when they screw up electrical people can die or house burn down.

To state this is not dangerous is false, misleading and plain out ignorant. To state that leaving one live circuit constitutes safety is crap. More electrical fires start due to improper wiring/repairs/installs that was a result of a non-licensed person working on it than ANY OTHER reason for house fires in the US.

DO you really feel that if someone breaks into your house and see that there is any power they wont pull the panel cover to see why there is no power to any other source, first thing they are going to do is flip on the breakers when that doesn't work the will remove the panel cover and then try to reconnect your mess. So then they start replacing wires in all the wrong places, they don't care if they are correct they want power. So then they get electrocuted and you get sued all because you didn't kill the power completely.

Even a licensed electrician wouldn't do something this stupid.

You have a live panel with two feeds of 120v down each of two sides of the buss bar. So now you go along a remove all the wires from the breakers and have lose wires floating around in the box. Not only is the ILLEGAL to have lose wires floating around in the box its extremely hazardous. You don't pull the 120 split 240V leg off multiple breakers that go to the range, hot water tank and baseboards (if you have electric heat). Plus a lot of people have sub panels that are fed from a 50 amp secondary breaker off the main buss. I mean this, only a frigging retard would remove all the wires from the breakers. The only and I mean only time this is done is when the main power is cut (meter pulled) and you are doing a panel change out and all wires are marked and labeled. I can't even tell you how many panel upgrades we have done and still mistakes are made and we go popping breakers until we sort it out. And those are the new Arc Fault breakers too.

If you replace a 15 amp circuit on a 20 amp rated breaker by mistake you are asking for a house fire. If you mix up the 240V to the hot water, range, dryer etc. and get them out of phase you will light that appliance up.

And I am even talking a 1970 + style panel not to mention that a lot of homes still have knob and tube and glass breakers.

THIS IS DANGEROUS ADVICE PLEAS NO ONE DO THIS, I DON'T CARE HOW "HANDY" YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU CAN KILL YOURSELF TRYING TO DO THIS AND IT DOES NOTHING TO FIX ANY PROBLEMS.

If you want to secure your home do this, turn off the water and drain all the water from the lowest point. Pour antifreeze into the toilets and drains, drain the hot water tank and have the power company remove the meter.

Post no trespassing sings in the windows on all four sides of your house. Give a neighbor your phone number and tell them to call you or the police if they see anyone in the house.

This is what responsible people do to secure a property.

In todays market, people are not looking to squat on your property they are looking to come in and remove all the copper wire and copper plumbing and fixtures. Squatting is less of a concern than meth heads taking all the appliances and copper.

I agree with everything you have said EXCEPT for the part I boldfaced. single phase appliances, you can't mix it up. You CAN mix up the hot legs and nuetral legs, which is what I think you really meant, right?

[BKOnce]

Have compassion and sympathy for a thief. In the news, a thief got electrocuted/shocked to death because he came into house cutting live copper wires to sell to junk yards! ... Poor stupid guy...who didn't know that "live" circuit/wires are still hang around there!