A Quick Guide on How to Switch Utilities to Your Name
Ugh! Bills! No one enjoys dealing with them. But tackle them, you must. Otherwise, you’ll face bigger problems. If you hate paying your utility bills, we bet you loathe making changes to them even more because of the hassles involved.
Unfortunately, you may need to do so occasionally due to shifts in your life situations. For example, getting married or divorced will often lead to surname changes, or your roommate may move out, forcing you to transfer the utility bills solely in your name.
We’ve created this article to help reduce the inconvenience of changing the account holder details in your utility services and putting the electric bill in your name.
Does an Electric Bill Have to be in Your Name?
The law dictates that the electric utility bill must be in the name of the property owner or anyone who resides in the house or apartment. So if you’re the homeowner, all utility bills are usually in your name. The same requirement applies if you rent an apartment. If your name is on the lease, you should put your name on the electric utility bill.
When the apartment lease has multiple tenants, you can put the power bill in the name of those in the lease agreement. Your spouse or relative can also be the account holder in the utility companies’ records even if they don’t pay the rent. The important thing is that the name on the bill must be a person who is on the lease.
The utility bill can likewise be in the name of someone who doesn’t live in the apartment, provided they are on the lease. Take the case of parents who are on their adult children’s lease. The bill can be in the parents’ name even if they don’t stay in the apartment.
Why Do People Change the Name in their Energy Bill?
Changing the name of the designated account holder in a utility bill can be a bit of a hassle, so it’s something that people don’t do on a whim. However, even if you want to avoid the inconvenience of dealing with the utility company, you may have to do so because of several situations.
Name Change Due to Marriage or Divorce
Getting married or divorced often leads to changes in your surname. You can call your utility company and explain the reason for the name change. These companies often allow name modification for valid reasons. However, some may require you to file a new application for a utility account. In such instances, you’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
Removing Someone from the Account
In some situations, you may have shared the utility bill with another person, maybe a partner or a relative. If that person moves out, you’ll need to change the account holder’s information and remove the person’s name from the account.
You can simply call the service provider to inquire about switching the electric bill in your name and provide proof of why you’re changing some details in the account holder’s information. Evidence that explains why you’re now the sole tenant or homeowner, such as a death certificate if your partner passed away, is an example of such proof.
Changing the Account Holder
If you moved to a new house or apartment, you shouldn’t use the previous owner’s name on the utility account. Using the existing account information could cause some trouble in the future. Instead, create a new utility account under your name for the new address.
Account Holder Responsibilities
When you apply for a new utility account, the service provider will conduct a credit history check as a matter of course. This is to ascertain that you have a good payment history and haven’t defaulted on any utility bills. Be prepared to supply the necessary documents that will prove your identity to the utility company.
How To Change The Name on Your Electric Bill?
Changing the name on your electric bill need not be a colossal hassle. It often entails reaching out to the utility company to update your account holder information or create a new utility account.
On the other hand, if you’re moving, you’ll also need to change the name on the bill at your old address and let the new owner or tenant take over the billing responsibilities. For this, you’ll need to coordinate with your service provider to transfer the bill to someone else’s name. But prior to calling the company, make sure you know the account number and the phone number associated with the electric bill. The utility company will ask for that information before changing the name on the account.
After determining the account number and the phone number connected with the account, you can do the following.
Contact the Energy Provider
Reach out to the electric company and request a bill transfer. Find out what you need to do to make the switch to someone else’s name seamlessly. Some companies require that the potential account holder registers for the utility account the same day you cancel the agreement with the service provider.
Cancel Your Payment
Inform the utility company that you want to cancel your payment and remove your name from the electric bill. Take note that they may not let you cancel if you’ve started a new billing cycle, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Provide the pertinent information, such as your name, username, and other account holder information. Be ready with your address, social security number, or security questions associated with your account, as service providers may require those details.
Set Up a New Account
The new account holder will need to take care of this step. However, you can facilitate the process by coordinating with the person who will put their name on the account. Transferring the electric bill to the new account holder on the same day they register can prevent any fees or penalties the electric company may charge you for early termination of the agreement.
How to Transfer Utilities to Someone Else’s Name
You’ll need to contact the service providers if you intend to transfer the utilities in someone else’s name. The responsibility for the switch falls squarely on your shoulders as the other party can’t alter the account holder’s information unless you take your name off the bill.
Inform the power company that someone else will be taking over the payments and will need to put their name on the bill. Most service providers will inquire if the person’s name is on the lease. They may deny service if the person named isn’t. In any case, landlords, too, won’t let you put someone else’s name on the utility bill if that person isn’t included in the lease.
If you paid a deposit for your electricity service, the power company might give your deposit back when you switch the bill to someone else’s name.
Can You Put an Electric Bill under Two Names?
It’s common for married couples to put both their names on their utility bills. But it’s not just married couples who subscribe to the practice. Anyone who lives together and shares the expenses can do the same.
Putting two names on your bills works best if you and the other person have a joint bank account where you get the payment for the utility expenses. Using joint bank accounts makes it easier to simply have the utility payments get automatically deducted from whichever of your accounts you use.
Follow these steps to put yours and someone else’s name on the bill.
Inform You Energy Provider
To inform your service provider of your intention to put two names on the account, you can call the company or go to their office to speak to a customer service representative in person.
If you do the transaction over the phone, choose the option “billing management” or “billing representative” when prompted. Choose “set up a new account” if you want to open a new account under two names.
Provide all of the Necessary Information
The service provider will want to know why you want to add someone else’s name to the bill. Be ready to answer all questions and submit the necessary documents. If you already have an account with the company, provide the details, such as name, address, account number, and password. Different service providers have varying procedures, so make sure you understand their instructions and follow them accordingly.
Personal Appearance for some Company
The company may request that you and the other person appear in their office to confirm your identities. Bring along the necessary supporting documents and answer all their questions about your reasons for putting the bill under two names.
Can I pay Someone Else’s Bill?
If you do it legally, there’s nothing wrong with paying someone else’s utility bill. Let’s say you want to help somebody by settling their power bill. You give them the money for the payment or pay the bill yourself from your bank account. That’s legal.
However, it’s illegal to use someone else’s bank account or sign a check using the other person’s name to pay the bill. That’s considered identity fraud. Sign your name in settling the payment to avoid any problems.
When should I Switch my Utility Provider?
You’ll need to transfer your electric bill to someone else’s name before the start of the next billing cycle. You can find the information in your utility contract, which indicates when the billing period begins and when the next one starts.
If you’re moving to a new home, switch utilities around 3 weeks before you move in. This is so you won’t need to pay the bills for a home where you no longer reside.
Dealing with Identity Fraud
Someone may use your name to pay for their bills. This is called identity theft or fraud, which is a crime. Should you experience this unfortunate incident, take action immediately. Here are the steps you can take.
Contact your Electric Company
Well, not just your electric company but also the banks and other financial service providers, and inform them of the issue. Alerting them allows the said companies to track the culprit and prevent the person from further compromising your finances by using your identity. Close the account and instruct the providers to stop all transactions promptly.
Check For Other Possible Compromised Accounts
Identity fraud could have extended into other aspects of your finances. These include your bank accounts, credit cards, safety deposit boxes, and other services containing your personal information. Check these components and make the necessary arrangements with the associated companies.
Thoroughly Check your Bank Account
Most banks alert their customers to suspicious activities on their accounts. However, if the culprit is careful, the unauthorized transactions may go unnoticed. Check your financial accounts for purchases or withdrawals so you can act on them as soon as possible.
Check for Viruses on your Devices
Your identity may have been stolen as a result of your online activities. In such instances, viruses could have corrupted your computers or gadgets. Use an effective antivirus to scan your system. If the results come out negative, seek the help of an expert to ensure that your devices are clean or replace them altogether.
Prepare IDs or other form of Identification
You’ll need your IDs or other forms of identification to resume transactions with your service providers. However, make sure these providers can safeguard your identity before continuing transactions with them.
File a Police Report
You may think this is unnecessary or an added inconvenience. However, filing a report could help trace the identity thief and prevent them from committing the same crime to other people.
FAQs
What is the Cheapest Way to Pay for Electricity?
A monthly direct debit is the cheapest way to settle your electricity bill. With this payment method, your electricity payments are deducted from your bank account, usually on the same date. This lessens the risk that you’ll forget to pay on time. In addition, most providers offer a discount when you pay this way.
What Uses the Most Electricity?
Keeping the temperature in your home at a comfortable level requires electricity. Lots of it, in fact. That’s because your HVAC system consumes the most energy compared to other appliances and electronics. Cooling and heating account for around 47 percent of a home’s energy usage.
Who is Liable for the Electricity Bill?
The person whose name appears on the energy bill is liable for paying the amount associated with the account. If your name is on the bill, then you’re responsible for the monthly payments. However, having your name on the bill can be an advantage, as it can help you build a good credit history. That’s if you pay your bills on time.
Does Unplugging Appliances Save Electricity?
Keeping your appliances plugged in all the time wastes electricity. That’s because even when they’re turned off, electronics continue drawing electric power as long as they’re plugged into the socket. Their consumption may be small, but it adds up and can increase your energy expenses.
Conclusion
It can be a bit of a hassle to put the electric bill in your name. Still, you’re obliged to do so; otherwise, you could run into some trouble. Having the account in your name also offers the benefit of building your credit reputation if you have a good payment history.
You can add someone else’s name to the bill, provided the person lives on the premises and the name also appears on the lease. You can accomplish this task online or do it in person. You’ll simply need to provide the necessary information and present the required documents.
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