Money Received a water bill for a home that I haven’t owned for 4 years...

arrowheadnation · 01-27-2021, 07:56 PM

Hoping someone who know something about real estate closings and liabilities of buyers and sellers might be able to answer a question. I live in Kansas. Four years ago I moved from one city to another in the same county. At closing, it was agreed that all utilities would be left on for the new owner. This week I received a water bill from the previous city stating that I have charges due with a threat to send it to collections if I don’t pay. My question is I hope a simple one. After closing is completed on a property in the state of Kansas, do any remaining water/utility bills become the liability of the new owner? Or am I really on the hook for this? Many thanks for any help.

Mephistopheles Janx · 01-27-2021, 08:26 PM

I have always had to call the utility company and cancel the service any time I've sold a house... the new owner has the responsibility of calling in and setting up service under their name.

The new homeowner wouldn't have the right or ability to cancel service on your behalf. If you didn't call and cancel it, you may very well be on the hook for it.

/source - just sold a home in Kansas, I held a realtor's license, and my mother is still a realtor.

Hog's Gone Fishin · 01-27-2021, 08:30 PM

I would make a copy of the sales contract for the property and send it to the utility company and state you're not responsible for the bill.

and if you haven't received a monthly Bill for 4 years it may just be as simple as they rebooted their system and it defaulted back to an earlier time. That has happened to me several times. Give them a call.

tyecopeland · 01-27-2021, 08:33 PM

When I sold my house in one town I contacted the city utilities and had it set to disconnect two days after closing. So it was still on for the new owners but had a cancelation date on my account.

That said, the house I bought from my brother in a different city on rural electric I just had switched from his name to mine. I dont think he had to call in or anything

Hog's Gone Fishin · 01-27-2021, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

When I sold my house in one town I contacted the city utilities and had it set to disconnect two days after closing. So it was still on for the new owners but had a cancelation date on my account.

That said, the house I bought from my brother in a different city on rural electric I just had switched from his name to mine. I dont think he had to call in or anything

Ah , that brings up a good point. Since he never canceled maybe the people moved out , had it taken out of their name and it reverted back to previous owner.

Sorce · 01-28-2021, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyecopeland

When I sold my house in one town I contacted the city utilities and had it set to disconnect two days after closing. So it was still on for the new owners but had a cancelation date on my account.

That said, the house I bought from my brother in a different city on rural electric I just had switched from his name to mine. I dont think he had to call in or anything

I did the same on the MO side. Had the shut off day 2 days after closing to give the new owners time to set up water in their name.

KS Smitty · 01-28-2021, 05:28 PM

When I worked for our city if water bills became delinquent and remained unpaid we would certify it to the county clerk and have it added to the property taxes.

Chief Roundup · 01-28-2021, 05:39 PM

Yeah, you are gonna have to pay this most likely.
You can check the paperwork from closing and double-check. Either way though most likely since you left it in your name you are accepting responsibility for that water bill during that time. Keep in mind that utility bills run a month behind. So if it is only a month's bill you probably did owe it either way.

**Bwana** · 01-28-2021, 06:00 PM

How big of a bill is it?

scho63 · 01-28-2021, 06:08 PM

The fact that you are claiming this is 4 years old is not adding up.

Is this the first time you ever got this bill?

Is it just a small amount like $30 for a short period for arrears that someone forgot to pay?

If this is the first time the billed you for this oversight, they aren't going to threaten collections.

I would 100% call the water company directly for clarification.

There is something missing from your story.

sedated · 01-28-2021, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin

Ah , that brings up a good point. Since he never canceled maybe the people moved out , had it taken out of their name and it reverted back to previous owner.

That's what I was thinking, although I wasn't sure if that has more to do with renters/landlord. (Renter moves out, it goes back to landlord)

Flying High D · 01-28-2021, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

How big of a bill is it?

14” CP standard

SuperBowl4 · 01-28-2021, 11:53 PM

You left out the most important detail, how much was the bill?

01-27-2021, 07:56 PM
arrowheadnation MONTANA #19 Join Date: Mar 2005 Casino cash: $6227357	Received a water bill for a home that I haven’t owned for 4 years... Hoping someone who know something about real estate closings and liabilities of buyers and sellers might be able to answer a question. I live in Kansas. Four years ago I moved from one city to another in the same county. At closing, it was agreed that all utilities would be left on for the new owner. This week I received a water bill from the previous city stating that I have charges due with a threat to send it to collections if I don’t pay. My question is I hope a simple one. After closing is completed on a property in the state of Kansas, do any remaining water/utility bills become the liability of the new owner? Or am I really on the hook for this? Many thanks for any help.
Posts: 4,218

01-27-2021, 08:26 PM	#2
Mephistopheles Janx The Demon Preacher Join Date: Jan 2017 Casino cash: $1912400	I have always had to call the utility company and cancel the service any time I've sold a house... the new owner has the responsibility of calling in and setting up service under their name. The new homeowner wouldn't have the right or ability to cancel service on your behalf. If you didn't call and cancel it, you may very well be on the hook for it. /source - just sold a home in Kansas, I held a realtor's license, and my mother is still a realtor.
Posts: 9,953

01-27-2021, 08:30 PM	#3
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1630477	I would make a copy of the sales contract for the property and send it to the utility company and state you're not responsible for the bill. and if you haven't received a monthly Bill for 4 years it may just be as simple as they rebooted their system and it defaulted back to an earlier time. That has happened to me several times. Give them a call.
Posts: 40,365	3 0

01-27-2021, 08:33 PM	#4
tyecopeland Veteran Join Date: May 2019 Casino cash: $2250400	When I sold my house in one town I contacted the city utilities and had it set to disconnect two days after closing. So it was still on for the new owners but had a cancelation date on my account. That said, the house I bought from my brother in a different city on rural electric I just had switched from his name to mine. I dont think he had to call in or anything __________________
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01-28-2021, 05:28 PM	#7
KS Smitty Cool as a Cucumber Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: on the edge Casino cash: $3666717	When I worked for our city if water bills became delinquent and remained unpaid we would certify it to the county clerk and have it added to the property taxes. __________________ A D with Sneed is a D indeed.
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01-28-2021, 05:39 PM	#8
Chief Roundup Admitted Planet Junky Join Date: Oct 2000 Casino cash: $1991627	Yeah, you are gonna have to pay this most likely. You can check the paperwork from closing and double-check. Either way though most likely since you left it in your name you are accepting responsibility for that water bill during that time. Keep in mind that utility bills run a month behind. So if it is only a month's bill you probably did owe it either way. __________________ Fanaticism is nowhere. There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
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01-28-2021, 06:00 PM	#9
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139473647	How big of a bill is it? __________________ Adventure is dangerous....but monotony can kill you.
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01-28-2021, 06:08 PM	#10
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2701110	The fact that you are claiming this is 4 years old is not adding up. Is this the first time you ever got this bill? Is it just a small amount like $30 for a short period for arrears that someone forgot to pay? If this is the first time the billed you for this oversight, they aren't going to threaten collections. I would 100% call the water company directly for clarification. There is something missing from your story. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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01-28-2021, 11:53 PM	#13
SuperBowl4 MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: HERMOSA BEACH,CA Casino cash: $8024900	You left out the most important detail, how much was the bill?
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