Turning off electricity service while tenant is living there

[Jorge Liang]

Los Angeles market. Tenant pays rent on time. He has not paid utilities since Aug 2022. I am currently going through the Small Claims process to recover the unpaid amount. The electricity utility account is under my name (a mistake, I know). I have called LADWP (electricity provider), and they confirmed that the homeowner is not responsible for unpaid bills if the bill is under the tenant's name - even after the tenant vacates the property.

Given what LADWP is telling me, I am inclined to stop service ASAP and inform the tenant to start service in his name. I plan to give tenant 3 day notice (less if I can) via mail and email. What are the steps I need to follow to make sure I am doing this correctly without exposing myself to legal challenges?