1st time renter - utility questions

[Kelly McMahon]

Hi everyone! I have a question about what to do with the electric and water when showing the rental, do you leave them on and keep paying for them or shut them off? I have personally been shown rentals that do both but I wanted your all opinions, thanks!

[Steve Babiak]

I keep them on as well. But I will shut off the main water valve in the basement if I am not going to be showing for a few days, then turn it back on when I do the next showing (to prevent an "aw crap" water leak when nobody's there).

You need electricity to have lighting for evening showings IMO, and lots of people want to look after work, hence the evening showings.

And every now and then some prospect will turn on a faucet or flush a toilet, but most don't bother (surprisingly maybe, but I've learned that is the norm).