Utilities Revert to Owner

[Aaron Lands]

For most of my properties I have utilities automatically switched back into my name when tenants move out.  This helps to elimate service being cut off and then going through the hassle and expense of having them reconnected.  Anyway, I had a tenant whose lease ended yesterday, July 31 (they paid their full July rent).  I discovered that they actually moved to another home at the end of June, which is fine because they still paid June and July rent.  They called and had utilities switched back to me (without my knowledge) at the end of June.  I informed the tenant that they are responsible for paying utilities until the end of their lease, but they refuse to pay.  No biggie, I'll just add it to an itemized list and take it out of their security deposit.  Has anyone else had a similar experience?  Hard to believe that tenants are permitted to switch utilities out of their name whenever they wish and that utility companies allow it to happen without notifying the owner.

[Brendon Woirhaye]

I've had this happen, which has always been fine with me.  It probably will continue to be fine until some enterprising tenant tells the utility that they are moving and then doesn't, and uses the utility on my dime.