At the end of tenancy,any amount owed will be the obligation of remaining residents; any amount refunded will be returned via one check payable to all remainingresidents.2.

the reason any and all parties that could be named in a lawsuit are named from the beginning is because in the discovery process of litigation, it may be uncovered that you (personally) are liable (through piercing your corporate veil or other deliberate acts) and that suing attorney can have additional recourses (EG your personal assets) to go after. 

I had to eventually get in touch with one of the officers of the corporation that owns the management company to get action.

Is there any legal obligation to pay the unpaid utilities?

You do not want your rental properties taxed at a corporate rate. 

I do think you are morally obligated to give the tenant a heads up of what's coming and sufficient time to find a new place if they can't afford what the new rent will be.

.-- If you’re as nuts as I am read the local area development plans and research planned corporate and other investments.

I don't really spend much on myself so I can remove myself from the corporate world as soon as possible.

First, the potential for tax write-offs makes it an attractive financial strategy, allowing me to optimize my tax obligations while building equity.

From my understanding, the legal obligation is a 7 day notice for a month-to-month lease in North Carolina.