Thats weak.
Thats weak.
I have to agree...
Sometimes it's better not to post, that backtracking left skid marks.
What? Are you agreeing with me or ??
Honest confusion
Um no. You're just being a jackass. How would he explain it differently if it was under his name? Either way, I assumed wrong.
Hey shut up!
OK being I work for OG&E and have/had extensive experience in billing and collections in regards to the customer of record I can share some insight.
First as the OP found out the utility company in OK can not hold the property owner responsible for the electric bill UNLESS the previous customer is a family member and shared services can be proven by the utility company. We have ways to prove that as we have access to a database that all of the utilities use along with some other records that are non-utility based that report to this database. So the utility companies do have ways to see if the previous bill owing person is still there and or if someone is trying to put service in their name to help someone out.
Now if you are truly a legit property owner and the tenant has skipped out and left you a bill try all avenues with the utility company first, if they wont budge then open a dispute with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Once the case is open and the facts are known and if you as the property owner are on the up and up they will side with you and force the utility company to take contract without paying the bill. This only works with the major electric companies like OG&E and PSO, the co-ops are exempt the rulings of the OCC in OK.
With that the best thing I will say, if you are a property owner NEVER EVER EVER keep the electric in your name to help someone or a renter out. You will get stuck with the bill if the tenant bails or you could be put in a scenario where you could be liable for the bill from the tenant. We call landlords who help sleaze ball tenants slumlords. If the shoes fits.......
While all utility companies want to collect on past due and final bills some of it does not get collected. Those write off balances end up affecting what we all pay for electric, so bear that in mind.
First as the OP found out the utility company in OK can not hold the property owner responsible for the electric bill UNLESS the previous customer is a family member and shared services can be proven by the utility company. We have ways to prove that as we have access to a database that all of the utilities use along with some other records that are non-utility based that report to this database. So the utility companies do have ways to see if the previous bill owing person is still there and or if someone is trying to put service in their name to help someone out.
Now if you are truly a legit property owner and the tenant has skipped out and left you a bill try all avenues with the utility company first, if they wont budge then open a dispute with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Once the case is open and the facts are known and if you as the property owner are on the up and up they will side with you and force the utility company to take contract without paying the bill. This only works with the major electric companies like OG&E and PSO, the co-ops are exempt the rulings of the OCC in OK.
With that the best thing I will say, if you are a property owner NEVER EVER EVER keep the electric in your name to help someone or a renter out. You will get stuck with the bill if the tenant bails or you could be put in a scenario where you could be liable for the bill from the tenant. We call landlords who help sleaze ball tenants slumlords. If the shoes fits.......
While all utility companies want to collect on past due and final bills some of it does not get collected. Those write off balances end up affecting what we all pay for electric, so bear that in mind.
