In California is it legal for utility companies to turn water or electricity off knowing that people are living in the home and without written notice? The tenant who was the original lease holder and was paying the rent has been gone without giving official notice to the remaining tenants. The Landlord gave remaining tenants a notice to pay or quit that is half way through its course. Water company shut off water and electric company states they will shut off power too. Landlord is aware water is off but refuses to reply to any questions. --73.241.xx.xx

Is that about right? --104.230.xxx.xx

I know many written notices and probably a phone call preceded the turn off. The landlord can’t turn off utilities but the utility company can. Good for them. --99.23.xxx.x

I went to court against the squatter and the Health Department. --47.155.xx.xxx

Sounds like an elderly covid death. The rest of the family was depending on the SS and the pension and now that is all gone. I suspect this is happening all over. The rock of the family has gone to rest, leaving the pebbles rolling around with no place to go. --71.104.xx.xxx

James to elaborate on what Robin stated, PAY YOUR BILLS AND MOVE, Nobody owes you anything. --174.196.xxx.xx

Contact the Utility Company for your city. Here in San Diego it's San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE). They will only turn off services for the person named on the BILLING. AND during the Covid-19 they won't turn off anything if it's just a non-payment case. Tenant's daughter was supposed to pay SDGE and did not for 7 months. It stayed on until her co-tenant dad found out. He cut it off and moved. SHE stayed with no Electricity for almost 3 more weeks. However SDGE does NOT shut off gas. It's more cost effective to leave it on so a service tech doesn't have to come out and light everything. Also water district here won't shut off water for non-payment right now. They will if the the person on the BILLING calls them. All depends on what your city is doing. --72.199.xx.xxx

--73.241.xx.xx

I am in bay area --73.241.xx.xx

Being in the Bay Area anything is possible. Response was based on Southern California. --99.23.xxx.x

Did the water go off because he took it out off his name or because he requested a shutoff while still in his name? I had the impression that utilities must remain on while any one is occupying a home. --73.241.xx.xx

Your question was answered above. If a tenant is paying utilities and they stopped paying it is not the responsibility of the LL. That is between the utility company and who has the service. Most utility company shut offs for non-payment have been restarted in the last few months. --50.5.xxx.xx

Where'd you go wrong in life? Maybe address that before worrying about ways to manipulate the system. --73.177.xxx.xx

So how can one have water restored if the utility company won't do it without a lease? It can be payed for but the landlord never let me know if the tenant who paid rent officially moved out. --73.241.xx.xx

I am ignoring personal opinions and emotion based answers. Just give experience advice or law and code based information. Thanks --73.241.xx.xx

ONLY the name on the Billing can turn off or change the services. If your service is OFF, anyone who pays the deposit fees and gives access to the residence can turn things back om. I'm sure your utility companies vet those applying for services? They will ask for proof you actually live there, or that you OWN the property. Landlord not responsible for utilities being on or off if the tenant was the person whose name the bill was in. Only time Landlord is responsible for 'services' is (San Diego specific again) when nobody is paying the trash bill and the trash company (per city agreement) bills the Homeowner who must pay or have a lien put on the property in question, occupied by tenants or not. Happened to me once. Now I keep the bill in MY name. --72.199.xx.xxx

If you owe money, pay it. --157.131.xxx.xxx

You should transfer the utilities into your name, assuming you want the utilities on. In addition, you might want to file suit against your former roommate. --71.233.xxx.xx

The tenants were always there living with the paying tenant. The tenant who was paying rent disappeared without official notice. However it was not due to remaining tenants not paying anything. Now the remaining tenants are still in the house without water. How can it be turned on? The water company stated they need a lease agreement to do it. --73.241.xx.xx

Tenants are willing to pay water but cannot --73.241.xx.xx

James what exactly transpired that the LL won’t give the remaining inhabitants a new lease? Aside from that, you have received answers to your question, you just aren’t liking what you were told. --174.196.xxx.xx

Like I said, you can have services turned on in YOUR name if you can prove you live there. If they want a 'lease' you will need to get a lease as proof. Not the utility company's fault if someone else stopped paying. If you were living there without a lease (signed by you and landlord) then I suggest you contact Landlord and SIGN a lease and pay rent. I always have 'added' people sign the lease agreement. Can't stay in a place for free. Example: Sometimes a hubby and wife split up, hubby was paying all the bills, his name only, wife can't just stay free, she must somehow deal with the Landlord and pay the rent and any utilities. If the Landlord refuses to give you a lease, you will have to check with your current city rules about eviction. Landlord might be willing to start water for you and you pay them for the water bill. Might ask the Landlord if they will agree to that. --72.199.xx.xxx

If so, there are very strict rules concerning this. --157.131.xxx.xxx

If tenants have to leave then they leave. The goal is to have water until that happens. Willing to pay water but can't. Solution? --73.241.xx.xx

--157.131.xxx.xxx

It’s time to move son, the ride is over, exit to the left! You are/were living somewhere where you weren’t on the lease. The tenant that signed the lease has moved out, the utility company shut off the water, you have 2 options, have the LL write up and have you sign a new lease, or move. Based on the fact that you are asking this question I’m fairly certain the LL isn’t willing to sign you as a tenant, certainly there’s more to this story than you’re relaying! --174.196.xxx.xx

If the LL has given you 30 days to move then you will just need to move or you will end up in court and then you will have a hard time finding a place to rent. I am sure that the LL has good reason to give notice. It sounds to me like the reason is that none of you were on the lease and are not paying rent. Is that right? --73.120.xx.xxx

Instead of focusing on if it’s allowed, focus on getting a lease and paying rent where you are or somewhere else. When you do that there won’t be a water problem. --107.77.xxx.xx

Not all James are the same, this one pays bills. --62.216.xxx.xxx

You can't turn them on. So just leave. --99.203.xx.xxx

You can't turn them on. So just leave. --99.203.xx.xxx

The first person you run into at their service center will be sure to say that they don’t know anything about this law, or even deny that it exists. You need to insist on your rights. The compliance officer for the Bay Area water company’s is Ms. Helen Waite. So first thing tomorrow, march yourself down to the water company and go to Helen Waite. --98.13.xx.xxx

Any comments about squatting and arrogant toned comments are being ignored. If squatters took over your property that is wrong. This is not that case and I won't, and don't have to explain any further than what I have wrote. Once again landlord will not reply to anything. He also won't give official proof that the paying tenant actually left or moved and neither will the tenant themself. I am on the lease and the landlord has known I have been at the home several years without question. He did not do a walkthrough knowing the house is in bad condition and has known since before we came in. He ignores all requests for repair even before this matter.Even if I was not on a lease I am asking a straight forward question with factual answers that codes can back. Not opinions. I will only reply to answers addressing the main question which is is it legal and how or how not by code and law for Bay Area.Thank you --172.58.xx.xxx

@RJ problem is I do not who's name the water is in at this point. So I cannot put it in my name because the landlord will not talk to me to do so. I asked both him and paying tenant. Neither will answer.So now what? Thanks --172.58.xx.xxx

My guess, as others above, the reason the landlord is not in contact with you is because they want you gone ... for whatever reason. --72.70.xxx.x

Because the landlord will not confirm officially that the paying renter has left or not. --172.58.xx.xxx

"the paying renter" --73.177.xxx.xx

You wouldn't expect your doctor to help you without you answering some questions for him to diagnose your problems, right? --73.120.xx.xxx

This thread is complete nonsense, I am baffled anyone is willing to help the OP. First he said “how can one have water restored if the utility company won't do it without a lease”, then he said “I am on the lease and the landlord has known I have been at the home several years without question”. He also stated in the beginning that “ The Landlord gave remaining tenants a notice to pay or quit that is half way through its course.” I call BS on this whole thing. My guess is the LL wants them gone and old James here is trying to find a way to beat the system and stay as long as he can but the water being shut off put a damper on his plans! --174.196.xxx.xx

JKJ, I think you are 100% correct but I wanted more details. I think it is a learning experience, for me anyway. --73.120.xx.xxx

I hear ya 6X6, no worries my friend. --174.196.xxx.xx

This guy is a piece of work...giving us attitude because the landlords on this site won't tell him how to screw over another landlord. UNREAL! --174.247.xx.xxx

--108.69.xxx.xxx