Can I Put My Electric Bill In Someone Else's Name?

Nobody likes bills, but unfortunately, we have to deal with them and make sure to pay them. However, making changes to your bill or updating your agreement is easier said than done. So, can you put your electric bill in someone else’s name?

The electric bill must be in the name of the property owner or someone residing in the house or apartment. If you reside with someone who isn’t documented as living at that address, it’s illegal to put a bill in their name. Contact the utility provider to switch the electric bill to the name of a legal resident of the home.

All that it takes is a phone call as long as everything checks out with the lease. Follow along as we explore what you can do to put your electric bill in someone else’s name.

You generally need to have electric and other utility bills in your name, and most landlords require that. If your name is on the lease, you should put your name on the electric bill. However, some leases have multiple tenants, and it’s okay for any of them to put their name on it.

In that case, you or any of your roommates can put the electric bill in their name without a problem. You can also put the electric bill in someone else’s name if it’s a spouse or relative that is on the list even if they don’t pay rent. The most important thing is that the electric bill must be in the name of someone that is officially on the lease agreement.

Allowing someone to live in a house without being on a lease is one of the things a landlord cannot do. Either way, it is nice to have the electric bill in your name if the utility company reports to credit bureaus. This can help you maintain good credit and even grow it over time with consistent payments each month.

NOTE: It is also legal to put an electric bill in someone else’s name if they don’t live there but are on the lease. This is common for parents that are on their older children’s lease, and it is perfectly okay to do. However, you can only put the bill in a third party’s name if they are officially on the lease.

You can transfer your electric bill to someone else’s name if you contact the service provider directly. The other person can’t switch their name over unless the person whose name is on the bill takes their name off of it. All that you need to do is call the provider and inform them that you want to take your name off of the bill.

Make sure to inform the electric company that someone else at your residence is putting their name on the bill. They may inquire to see if the new name is someone that is on the lease, and they can deny service if they aren’t. However, landlords will almost certainly take issue if you put the bill in someone’s name that doesn’t live there.

One benefit of this is that you may get your deposit back from the electric company if they made you pay one initially. As long as the new name is an official roommate, you can switch the electric bill to their name with a quick phone call.

Now, tell them that you wish to cancel the payment and take your name off of the bill. They may not let you do this if you just started on a billing cycle, but every company is different. Provide your name, username, and account information so that they can pull up your account.

They may ask you your social security information, address, or security questions to verify your identity. Brush up on all of these things before you call so that it’s easy to switch the account holder information over to the new holder.

This step doesn’t involve you at all and is up to the new account holder. Coordinate with the person that is putting their name on the account so that you can switch it over on the same day. This will prevent any fees and penalties that come with breaking your agreement.

You may receive your deposit back if the electric company made you pay one to set up an account. Some electric companies include deposits that you pay over a 5-6 month period, and you can get it back when you cancel. However, they won’t reimburse you for your deposit if you violated your contract with missed or late payments.

You can put electric and utility bills under two names, and it is common for married couples. It is easier if both residents have a joint bank account to pay the bill every month, or automatically take it. Otherwise, you can alternate payments, but it’s easier to have one form of payment on file.

Joint bank accounts are common in marriages, and you can pay bills and even mortgage payments with them. However, make sure that you put both names on all bills that you pay from your joint bank account. This is to keep clean, accurate, and file your tax return the next tax season.

Switch your electric bill to someone else’s name before the next billing period begins. Refer to your utility agreement and see when one billing period ends and the next starts. You’ll need to either link a new debit or credit card to the account or mail-in payments with a check.

However, you need to switch your utilities over 2-3 weeks before you move if you are changing residences. This will prevent you from paying utility bills for a home that you don’t live at anymore. Of course, you can only do this if you’ve already purchased a home and made a down payment, or if you signed a lease.

You can put your electric bill in someone else’s name, but only if the other party consents to it. It is only possible if you contact your electric company and provide them with your account information. Some electric companies only let you change the bill over if you’re right at the end or at the beginning of the billing period.

They typically ask you to verify your account information which includes your address, phone number, email address, and security questions. Next, the new account holder will have to add a payment method for the company to keep on file. Make sure that they add their information the same day that you take your name off of the bill.

You can also add a name to your electric bill if it is a joint account you share with a spouse. It is easy to change the name on your electric bill, and all that it takes is a phone call.