Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Washington

To get to the bottom of that question�who is responsible�will likely cost more than paying the bill off in the first place. That said, what you write about the utility company is puzzling. I've had this situation come up, and as I recall, most of the time, upon showing proof that you are a new owner, that ends it right then and there. They hook up the new line. It's where they think you are a tenant of the old owner, or related to the old owner, or somehow connected to the old owner, trying to bilk them on the bill that they require you to pay the old bill.

You don't mention how much the bill is, but consider that my hourly rate is $225, and after 4-5 hours or work, maybe, just maybe, we get it all straightened out. Like I wrote earlier, it may be cheaper and more efficient to just pay the bill off and get going in your new home.