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Legal Line Question of the Week

Switching Electricity  & Gas Accounts in NYC I have been asked by my purchaser of a condominium unit in  New York City how to switch the electricity from the seller’s  account to their own account? How is this done and is  the purchaser responsible for the seller’s unpaid bills? Once the closing date is established, the purchaser should contact  Con Edison to inform them that the account should be switched to  the purchaser’s name on the scheduled closing date.  Con Edison  may ask for documentation which will indicate that there will be  a new owner of the unit.  The purchaser will establish a new account  with Con Edison and a final electric bill will be sent to the seller.   The purchaser will not be responsible for the seller’s balance.   It is also prudent for the seller to contact Con Edison so as to verify  that the account was switched over to the purchaser’s name. If gas is metered separately in the condominium, then the same  procedure will apply for switching gas accounts.  Depending on  the location of the condominium unit, either Con Edison or  National Grid (as the case may be) will need to be notified. By: Neil B. Garfinkel,  REBNY Residential Counsel