Utilities in my name or the tenants? | Ontario Real Estate Investing

Do I put Utilities in my name or the tenants?

A common question I receive is whether or not the landlord should pay the utilities.

If you have the ability to place the expenses in the tenants name you should do so. (Electricity, Water & Sewer, Natural gas)

A couple reasons why you should let them pay the expenses are :

Less headaches for you when you have to pay the bills constantly
Less of a headache when you realize your tenants left on vacation and kept the heat cranked to 80 degrees. (Or keep the A/C cranked in the hot summer months)
Your tenants may be able to get support with paying their utilities through government assisted programs if they fall on hard times.The YMCA has a long history of assisting tenants with getting the help they require to pay their utilities. *Something you would not qualify for*