Tenant moved out 10 days early and wants to pay utilities until move out date not lease end. Lease was until months end and key was returned on first next month. Utility company does not allow to have bill in tenants name and I therefore it has to be prorated. Online I found that tenant is not responsible for utilities after leaving premises. House is in Washington state and nothing addresses this in tenant law in WA.

Question is prorate until months end or move out time.

What would make he tenant responsible for utilities consumed after he has vacated?

YES, but after he has moved out, he is no longer consuming any utilities. Why would he owe?

Of course he owes for his share of utilities consumed up through last day of occupation. But why would he owe for anything consumed after that?

Joe,

Me?

1. Res is responsible for utils while in possession. Returned possession on ____ .

2. My lease is clear: I only do full months at move out so no matter what day he moved out Res covers utils thru the month. I cannot control the actual day he moves and many people move out early.

I DO convert the utils to the next Res as soon as they move in which might make his util days shorter.

Sounds like both 1 and 2 are the same date in your situation.

With some utils you can call for a meter reading at any time.

With sewer we simply average the bill by days or bill at a flat rate then tally the balance at move out.

The tenant is responsible for the utilities until the lease ends or until a new tenant is placed in the unit. You should also know that in the State of Washington, the tenant cannot bring any claim against you unless the rent and utilities are current:

RCW 59.18.080

Payment of rent condition to exercising remedies — Exceptions.

The tenant shall be current in the payment of rent including all utilities which the tenant has agreed in the rental agreement to pay before exercising any of the remedies accorded him or her under the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That this section shall not be construed as limiting the tenant's civil remedies for negligent or intentional damages: PROVIDED FURTHER, That this section shall not be construed as limiting the tenant's right in an unlawful detainer proceeding to raise the defense that there is no rent due and owing.

We are probably talking about a very small amount of money here. If they were a good tenant that has already paid you thousands in rent, I would probably just absorb this cost. Your biggest windfall will come by renting the unit quickly to another great tenant.