Short answer
Service gaps can affect habitability and damage property. The lease should identify responsibility, while the handover plan handles timing.
What to do next
Confirm account start dates for each utility and share meter or account instructions before move-in.
Save the current lease, dated messages, receipts and any property-specific evidence together. A useful record shows what happened, when it happened and which document or rule you relied on.
Check the source
Rules may change and the right answer can depend on the home, city, lease and timing. Review the current official material before signing, charging a fee, sending a notice or making a legal decision.
Texas State Law Library — Landlord/Tenant Law ↗
Put it into your workflow
A repeatable process turns a one-time answer into a reliable rental record. Capture the action in your property file, assign a follow-up date if needed and make sure any tenant communication matches the signed agreement.
Confirm account start dates for each utility and share meter or account instructions before move-in.
General information for U.S. landlords, with a Texas focus. This guide is not legal, tax or accounting advice. Consult a qualified professional for your situation.