Anyone have an answer and/or opinion regarding this?

[Kingxray]

Okay, I know this has been discussed before but I'm interested in what happened to others who have experienced this.

We are surrendering a house in our BK. After checking with our lawyer first, we cancelled the utilities, homeowners insurance, etc. We did include one gas bill in our BK (renters stuck us with this bill).

The mortgage co. tried to charge us for an homeowners insurance policy (liability only) that they had to obtain. They eventually left us alone with no further contact.

After over a year, Nicor (gas co.) sends us a bill. This bill is for gas provided post filing. I contacted them and said I shut off the gas. They claimed I did not. They said they shut off the gas when they got the BK notice and then turned it back on the next day (without our knowledge). They do not provide confirmation numbers when you request to be disconnected. They said they couldn't find us (we had moved) and that's why it took so long to send a bill. Now they have us at collection and are hounding us on the phone.

Our lawyer says not to worry about it and to give Nicor his number the next time they call. He said the bill will just go with the house when the bank takes it over. What is your experience with this? If we ever get discharged from this nightmare of a BK (15 months now) will this now haunt us for years?

[justbroke]

Our lawyer says not to worry about it and to give Nicor his number the next time they call. He said the bill will just go with the house when the bank takes it over. What is your experience with this? If we ever get discharged from this nightmare of a BK (15 months now) will this now haunt us for years?

If your lawyer says don't worry, don't worry. However, I do question your lawyer's response of it "will just go with the house". This is not a true statement. The gas company will probably continue to pursue you but your lawyer should be able to get them to beg off.

I had a similar problem with the electric company. I moved out on June 30 and filed July 16th. I stopped the electric service, but when the bankruptcy hit them, they started the service again! (My deposit did "offset" what I owed them, so I guess they figured we were good to go.) The house sat empty with the A/C set to 78F. I generated a $260/month bill for the next 4 months and they NEVER SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICITY for non-payment... even though I moved and they couldn't "contact me". When I moved back in, I noticed it still on. (Strange, the water company got the "message" and didn't turn the water back on!) In any event, I ended up having to payt he bill... mostly because I did (and do) reoccupy the home. Didn't feel like fighting, but that was $1,000 I could have spent on something else.

Good luck with your dealings in this matter. Mine were mostly similar, but, alas, I did move back in.

[Kingxray]

I hear ya! It makes no sense. They kept the gas on for over a year without payment. The bill isn't that much cuz we kept the heat so low. They reduced it from $200 to $100. Hubby wants to pay and put this behind us but it's the principal of the thing! I also agree with you that I am not convinced the bill will go with the house when the bank takes over. We'll see.