Dayton, OH asked in Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for Ohio

Q: Am I legally required to pay back previous owner for paying the gas bill after I bought the house?

I purchased the home in 6/2022. I wasn’t aware that the gas and electric were separate companies until 9/2022 when the previous owner reached out and wanted reimbursed for paying the gas bill from 6/2022-9/2022. She paid it for three months before saying anything. Do I legally have to pay her back?

1 Lawyer Answer
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
Answered
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Licensed in Ohio

A: The home sale contract that buyer and seller sign, typically specifies that seller must pay for utilities through the date of the closing of the sale, and afterward the buyer is responsible. You would have to pay only if she sues you, the court finds you liable, and enters a judgment against you for the amount of the gas bill, which could then be recorded as a lien against your home.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.