Worried that switching utilities could derail your Blacklick closing at the last minute? You’re not alone. With a clear plan, you can avoid surprise bills, protect your buyer’s walk-through, and hand off service smoothly. This guide gives you a step-by-step utility checklist tailored to Blacklick closings, including local contacts, timing, and what to expect at the closing table. Let’s dive in.
Blacklick utility basics
Most Blacklick homes are served by Jefferson Township Water & Sewer District, but some properties use Columbus systems or private well and septic. Check your latest bill to confirm your provider and account number. Electric delivery in the area is typically through AEP Ohio, and natural gas is commonly served by Columbia Gas of Ohio. Trash and recycling are often private contracts, and internet options vary by street, so always verify from your most recent statements.
- Water and sewer: confirm service through your bill or the Jefferson Water & Sewer website. Jefferson Water & Sewer District
- Electric: AEP Ohio manages delivery and outages for most addresses. AEP Ohio overview
- Natural gas: check your last bill and use the start/stop/move line. Columbia Gas contact
Franklin County will assess conveyance and recording fees that appear on your settlement statement. Review totals with your title company so your prorations and any utility payoffs are accurate. Franklin County transfer procedures and fees
Pre-listing steps (2–8 weeks out)
- Gather your latest bills. Collect electric, gas, water/sewer, trash, and internet. Note account numbers, service addresses, and any meter locations.
- Confirm your providers. Identify whether your home is on Jefferson Water & Sewer, well and septic, and which companies serve your electric, gas, and trash.
- Complete Ohio’s disclosure. Fill out the Residential Property Disclosure Form, including water source, sewer type, and known utility issues. Deliver it as required by Ohio law. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5302
- Clarify buyer expectations. Ask if the buyer wants utilities on through final walk-through or possession. Put the plan and dates in writing.
Schedule final reads (2–7 days out)
- Set final meter reads. Contact each utility to schedule a final read or final bill date. Ask if transfer should occur on closing day or the day after. Save confirmation numbers.
- Water and sewer. Call Jefferson Water & Sewer for final read and any transfer paperwork the buyer may need. Provide meter access if required.
- Electric and gas. Confirm who will start the buyer’s new account. If you use autopay, cancel it and remove saved payment methods once the final bill is issued. How utilities handle billing and autopay
- Trash and recycling. If you have a private hauler, confirm the last pickup date and whether the contract can transfer or needs to be canceled.
Closing day checklist
- Photograph meter readings. Take clear photos of the electric, gas, and water meters the morning of closing. Share readings with your closing agent and the buyer to prevent billing disputes.
- Leave helpful docs. Provide recent utility bills, account numbers, appliance manuals, warranties, and any scheduled service information. This smooths the buyer’s move-in.
- Hand off access. Deliver keys, garage remotes, security codes, and note where shutoff valves, panels, and meters are located.
- Confirm responsibilities in writing. Note who pays through the day of closing and the exact transfer or shutoff dates for each utility.
Post-closing steps
- Verify final bills. Confirm each account is closed or transferred and pay any remaining balances. Keep copies for your records. Franklin County transfer process
- Update your address. File a USPS change of address and update banks and subscriptions so final notices do not go to your old home.
- Wrap up contracts. If the buyer assumes an HOA-included utility or a private service contract, complete the transfer paperwork and save confirmation.
Avoid common pitfalls
- Not delivering the Ohio Residential Property Disclosure on time. This can create buyer rescission rights.
- Skipping a final meter read, which makes post-closing billing disputes more likely.
- Forgetting to cancel autopay after your final bill is issued.
- Assuming trash and recycling transfer automatically when they are often separate private contracts.
For timing and coordination, many sellers keep essential utilities on through final walk-through or possession to protect the transaction. If you choose this path, confirm dates with the buyer and utilities, and put it in writing. Moving and utility timing guidance
Local resources
- Jefferson Township Water & Sewer District: final reads, billing, and service questions. Visit JWSD
- Columbia Gas of Ohio: start, stop, or move gas service. Contact Columbia Gas
- AEP Ohio: service, delivery, and outage information. AEP Ohio overview
- Franklin County Auditor: transfer steps, DTE forms, and fee schedules. Property transfer and fees
- Trash and recycling haulers serving Franklin County. Local hauler directory
If you would like a step-by-step plan tailored to your address, reliable vendors, and a smooth handoff to your buyer, connect with Connie Sadowski for local, full-service guidance from pre-list through closing.
FAQs
When should a Blacklick seller stop utilities?
- Coordinate with your buyer so essential utilities stay on through the final walk-through or possession, then schedule final reads for the agreed date and keep written confirmations.
Who pays the final water and sewer bill at closing in Blacklick?
- You typically pay through the day of closing unless negotiated otherwise, and any unpaid municipal utility balances may need to be paid off or escrowed to deliver clear title.
How do I prevent double billing after my Blacklick sale?
- Align transfer dates with closing or possession, take same-day meter photos, cancel autopay after your final bill, and verify account closure with each utility.
What if my buyer asks to keep utilities on after closing?
- Put the request in writing, define dates and who pays, notify each utility, and share meter access so billing transfers correctly.
What county fees should I expect on my settlement in Franklin County?
- Expect a conveyance fee and recording costs listed by the Franklin County Auditor, along with prorated taxes and standard title and closing fees, which your closing agent will itemize.
