This scam has been getting popular the past year or so. Watch until you see the owner/renter walk out the front door and slip in through the back. Have a locksmith on speed dial and you’re set. Free housing for at least 6 months until the owner gets a court ruling. Free eats until the food runs out. Free utilities for 2-3 months until it gets turned off and the owner’s credit is ruined. Free pocket change for selling off everything stick of furniture, grandma’s silver set and the kids’ ipads. And just think of all private info that can be used against the owner found in the desk and the mail.
You could hire a ‘house sitter’, but what if they refuse to leave?...................
In my state, the utilities are paid by the renter, unless otherwise agreed to. The only entity that can place a lien on the property, itself, is the city for water/sewer. All other utility bills follow the customer. So, if I'm locked out of the house I'm renting, I call all utilities and tell them they're no longer in my name and to shut them off. Bet they get out quick after that. Note, I said if I'm the renter, not the homeowner.
Think of how easy it would be for the perps of this scam to end up dead.