How do Utility companies "cut off" houses for unpaid bills, etc?
Utilities are easily shut off by the utility companies, and with the exception of natural gas and electricity, which both have a meter on the side of your house, they rarely even have to enter your property as many utilities are located in the right of way or on an easement owned by the utility company. If you look closely at your water and gas meter, you will see that they both have a valve that has a hole in the handle. When shut off, that hole aligns with a corresponding hole in the valve body, which conveniently accepts a utility company lock. Cutting off the electricity is as simple as pulling the meter and installing a couple of boots on the contacts, reinstall the meter and voila, you have no electricity. Most utility agreements that you sign when applying for service have provisions in them that allow for the service to be disconnected after a certain set of events occur. No warrant or court permission is needed.