Amusingly enough failing to pay utilities results in some of the most lenient reactions possible; partially because many localities make it illegal to remove electricity/gas service during "extreme weather months" (because old people freezing to death because they didn't pay a bill is really bad publicity for the utility and the government) and partially because they know they'll get theirs eventually.

They will cut you off when the time comes, but it can sometimes be surprisingly long. And they will put a lien against the property, too.