If you don't pay the electric bill and move out, the unpaid electric bill will eventually be sent to collections and also reported to major credit bureaus, which also damages your credit score severely.
The debt collectors will then try calling you relentlessly and even send you debt collection mail to try and collect the past due amount.
If the electric bill that is unpaid is a large enough amount, the debt collector may even try to sue you in garnish your wages, levy your bank account and even place a lien on any property you may own.
And if you move to a new address that has the same electric utility, you won't be able to get electric service turned on at the new address in your name.
Utility companies, including electric utilities also sometimes share databases and if you try to establish service in a new location, the new electric provider might require you to clear off your old debt or pay a significant security deposit before they turn the electricity on in in your name.
If you're struggling to pay a final electric bill or you forgot to close your account it's always best for you o contact the electric company and work out a payment plan or check into hardship programs, deferred payment plans or temporary extensions, which can help you resolve the debt to the electric company before they send it to collections.
Once the electric bill goes to collections, it will lead to a lower credit score and will remain on your credit report for up to 7 years.
And you will be contacted repeatedly and relentlessly by debt collectors or may even add late fees and interest to your original balance that you owed the electric company.
You can also check into help from churches or even the Salvation army to help pay even part of the past due electric account you owe.
It's better to try to work something out and pay some of the electric bill, and not just ignore it as the past due electric bill won't simply go away if you ignore it and simply move out.