utilities bills and bankruptcy

If you declare bankruptcy, you can include utilities such as gas, hydro and phone. If you are continuing to use those services, and you don't owe any arrears, then typically they would not be included.

Secured creditors have the right to reposses their security if you go bankrupt, so if you have a loan secured by household goods in most cases you would allow the lender to take them (although in most cases the goods do not have significant value, so they don't take them).

If you have a mortgage and are unable to make the payments, your best option is usually to find a place to rent, and then surrender the house to the bank. This is a complicate area, so I suggest you click on the left hand side of this page for the city nearest you, and talk to a trustee to review your options.