In what scenario can a seller charge a buyer a fee for maintaining utilities during a walk-through?

The situation regarding a seller charging a buyer a fee for maintaining utilities during a walk-through is generally governed by the terms of the sales agreement and standard real estate practices. In most cases, sellers do not have the right to charge buyers a fee for utility maintenance during the walk-through process. This is considered an unreasonable practice since utility costs are typically regarded as part of the seller's responsibility until the sale is completed and ownership is transferred.

When homes are shown or inspected prior to closing, it is customary for the seller to ensure the utilities are operational to facilitate any necessary inspections conducted by the buyer. Charging a fee could deter potential buyers or be seen as an unusual and unfair requirement, thus it is typically avoided in standard real estate transactions.

The other options hint at scenarios that can sometimes apply in contractual agreements, but they all fall short in justifying the act of charging a fee for utilities during this period. For example, while maintaining utilities for inspections is standard, it does not equate to charging fees. In summary, charging a buyer for utility maintenance during a walk-through is not customary and is usually prohibited.