Apartment utilities are an essential part of renting a new place, but how do you set them up and how much are utilities in an apartment each month? Your new property manager should be able to give you all the phone numbers you need to get things set up, but you can also look up the companies by visiting your local government website’s utility page.
We’ll walk you through the basics of what you need to know when it comes to setting up and paying for apartment utilities.
Set up your apartment utilities early
You don’t want to be calling the utility companies the day you move. This may cause a delay in service. The utility company may need to send someone to your apartment to do on-site work. This could take a few days.
If they must come to your home, someone will need to be there to let them in. You don’t want to be arranging these things while you’re focused on moving. Getting it done early will save your sanity when moving day arrives and ensure you have power, water and gas access on day one of living in your new apartment.
Know which utilities to set up yourself
Some apartment communities cover portions of the utilities in the complex, like trash, heat or water. Other communities don’t pay for any of the necessary apartment utilities. Find out what’s covered by you and what’s covered by your landlord. Look at your lease, and if need be, call your manager for clarification.
Once you’ve determined which apartment utilities you need to set up, you can get that process going. Here is a checklist of all the utilities you’ll need in an apartment:
- Electricity
- Water
- Natural gas
- Trash and recycling
- Sewage
- Internet
- Cable TV (optional)
- Security system (optional)
- HOA fees (if applicable)
Call your current providers to switch service
Once you know the day you’re moving, you need to call your current utility providers. Let them know the day you’re moving out, so they can shut off your existing services. The last thing you want is to be paying for utilities you aren’t using. Be sure to provide them with a forwarding address so they can send you a final bill.
Understand the set-up process
When you’re setting up apartment utilities in your name, there are some things you need to have ready before you call. If you’re transferring services with the same utility company, they may just need your new address and move-in date.
But, if you’re opening an entirely new account, they may require your name, phone number, email, new address, Social Security number or tax ID and birthday. Make sure you have all of the important information on hand to make the set-up process as easy as possible.
You may be asking yourself why the utility companies need such personal information to get started. The utility company needs your Social Security or tax ID number and birthday to run a credit check. These companies must do a certain amount of risk management on their customers.
If you don’t have stellar credit, it doesn’t mean the utility company will refuse to turn on your service. But, you might be charged a higher deposit to offset the risk. If you have an outstanding balance with your former company, they may require you to pay that off before turning on service. Each company is different, so be sure to ask.
Budget for the average cost of utilities
Utilities are part of everyone’s budget and are a necessary expense when renting an apartment. Sometimes, the cost of utilities will fluctuate depending on how much you use the resource.
Other apartment utilities will be at a fixed rate each month. Knowing the average cost of utilities in general and by state can help you budget and know what you can expect to pay each month.
Source: Move.org
Remember the install fees in your budget
Many utility companies require a one-time set-up fee to turn on service. Some will require a refundable deposit, too. Depending on the company, you may see this fee on your initial bill or you may have to pay it upfront before services are turned on.
Know when your first bill will arrive
When your first bill comes to your apartment, it will have everything you need to set up online bill pay. You’ll need your account number, the name of the utility provider and their billing address. If you pay online, you can save yourself the stamp expense and trip to the post office.
Set yourself up for success
Setting up utilities can be a quick and easy process if you know what to expect. Be sure to take care of everything before moving day. The last thing you want is to have to be on the horn with a utility company instead of moving your belongings to your new home. Get the set up done early so you can focus on making your new apartment feel like home.
