First apartment or tenth, setting up utilities always raises the same questions: what’s included, what do I need to open myself, and in what order? Here’s the process broken into simple steps.
Step 1: Check your lease for what’s already included
Many apartments bundle water, sewer, and trash into rent or a flat monthly fee. Some include heat if the building uses a shared boiler system. Read the lease or ask your landlord directly before assuming you need to set anything up — no point opening an account you don’t need.
Step 2: Get the property’s utility account numbers
Ask your landlord or leasing office for the meter numbers or account references for electric and gas at your specific unit. In multi-unit buildings, this prevents you from accidentally being billed for a neighbor’s usage.
Step 3: Set up electricity first
Electricity is almost always the tenant’s responsibility and usually the first thing to activate. If you’re in a deregulated state, compare a few providers on rate and contract length before signing up. In regulated states, there’s typically just one company serving your area — call or set up service online.
Step 4: Set up gas, if applicable
If your unit has a gas stove, gas heat, or a gas water heater, you’ll need a separate gas account. Gas often requires an in-person technician appointment to turn the line on safely, so schedule this earlier than you’d think — ideally a week or more ahead.
Step 5: Confirm water, sewer, and trash
In many cities these are billed by the property or municipality rather than a private company, and may already be covered by rent. If not, your landlord can tell you exactly who to contact.
Step 6: Add internet and any optional services
Check which internet providers actually serve the building — apartment buildings sometimes have exclusive agreements with one or two providers. Renter’s insurance is also worth setting up now; many landlords require proof before handing over keys.
Step 7: Budget for deposits
New customers without an established payment history sometimes have to pay a security deposit to start electric or gas service, refundable after a period of on-time payments. Ask upfront so it doesn’t catch you by surprise on move-in day.
A good rule of thumb: start this process 2-3 weeks before move-in, prioritize electricity and gas first since they can take longest to activate, and confirm everything is live the day before you move in — not the day of.