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First Apartment Utilities Checklist (2026): What to Set Up & When
For your first apartment, set up electricity, internet, water/sewer/trash, gas (if any), and renters insurance — plus optional home security. Start about two weeks before move-in; electricity and internet need the most lead time. Before you arrange anything, check your lease to see which of these first apartment utilities the landlord already covers.
TL;DR — your first apartment utilities, in order
- First: read the lease and ask which utilities are included in rent.
- 2 weeks out: set up electricity and book your internet install — these have the longest lead times.
- 1 week out: arrange water/sewer/trash and gas if they’re in your name.
- Move-in week: confirm everything is on, add renters insurance, and consider security.
- Comparing first apartment utilities by address is free — do it before you sign a single contract.
What utilities do I need for a first apartment?
A first apartment typically needs five core utilities and two optional add-ons. The exact mix depends on your building — some landlords bundle water, trash, and even gas into the rent, while electricity and internet are almost always yours to arrange. Here’s the full first apartment utilities checklist with who usually sets each one up, a typical monthly range, and how far ahead to start.
| Utility | Who sets it up | Typical monthly cost | When to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | You (shop the plan in deregulated states; regulated states assign the utility) | $60–$100 | ~2 weeks before |
| Internet | You | $30–$70 | 1–2 weeks before (book the install) |
| Water / sewer / trash | Often the landlord; sometimes you | $30–$60 | At lease signing |
| Natural gas (if present) | You | $20–$50 | 1–2 weeks before |
| Renters insurance | You (often lease-required) | $12–$25 | Before move-in |
| Home security (optional) | You | $0–$45 | Move-in week |
| Streaming / TV (optional) | You | $0–$80 | After move-in |
Cost ranges are typical U.S. figures for a one-bedroom apartment; electricity in particular swings with climate, unit size, and local rates. See national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and our breakdown of the average electric bill by state and home size.
Which first apartment utilities are included in rent?
This is the question that saves first-time renters the most money, so ask it before you sign. There’s no universal rule — it varies by landlord and building.
What “utilities included” usually means: Most commonly, a landlord who advertises “utilities included” is covering water, sewer, and trash, and sometimes gas or heat. Electricity and internet are almost always the tenant’s responsibility. Get the specifics in writing.
Ask your landlord three things: which utilities are in the rent, which accounts you open in your own name, and whether any provider is required or pre-wired for the building (common with internet in larger complexes).
How much do first apartment utilities cost?
Budget roughly $150 to $300 a month for first apartment utilities in a typical one-bedroom, though your total depends on climate, unit size, and whether water and trash are included in rent. Electricity is the largest and most variable line among your first apartment utilities, so it’s the one worth comparing before you commit.
- Electricity: $60–$100/mo — the biggest swing, higher in heavy heating or cooling climates.
- Internet: $30–$70/mo — varies by provider and speed at your address.
- Water / sewer / trash: $30–$60/mo — often folded into rent.
- Natural gas: $20–$50/mo — only if the unit has gas heat, hot water, or a stove.
Add renters insurance at about $12–$25 a month, and your all-in first apartment utilities budget usually lands near $200. Comparing electricity and internet at your exact address is the fastest way to keep first apartment utilities on the low end of these ranges. National residential electricity figures come from the U.S. EIA.
When should I set up utilities before moving in?
Set up your first apartment utilities about two weeks before your move-in date. Electricity and internet drive the timeline because they can require a technician visit or a scheduled connection date, and install windows fill up fast during busy moving months.
The setup timeline, step by step
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks before | Confirm the move-in date and lease terms. Set up electricity (shop the plan if deregulated). Compare internet at the new address and book the earliest install slot. |
| 1 week before | Open water/sewer/trash and gas accounts if they’re in your name. Line up renters insurance (often required before you get keys). |
| Move-in day | Verify power is on and internet works. Note meter readings. Save every account number. |
| First week | Add optional home security or streaming. Set up autopay and paperless billing. |
How do I set up electricity in a first apartment?
Electricity is usually the priciest of your first apartment utilities, and how you set it up depends on where the apartment is. In a deregulated state — Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and several others — you choose your own plan and provider, so compare rates first. In a regulated state, the local utility is assigned and you simply open an account. Either way, start the account before move-in so the lights are on when you arrive.
If you can shop, compare on the terms that matter for a first apartment: the rate per kWh, the contract length, and any deposit. Our guide to comparing energy plans and saving money walks through it, and if a deposit is a concern, no-deposit electricity options in Texas show how first-time renters avoid one.
How do I set up internet in a first apartment?
Of all your first apartment utilities, internet is the one renters most often leave too late. Availability is address-specific — the providers and speeds at your new apartment may be completely different from your last place. Check what’s available at the address, then book the install as early as you can.
Compare your options with our best internet providers comparison, see how cable internet stacks up for an apartment, or check what’s available in your area. Confirm which providers serve your building on the FCC National Broadband Map. Students: see our best internet for college students guide.
Common first apartment utility mistakes to avoid
Three first apartment utilities mistakes cost first-time renters the most: waiting until move-in day to think about internet (installs can be days or weeks out), assuming a utility is included when it isn’t, and signing the first electricity plan offered without comparing the rate. Each is avoidable with a few minutes of upfront work.
Set Up Your First Apartment — Electricity & Internet
Compare electricity plans if your new address is in a deregulated state, and see which internet providers actually reach your building — free, with no markup.
Frequently asked questions
What utilities do I need to set up for my first apartment?
Electricity, internet, water/sewer/trash, and gas if the unit has it, plus renters insurance. Water and trash are often included in rent, while electricity and internet are almost always yours to arrange.
How much should I budget for first apartment utilities?
For a one-bedroom, budget roughly $150–$300 a month across electricity, internet, water, and gas combined. Electricity is the biggest and most variable piece.
When should I set up utilities before moving in?
Start about two weeks before move-in. Electricity and internet need the most lead time because they can require a scheduled connection or technician visit.
Which utilities are usually included in rent?
Most often water, sewer, and trash, and sometimes gas or heat. Electricity and internet are typically the tenant’s responsibility. Always confirm in the lease.
Do I need to put utilities in my name for an apartment?
Any utility not covered by your landlord — usually electricity and internet, sometimes gas and water — goes in your name, which means opening an account before move-in.
Can I choose my electricity provider for a first apartment?
Only in deregulated states like Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. There you shop the plan; in regulated states the local utility is assigned.
Is there a deposit for setting up utilities?
Sometimes. Electricity providers may ask for a deposit with no credit history, but many offer no-deposit plans, and internet providers rarely require one.
What’s the first thing I should do about utilities in a new apartment?
Read the lease and ask which utilities are included. That tells you exactly which first apartment utilities you need to set up yourself before comparing.
Keep going
- How to set up electricity, internet, and security when you move
- College move-in checklist: dorm essentials + internet setup
- Best internet for college students: dorm & apartment picks
- Compare the best internet providers for 2026
- Average electric bill by state and home size
- How to compare energy plans and save money
