How to Set Up Your Utilities After Moving

By Hannah Stephens

September 25, 2024

After moving into your new home, the last thing you want is to find yourself without lights or a reliable internet connection. Before you start picking paint colors or choosing new furniture, it's essential to set up your new utility accounts.

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What Are Utilities?

Utilities are the essential goods and services you need to live in a house or apartment. They include:

Electricity
Gas
Water
Telephone
Internet
Oil
Waste disposal
Recycling
Sewerage

Homeowners and renters purchase utilities from utility companies. Some utility providers offer multiple services. For example, large energy companies may provide gas, electricity and heating oil. Others specialize in a single service, such as internet or cable TV.

How Do I Know Who Provides Electricity in My Area?

Essential utility providers often have a monopoly in particular cities or neighborhoods, so you may not have a choice in which supplier you use.

You can often determine which utility provider you need to contact by searching for "[utility name] in [your city]." If that doesn't work or the results are confusing, you have several options:

Contact the customer service departments of utility companies and ask if they service your new address.
Ask your new neighbors which providers they use.
Contact your local Department of Public Utilities.
Search for your address on an online utility lookup tool, such as
In My Area
.

For other services, you'll likely have a choice of multiple providers. Examples of multi-provider utilities include internet, cable TV and telephone services. It's worth using an online comparison tool, such as SmartMove, to find the most affordable package.

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How to Set Up Utilities In Your New House or Apartment

Most utility companies can start services within a few hours of opening a new account. However, it's worth researching and contacting new providers a couple of weeks before your move-in date to avoid delays and ensure a quick, smooth connection.

You'll usually need to provide:
Your new address
Identification documents, such as your passport or driver's license
Contact information
Meter readings for electricity and gas

The information below will help you set up each utility:

Electricity

How to set up electricity services depends on whether you already have an account with the energy company. If you already use the same provider at your current address, tell them your new address and moving date. Many energy companies allow you to do this via their websites through your online account.

If you're a new customer, the previous owners or renters of your new home should contact the energy company to arrange a cutoff date. This date should be the day after they move out of the property.

Many energy companies won't allow you to set up a new account until the previous residents schedule an electricity cutoff. If they haven't done this, contact the company again about 2 weeks before your move. Explain what's happened and tell the company when the current residents intend to move out.

Energy companies sometimes perform credit checks. Your provider may ask you to pay a deposit if you have a poor credit history. If you can't afford the deposit, ask the company if it will accept a positive reference from your previous energy provider. Alternatively, you could ask a trusted friend or relative to cosign your energy account.

Gas

The process for setting up a gas account is the same as opening an electricity account. The same company that supplies your electricity often will also provide your gas. Getting gas and electricity from the same provider can make setting up and paying your bills quicker and more straightforward.

Your energy supplier will ask for an opening meter reading for gas and electricity. You can provide readings when you move into your new home, and your company will receive automatic readings if you have a smart meter reader device. While providing meter readings isn't usually compulsory, it allows your supplier to calculate your bills more accurately.

Water and Sewerage

Often, you'll receive water and sewerage services from the same company. Your water bill covers the water supply to your faucets, fixtures and appliances, while your sewer bill covers any wastewater you flush away. Houses usually receive two separate bills, while suppliers often charge apartment residents for sewerage and water in a single bill.

To set up an account, contact your local supplier and tell them your new address and expected moving date. Like energy providers, water companies may conduct credit checks and charge deposits to new customers.

Trash and Recycling

Your water supplier may also provide your trash and recycling services. If not, inform your local provider of your moving date and new address. The previous owners or tenants will likely leave garbage cans and recycling containers behind, but let your provider know if you need new ones.

Internet

Contact your chosen internet provider several weeks before your moving date. Give them your new address and tell them when you want them to connect your service.

Arranging a connection date in advance is essential because the company will need time to deliver your internet equipment. Moving days can be hectic, so it's worth asking your provider whether a technician can install your equipment to reduce your to-do list and minimize connectivity delays.

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