Setting Up Your Utilities
Unpacking boxes and arranging furniture sometimes isn’t the first priority for many apartment dwellers. Setting up the Internet, cable and utilities is often what’s on the mind of those fresh off the moving truck. And that’s as it should be—after all, what’s the point in having a big fluffy couch if you don’t have 150 channels to peruse and a high-speed Internet connection flowing into your laptop? The Apartments.com staff wants to make sure you have the “hook-up” on how to get “hooked” up as smoothly as possible. We’ll fill you in on everything from your basic electric to your gaming-ready Internet connection.
Electric/Water/Gas
These are the most essential set-ups, so do these way before your move. Before you do, however, speak with your new landlord or review your lease as some utilities may be covered in your rent payment. To find utility companies, use the local yellow page directory or ask your landlord for a list of local companies. You will be limited to the providers in your immediate area and be prepared because you may have to pay connection fees or make a deposit if you are a first time customer.
Heat
Ah, the trials and tribulations of staying warm. Heat costs are projected to rise 21% for the 2006 winter season, so getting your landlord to foot the heating bill is a major renter’s victory. If you are stuck paying for heat you may also be stuck using a certain company, especially if you are renting from a managed company. You may also get a document that states the projected average monthly heating costs for your review and signature at the time you sign your lease. You can use this as a budgeting tool but always overestimate as you don’t want to find yourself roaming around in your winter coat inside your apartment because you’re short on cash come January.
Phone
Today, many cell phones are replacing their land-line friends as the only phone connection an apartment dweller owns. If you aren’t home much or use the phone infrequently when you are home, you may not benefit from a land-line. However, don’t waste your money gabbing on the cell phone at all hours when you could be doing that talking for a very low unlimited monthly rate through a land-line connection. If you plan on becoming a “bundler,” a person who owns a package phone/cable/Internet connection, it may be worth having a land-line since you may not end up paying extra for it when all is said and done.
The newest in electronic chat is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). This connection uses your Internet connection to make phone calls. To ensure high voice quality you should have a DSL or cable Internet connection. You will get a phone adapter that connects your phone to the computer and then to your Internet connection. This means you can check your voicemail through the Internet and control all your phone settings from your computer. Check online for VoIP service availability in your area.
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