Setting Up Utilities in a NYC Apartment: A Checklist

What Rent Usually Includes

New York City law requires building owners to provide heat and hot water to their tenants: heat from October 1 through May 31 when the temperature drops, and hot water all year at 120 degrees or more. In most apartment buildings that comes from a central boiler and is part of the rent.

There are exceptions. Some newer or renovated apartments have their own electric heating and cooling units or their own water heater on the tenant’s meter, and the lease makes the tenant pay to run them. The owner still has to supply working equipment that can reach the legal temperatures.

• Usually included: heat, hot water, cold water, trash collection.
• Sometimes included: cooking gas.
• Rarely included: electricity, internet.

• Your Rights on Heat and Repairs

Electricity

Electricity is delivered by one regulated utility per address, so you do not shop around for the wires. Con Edison delivers electricity to most of New York City. A few areas, such as the Rockaways in Queens, are served by a different electric utility, so confirm with your landlord.

1. Start service online or by phone a week or so before move-in. You need the exact address and apartment number, your move-in date and ID.
2. If you have no US credit history, the utility may ask for a deposit. Ask what it accepts in place of a Social Security number.
3. On move-in day, photograph the meter if you can reach it, so your first bill starts from the right reading.
4. Set up online billing and choose whether to pay automatically.

Gas

If your stove is gas, there may be a separate gas account. Which utility depends on the borough: Con Edison supplies gas in Manhattan, the Bronx and parts of Queens, and National Grid supplies gas in Brooklyn, Staten Island and other parts of Queens.

In many buildings cooking gas is on the building’s meter and you never see a bill. If it is yours, open the account the same way as electricity. If the stove is electric, there is nothing to set up.

If you smell gas, leave the apartment and call the gas utility’s emergency line or 911 from outside. Do not switch lights on or off.

Internet

Internet is the one utility where you may have a choice, though some buildings are wired for only one provider. Ask the landlord or super which companies serve the building before you sign up.

1. Check availability at your exact address on each provider’s site.
2. Compare the price after any introductory period ends, the equipment rental fee and the contract length.
3. Book installation early. Slots at the start of the month fill up.
4. Ask whether you can use your own router to avoid the rental fee.

Splitting Bills with Roommates

Each account is in one person’s name, and that person is responsible for the bill. Spread the accounts between roommates if you can, split each bill evenly unless you agreed otherwise, and settle up monthly. An electric bill of $120 between three people is $120 / 3 = $40 each.

• Splitting Rent with Roommates

If You Are in a Sublet

For a stay of a few months, accounts normally stay in the tenant’s name and you repay them, or utilities are included in what you pay. Get it in writing: which bills, how the amount is worked out, and when you pay. Ask to see a recent bill so the number is not a surprise in August, when air conditioning runs.

• What to Put in a Sublease Agreement

When You Move Out

1. Tell each utility your last day and give a forwarding address for the final bill.
2. Photograph the meter again.
3. Return internet equipment and keep the receipt.
4. Never leave an account open in your name for the next person.