Setting up utilities and internet

What to know

1. Read the lease to see what's yours. Some rents include water, trash or heat; others put everything in your name. If the lease doesn't say, ask the landlord in writing before you sign. See Your first lease.
2. Ask the landlord or the last tenant which companies serve the building. Electricity, gas, water, sewer and trash may each be a different company, or the city may handle some of them.
3. Call or sign up online about two weeks before move-in (our rule of thumb). Give the exact start date so you aren't paying for days before you have the keys, and so service doesn't lapse between tenants.
4. Expect questions about your credit. Missouri's utility commission, for example, says a company may ask about your job, past utility service and income to decide whether to require a deposit. Source: Missouri PSC¹
5. Know when they can ask for a deposit. In Missouri, a utility may require one for new service if you have an unpaid, unchallenged bill from the last five years, tampered with service, or can't establish an acceptable credit rating. Source: Missouri PSC¹ In Idaho, a regulated utility must tell you why it wants a deposit and let you respond, and your income or job alone can't be the reason. Source: Idaho PUC² Rules differ by state, so ask your state's utility commission.
6. Can't pay the deposit all at once? Ask to pay it in installments. Missouri lets you request that, refunds or credits the deposit with interest after 12 billing periods of on-time payment, and some companies accept a written guarantee from an existing customer with good credit instead. Source: Missouri PSC¹
7. Find out who offers internet at your address. Type your address into the FCC's National Broadband Map to see which providers report service there. Source: FCC⁴
8. Compare plans with the broadband label. Providers must show a label for each home and mobile internet plan, like a nutrition label, wherever they sell it, online or in stores. Source: FCC³ It lists the price, introductory rates, data allowances and speeds. Source: FCC³ Check what the price becomes after the intro period ends.
9. Set up autopay or reminders for every bill, and write down each account number and customer service number in one place.
10. On move-in day, take photos of the electric, gas and water meter readings if you can reach them, and find the water shutoff and breaker panel.

Your setup checklist

• Two weeks out: read the lease, list the companies, start electricity and gas (if any), and order internet.
• One week out: confirm start dates, ask about deposits and installments, set up online accounts.
• Move-in day: check that the lights, stove, hot water and internet work. Photograph the meters.
• First month: check each first bill against the start date and plan price, and turn on autopay.
• Moving out: schedule shutoff or transfer for the day you hand back the keys.

What to ask each company (script)

• "I'm a new tenant at [address, unit]. I'd like service starting [date]."
• "Will you need a deposit? If so, why, how much, can I pay it in installments, and when do I get it back?"
• "Is there a start-up or connection fee?"
• "Do you have budget billing or programs for low-income customers?"

Your state's utility commission

Each state has a commission that regulates privately owned utilities. Missouri's, for example, says to call it when your provider can't answer a billing or service question. Source: Missouri PSC¹ City-owned and co-op utilities may not answer to the state commission, as in Idaho. Source: Idaho PUC² We opened each official site below on October 3, 2026.

Look on the site for a link like Consumers, Consumer Assistance or File a Complaint.

If it doesn't work

• Bills too high to pay? LIHEAP is a federally funded program that can help with heating and cooling bills, energy crises and preventing shutoffs. Call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327 to find where to apply. Source: HHS⁶
• Phone or internet bill too high? Lifeline gives a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on phone, internet or bundled service, or up to $34.25 on Tribal lands, if your household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or you're in a qualifying program. Source: FCC⁵ One benefit per household, and you recertify every year. Source: FCC⁵
• Provider not showing the label, or the label's fees are wrong? You can file a complaint with the FCC. Source: FCC³
• Company won't fix a billing problem? Call your state's utility commission. Missouri's says to call it when your provider can't answer a billing or service question. Source: Missouri PSC¹
• Roommates? Decide whose name each bill goes in, and how you'll split it, before anything is turned on. See Splitting bills with roommates.