Are you moving to your first rental home or looking for advice on renting? You want to know all the details about electricity. Although renting doesn’t mean settling for a bad situation, you still want to know your rights.
Here is a list of things you should know about renting a home before you sign any documents. The thing about renting a property to live in is that you typically have to set up the utilities yourself.
So, you’ll need to discuss your tenancy agreement or rules with your landlord beforehand. You may also need to connect a new electricity connection and gas connection for your rental apartment.
Before you set up your utilities, you should know the following:
To prepare for the essential utilities, you need to know your rights as a renter. As a human being, you have every right to live in a safe and secure environment. Security and health are just as important as water and electricity, so here are things you need to do while renting:
- Does the landlord or the tenant pay the utility bills?
- Are you able to access electricity, gas, water, etc.?
- Ensure the condition of locks, windows, doors, and ventilation.
- Make sure the house is sound and weatherproof.
- Is the place electrically safe- that means no circuit issues?
Connecting to essential utilities:
You must connect all utilities to your rental house before you move in. Your landlord is responsible for installing and connecting these utilities. If you pay for any service, your landlord must know about it, and he might adjust your rent. If you’re on one meter, your landlord pays the bills. However, you are liable for the cost of any usage. Make sure you know how to connect these services.
Renting a property? Here’s how you set up your utilities:
- Connecting electricity
- Connecting gas
- Contacting landlord for water facility
- Taking control of your internet connection
-
Connecting electricity:
Setting up a new electricity connection in a rented property can be difficult. But, the first step is to research and find the best deal among reliable retailers. Once you find a trustworthy retailer, plan a connection date and figure out the billing method. Also, keep this in mind for future reference. The target segment is people who want to set up an electricity connection in a rental property.
-
Connecting gas
Connecting gas can be more complicated than you might think. In some cases, it can take as long as three or four days; during that time, the service at your rental property won’t work (and neither will the appliances). So, it’s essential to contact a provider in advance if you ever run into these kinds of problems.
-
Contacting landlord for water facility
If you don’t have a water connection, the first thing you’ll need to do is talk to your landlord. If you’re renting an apartment and it’s not too old, your landlord should be able to set that up for you. If you rent in Australia, you’re independent regarding water providers. It can be more challenging to set up electricity and gas connections can be harder than water arrangements. Your responsibility is to keep track of your usage for water deliveries. Call your water provider to make an account in your name.
-
Taking control of your internet connection
The problem with controlling your internet is that you might be unaware of your usage. So, find the best deal for your home, contact the provider, and arrange to have a router delivered. Talk to your agent/landlord if your rental does not have a telephone line. Also, determine who will cover the installation costs. Connection fees may apply as well. The renter must pay this.
Conclusion
One of the most overlooked details in the rental process is getting utilities set up. It can be tricky to connect to electricity, gas, and water, but don’t worry — first, talk with your landlord about what utilities are included in your rental. Then compare providers and find the best deal for you. Likewise, it’s essential to take control of your internet connection and find out which providers offer the best rates.
