Home Activations
Shop, compare and sign up for all of your residential services in one place. Choose your electric and gas utilities, cable TV and streaming platforms, high-speed internet service, home security, moving companies, real estate agents and more.
Services We Provide:
HOW TO SET UP YOUR UTILITIES
First, ask your landlord or property manager about recommended companies before you even begin the process. In exchange for exclusive servicing rights, these providers frequently offer special plans and lower rates because they have a long-standing relationship with the apartment complex.
Also, visit apartments.com, apartmentlist.com, apartmentguide.com, rent.com, zillow.com, trulia.com, rentcafe.com, apartmentfinder.com, har.com, redfin.com, booking.com, realtor.com, hotpads.com, homes.com, and apartmenthomeliving.com.
1. Research local service providers
If you can choose your own providers, start researching companies that serve your area. Online research can help you find the best rates, plans, and coverage. While one provider may offer a better deal, another provider may have more coverage in your specific area. For instance, one internet and cable company may offer you a great discount, but another internet and cable company has better reach in that area.
2. Determine move-in date
Once you’ve found a service provider for each utility not already provided by the property manager or landlord, you’ll need to determine your move-in date so your utilities are activated by the time your lease starts. If any utilities are included in your rent, such as water, then that utility will already be set up and ready to go on move-in day.
3. Schedule an appointment if needed
After you’ve determined your dates, you’ll need to speak with the utility companies’ customer service department to turn on your services — you can do this over the phone or online. The rep may ask you to schedule an appointment if the technician has to come out and physically turn it on — and they’ll need your apartment address in the process. For example, a brand new or recently vacant apartment may have had the gas turned off by the landlord to save money. When you move in, you’ll need to schedule a technician to come out and turn the valve on.
Also, visit apartmenthomeliving.com, homes.com, hotpads.com, realtor.com, booking.com, redfin.com, har.com, apartmentfinder.com, rentcafe.com, trulia.com, zillow.com, rent.com, apartmentguide.com, apartmentlist.com, and apartments.com.
HOW TO SET UP...
Water/Sewer
An account for water and sewage will need to be set up if it’s not already included in your rent. You can do this online at the city or county government’s website. They’ll let you know when your service and meter tracking begins, and when you can expect your first bill. Schedule this service at least two weeks before moving in.
Electricity
Getting set up with electricity should only take a few minutes. You’ll sign up for an energy plan online or over the phone, and your service could be ready in as little as one day, if necessary. Be sure to schedule it at least one week in advance, but again, most energy supply companies can have you up and running in less than 24 hours.
Natural Gas
If your appliances (stove, furnace, and water heater) run on natural gas, you're going to need a natural gas service provider to supply it to your apartment. A gas plan can be purchased online, but a technician may need to come to your home if it’s not already on. Schedule this service at least two weeks in advance in case a home appointment is needed.
Trash
Like most residential neighborhoods, your apartment community likely has a preferred supplier for trash pickup. Whether the service fee is included in rent or as a separate item, your property manager should handle the service set up. If you do have to set it up with the city or county, schedule trash service one week before you move in.
Internet, Cable, and Phone
Many renters bundle these items to take advantage of the extra savings. High speed internet and cable installation may take a bit more time to set up than a landline, since a technician may be called out to your home to run cable lines and set up the W-Fi router and cable box. Be sure you schedule it two weeks in advance. Most companies will charge an installation fee for the set up, but some companies allow you to set it up on your own and avoid the fee.
Security System
A security system will give you peace of mind in your home, and it can even lower the cost of your renter's insurance! If your home has a security system in place, you may just need to pay for the service if you choose to use it. If you don’t have one but would like to, you’ll have to buy the product and service. Schedule your security system installation one week prior to your move-in date.
Also, visit trulia.com, zillow.com, rent.com, apartmentguide.com, apartmentlist.com, apartments.com, apartmenthomeliving.com, homes.com, hotpads.com, realtor.com, booking.com, redfin.com, har.com, apartmentfinder.com, and rentcafe.com.
WHEN TO TRANSFER UTILITIES OR SWITCH SERVICE PROVIDERS
If you're moving locally and already have accounts in your name, you may not need to create a new account. Instead, you can simply transfer them. Transferring accounts can be done online or by phone and typically takes just a few minutes. Switching utility providers may be a better option for those whose contracts are (or almost) expired, which allows the renter to look at other providers for the best rate plans. If you go this route, you'll have to set up a new service and will be given a new account number. But hey — you're switching to save money, right?
WHEN YOUR FIRST BILL ARRIVES
Utility bills are often sent monthly with a due date on the invoice. It’s important to pay these on or before the date to avoid getting your services stopped due to non-payment. You can also change from a paper bill to paperless if you prefer this route.
You see, getting your utilities set up, transferred, and switched can be an easy process as long as you have a game plan and the right tips and tricks. Just make sure that you’ve turned off utility services at your old rental and that they’re turned on at your new apartment. And don’t forget to give the companies your unit number when you provide them with your home address!
First, ask your landlord or property manager about recommended companies before you even begin the process. In exchange for exclusive servicing rights, these providers frequently offer special plans and lower rates because they have a long-standing relationship with the apartment complex.
Also, visit apartments.com, apartmentlist.com, apartmentguide.com, rent.com, zillow.com, trulia.com, rentcafe.com, apartmentfinder.com, har.com, redfin.com, booking.com, realtor.com, hotpads.com, homes.com, and apartmenthomeliving.com.
1. Research local service providers
If you can choose your own providers, start researching companies that serve your area. Online research can help you find the best rates, plans, and coverage. While one provider may offer a better deal, another provider may have more coverage in your specific area. For instance, one internet and cable company may offer you a great discount, but another internet and cable company has better reach in that area.
2. Determine move-in date
Once you’ve found a service provider for each utility not already provided by the property manager or landlord, you’ll need to determine your move-in date so your utilities are activated by the time your lease starts. If any utilities are included in your rent, such as water, then that utility will already be set up and ready to go on move-in day.
3. Schedule an appointment if needed
After you’ve determined your dates, you’ll need to speak with the utility companies’ customer service department to turn on your services — you can do this over the phone or online. The rep may ask you to schedule an appointment if the technician has to come out and physically turn it on — and they’ll need your apartment address in the process. For example, a brand new or recently vacant apartment may have had the gas turned off by the landlord to save money. When you move in, you’ll need to schedule a technician to come out and turn the valve on.
Also, visit apartmenthomeliving.com, homes.com, hotpads.com, realtor.com, booking.com, redfin.com, har.com, apartmentfinder.com, rentcafe.com, trulia.com, zillow.com, rent.com, apartmentguide.com, apartmentlist.com, and apartments.com.
HOW TO SET UP...
Water/Sewer
An account for water and sewage will need to be set up if it’s not already included in your rent. You can do this online at the city or county government’s website. They’ll let you know when your service and meter tracking begins, and when you can expect your first bill. Schedule this service at least two weeks before moving in.
Electricity
Getting set up with electricity should only take a few minutes. You’ll sign up for an energy plan online or over the phone, and your service could be ready in as little as one day, if necessary. Be sure to schedule it at least one week in advance, but again, most energy supply companies can have you up and running in less than 24 hours.
Natural Gas
If your appliances (stove, furnace, and water heater) run on natural gas, you're going to need a natural gas service provider to supply it to your apartment. A gas plan can be purchased online, but a technician may need to come to your home if it’s not already on. Schedule this service at least two weeks in advance in case a home appointment is needed.
Trash
Like most residential neighborhoods, your apartment community likely has a preferred supplier for trash pickup. Whether the service fee is included in rent or as a separate item, your property manager should handle the service set up. If you do have to set it up with the city or county, schedule trash service one week before you move in.
Internet, Cable, and Phone
Many renters bundle these items to take advantage of the extra savings. High speed internet and cable installation may take a bit more time to set up than a landline, since a technician may be called out to your home to run cable lines and set up the W-Fi router and cable box. Be sure you schedule it two weeks in advance. Most companies will charge an installation fee for the set up, but some companies allow you to set it up on your own and avoid the fee.
Security System
A security system will give you peace of mind in your home, and it can even lower the cost of your renter's insurance! If your home has a security system in place, you may just need to pay for the service if you choose to use it. If you don’t have one but would like to, you’ll have to buy the product and service. Schedule your security system installation one week prior to your move-in date.
Also, visit trulia.com, zillow.com, rent.com, apartmentguide.com, apartmentlist.com, apartments.com, apartmenthomeliving.com, homes.com, hotpads.com, realtor.com, booking.com, redfin.com, har.com, apartmentfinder.com, and rentcafe.com.
WHEN TO TRANSFER UTILITIES OR SWITCH SERVICE PROVIDERS
If you're moving locally and already have accounts in your name, you may not need to create a new account. Instead, you can simply transfer them. Transferring accounts can be done online or by phone and typically takes just a few minutes. Switching utility providers may be a better option for those whose contracts are (or almost) expired, which allows the renter to look at other providers for the best rate plans. If you go this route, you'll have to set up a new service and will be given a new account number. But hey — you're switching to save money, right?
WHEN YOUR FIRST BILL ARRIVES
Utility bills are often sent monthly with a due date on the invoice. It’s important to pay these on or before the date to avoid getting your services stopped due to non-payment. You can also change from a paper bill to paperless if you prefer this route.
You see, getting your utilities set up, transferred, and switched can be an easy process as long as you have a game plan and the right tips and tricks. Just make sure that you’ve turned off utility services at your old rental and that they’re turned on at your new apartment. And don’t forget to give the companies your unit number when you provide them with your home address!
