Apartment hunting..i have a question about bills?

Question

Okay so from my understanding, when it says 'this unit features.. air conditioning, refridgerator,' etc., that just means you dont have to buy those things, you just have to pay to use them....correct??

And so if you use a lot of air conditioning or something, does this just mean the rent will be higher that month? Like are all the bills included in one "monthly rent" bill and it just varies on how much you use your electrical or water etc ?

Is that how it works??

Answer 1

You're correct: You don't have to buy those items.

However, whether you have to pay for them depends on whether utilities are included. In some cases, they are. In some cases, they're not.

Water usually (but not always) is included. And that'll be a relatively small bill. Other utilities include electricity and gas (if there's gas service). And don't forget telephone service and (if available) cable TV/Internet service.

Be sure to find out which utilities are included, and which ones aren't. As you can tell, that can make a several hundred dollar a month difference.

Answer 2

From what you've said there is nothing about utility bills mentioned. If not then they are not covered by the rent. Electric, gas and telephone are almost always your responsibility unless you're renting a room in someone's home. Water/sewage and garbage  are more commonly included in the rent in apartments but not so much in a single family dwelling. The landlord should supply you with a list of phone numbers and names of utility companies for gas, electric, water and sewage, garbage, phone and cable. If you're frugal $150 a month can cover the utilities for an apt or small home..

However, you should ask the prospective landlord about the average costs of gas and electric. If you live in a climate where you use a lot of AC in the summer and the furnace in the winter and if the AC and furnace are older your bills can run much more, more than your rent during the most extreme months. I learned that the hard way, with a $1300 gas bill in January 4  years ago.

Answer 3

Utility bills are usually seperate.  You have to get seperate accounts with the power, gas, phone, and cable companies.  These will be seperate from your rent.  Water and trash removal is usually included in the rent but not always.

Read the rental agreement closely and make sure you know what you are responsible for.

Answer 4

features makes it sound like those applainces are included

However if it were to say Utillities included your water sewer electric and garbage would be included in your rent

for example your rent is 750/month including utillities

it will be 750 no matter hw little or how much you use

Answer 5

I would help if you copied & pasted the actual ad.

But yes either it will be included in the monthly cost of the rent- in which case you should ask to see every monthly utility bill to make sure that you are paying the correct amount & no one is ripping you off.

Or it means that these things are in the apartment but you will be paying your own monthly utility bills.

Answer 6

What you’re seeing is included equipment. You’ll still have to pay for the utilities like electricity to run those items.

There is such a thing as apartments that include utilities in you rent, but normally you’ll pay a rent bill and get your own utility bills.