Is hot water a utility?

Question

So i'm moviing out next month, i'm all excited about it but i'm calculating how much it's going to cost me in utilities. Most of them are included in the lease. I saw gas, heat, water, trash sewer, and pest control. However it doesn't say hot water on there anywhere. I checked on another apartment complex owned by the same people, and all of the above was included plus hot water. This may seem like a silly question but do you have to pay for hot water? i thought that would've been included with water, and heat but i'm not sure. If it is a utility how much should i estimate having to pay? it's in akron ohio. thanx

Answer 1

Hot water is not included in the water bill. Heating water depends on what type of hot water tank you have. If it's gas the it takes gas to heat the water. If it's electric it takes electric. Your hot water will be included if it's heated with gas.

Answer 2

There is no way for your landlord to just include running cold water and not hot water.  

Landlords are required to make sure the home is capable of receiving HOT WATER.

Answer 3

water is included, gas is included...that's most of your hot water costs unless it's an electric hot water heater.  Even some gas hot water heaters may use electric, but hardly any if the heating is being done by gas.

Answer 4

hot water and water are the same thing.

Answer 5

Hot water is usually the "result" of a utility, like at my apt., it takes gas to heat it.........

Answer 6

I think it would depend on whether or not the hot water heater is gas or electric. If your lease does not say anything about inclusion of electric utilities then yes, I would think you would have to pay for the electricity to run the hot water heater for your hot water. But, if the hot water heater is a gas one, I don't think you will have to pay extra. You need to find out from the landlord if the hot water heater is gas or electric. (And no, it is not a silly question.) You are being very mature for planning and estimating your budget. Just ask the landlord, they'll tell you. And good luck to you!

Answer 7

Water is a utility. Whether it is "hot" or not is determined by a hot water heater. Hot water heaters (which are purchased and installed by your landlord) are either gas (also propane by that is rare unless you live in Alaska)  or electric. Depending on that answer is how it could effect either a gas or electric bill (which you state you do not have to pay as it is included in your rent).