When you’re looking to rent an apartment, one of the most important considerations is going to be your utility costs. Signing a lease also means budgeting and factoring in how much your utilities are going to cost. This is why you always want to ask, are utilities included in rent? This can significantly impact where you decide to rent your next apartment.
Some apartments do include some utilities, while others may only include a few. While that sounds like a win-win, having utilities included in the rent is not always the right option for everyone’s situation. We’re going to break down the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision when you go to rent your next apartment.
Are Utilities Included in Rent All the Time?
While most apartments require the tenant to pay utilities, some offer all utilities included with the rent whereas others may just include one or two. The rent itself may be higher than similar options, but you’ll pay one monthly fee to the landlord and apartment management company. It’s important to find out before signing a lease or rental agreement what is actually included and what you’re responsible for separately.
Common Utilities That May be Included in Rent
Often, short-term rentals and corporate apartments will include all utilities such as:
- Electric
- Water
- Heat
Some apartments also include Wi-Fi in their list of included utilities. Apartments designed for longer stays may just offer heat and water. This is why it’s always important to read the fine print and ask questions so that you know exactly what will be included in the rent you’ll be paying.
When you ask, “Are utilities included in rent?”, you also want to ask if there are any limits on your utility usage. You don’t want to have to deal with utility overage charges when your utilities are included in your rent.
Benefits of Apartments with Utilities Included
Apartments with utilities included are attractive to people for many reasons. Let’s explore the advantages of these rental situations and why you may want to rent an apartment with utilities included.
Convenience
The main reason most people rent an apartment with utilities included is convenience. A utilities-included apartment means you’re only paying a single bill, and you don’t have to worry about calling companies to hook up water, electricity, or Wi-Fi or make phone calls to different companies when there’s an issue. You’re streamlining your living situation, which can reduce your stress and save you time. This is particularly true if you will only be in the apartment for a short period or are moving from a long distance.
Lower Moving Costs
Additionally, the move-in cost to an apartment with utilities included will be significantly less expensive. While you may have the apartment costs, such as a security deposit and the first month’s rent to pay, you won’t have to worry about deposits for the utilities. You also don’t have to worry about any connection fees because the connections will all be there for you.
Accurate Budgeting
While utility rates can change and vary from month to month, a utilities-included apartment, such as snowbird rentals, has a consistent rent. This makes it easier to budget and determine your living costs for each month with minimal surprises. Even if you use a little more electricity one month versus another, you won’t see an increase in your rent because your utility costs are included.
Avoid Multiple Credit Checks
Every time you activate a new utility, you may have to undergo a credit check. When you lease an apartment with utilities included, you don’t have to worry about having a second credit check just to turn your power on. This is appealing to many people because they don’t have to go through the added hassle.
Streamlines Splitting Costs with Roommates
If you’re living with roommates, renting an apartment with utilities included can save you the hassles of dividing up bills. You also avoid the awkward conversation of one roommate using more electricity or water than another and still having to split the bills. With utilities-included rent, you only have to worry about splitting the rent rather than individual utilities.
Downsides of Apartments That Include Utilities
As you consider whether an apartment with utilities included is right for you, you also want to factor in some potential downsides. These may have you opting for an apartment where rent and utility costs are separate.
Higher Rent Costs
Since utility costs will fluctuate from month to month, some landlords will inflate rental prices to cover these costs. It may be a good idea to get estimates of monthly utilities to determine if you’re getting a fair deal on your rent with the utilities included.
Fewer Amenities
Some apartments with utilities included may have fewer amenities because landlords are trying to keep costs down. You may not see washer and dryer connections and the thermostats may be pre-set by the property management company to control costs. Always ask if you will have control of the temperature in your apartment if utilities are included.
Prevents Opportunities to Improve Credit
When your utilities are included in your rent, you don’t have the chance to pay deposits and make payments on time to improve your credit score. As you develop a healthy relationship with utility companies, your improved credit scores can help you access loans in the future. If this is something that you see yourself needing in the future, you’ll want to keep this in consideration.
Paying More for Utilities Than You Would on Your Own
If you choose a complex that houses people who spend a lot of time indoors, while you’re out most of the day, you may end up paying more for utilities than you would on your own. Since the utility costs are factored in across the board, those who stay in most of the day and use more electricity and water, are paying the same as you would even though you’re not using as much of the services.
FAQ about Renting an Apartment with Utilities
What happens if my utilities are shut off?
Having your utilities shut off when you’re not the one paying the bills directly can be nerve-wracking. Contact your landlord to find out if it was just a mistake or if there is a more serious issue going on. You may also want to check the tenant laws in your state to determine the best course of action to get your utilities turned back on.
Is cable a utility that is included in rent?
Typically cable is not included in many rents, but there are some exceptions. At Corporate Accommodations, some of our apartments do include cable and Wi-Fi.
If I’m not using much electricity or water, can I ask my landlord for a lower utility cost?
Utility costs are factored into the rent as a whole and can not be customized. This is one of the things you need to consider when deciding whether to rent an apartment with utilities included.
Reserve Your Apartment in NC Today
If you’re seeking a short-term apartment with utilities included while you stay in North Carolina, reach out to Corporate Accommodations. Our furnished apartments include private washers and dryers, electricity service, water, and even cable and wifi! Most of our temporary furnished apartments include a sofa, bed, dresser with mirror, flat screen TV, dinnerware, glassware, and much more! We also provide towel sets and cooking utensils. You can also ask about the upgrades we offer. At Corporate Accommodations, we offer many amenities to make you feel at home.
View our list of available short-term apartments for rent to find the best one to suit your needs. We proudly offer furnished rentals in Greensboro and beyond that are ready to move in within 24-48 hours. To learn more, reach out to us today at 336-299-1312 or fill out the contact form below to get started.