During your search for an apartment, you may have come across the phrase “utilities included” and wondered what that meant and whether it was a good deal for you as a renter. Utilities included, also sometimes referred to as “all bills paid,” means that the owner or leasing company pays the utilities on your behalf. It could include all of the utilities that you use, such as electric, water, Internet, and trash, or it could only include select ones. We’ve broken down the pros and cons of included utilities to help you understand them and determine if it’s the best option for you.
If you’re looking for utilities included apartments, Contemporary Management Concepts, LLLP offers many Gainesville student apartments that provide a range of utilities. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a tour.
No surprise price hikes. Depending on the time of the year and the utility, prices can vary greatly. For example, you’re more likely to pay high costs for electricity in the summer because hotter temperatures mean that your AC will be running more often. Other utility providers, such as Internet companies, are prone to charge competitive “introduction rates” and then send the price sky-high after a certain time period. With included utilities, you won’t have to worry about these types of price fluctuations.
No utility fees. With most utility companies, you can usually expect to pay fees for connection services, disconnection services, deposits, and more. When you’re moving to a new place, you’re probably already paying a lot of money for movers, monthly payment deposits, and travel. Included utilities make sure that there are fewer things on your plate by completely bypassing additonal fees.
No credit check required. Whether you have good credit or bad, you won’t have to worry about how that impacts your ability to get utilities because they won’t be in your name. This is especially helpful if you have bad credit, which can often lead to paying higher deposits and fees to set up utilities.
Worry less about how much you use. Because you’re paying a flat monthly rate, you don’t have to be as concerned about running the AC at your preferred temperature or taking long, hot showers. While some utilities may be capped, leasing companies make it easy to know what the cap is and tend to provide easy-to-access info if you’re close to reaching said limit. Don’t go overboard with utility usage though — it’s still important to keep in mind the environmental impacts of using excess electricity, water, or gas.
Utility costs might be included in monthly payments. Whether or not you’re receiving the bill for it, there’s a good chance that at least a portion of the average utility costs will already be a part of your monthly payments. However, you can do a little research to see what other people are paying for utilities to see if you’re still getting a bargain.
You won’t get credit-building benefits. While you can skip out on paying additional fees based on your credit score, you’re also not doing it any favors. Having utilities in your name and paying them on time provides a boost to your credit score. However, if you already have a fair to good credit rating or other bills in your name, such as cell phone or car insurance, this isn’t as much of a concern.
It could spoil you. Not having to pay attention to monthly utility bills could end up creating some bad habits. If you get used to running the AC at 73 degrees all the time while the leasing company is footing the bill, you may be surprised how much that actually costs when you move to a place that doesn’t include utilities.
All in all, there are many points to consider when determining if utilities included is right for you. Either way, it’s important to know what’s included and make sure that your housing contract states the same information. You should also ask if there is any utility limit, as some places might charge you for any usage over a certain amount. If you’re ready to find your next home, schedule a tour of one of our Gainesville apartments today!