Getting the keys is only part of moving in.
Before the first full week in your new Boston apartment, make sure the WiFi, electricity and any gas service are actually set up.
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1. Check your lease first
Start by checking which utilities you are responsible for.
In Massachusetts, landlords can require tenants to pay for utilities such as electricity, gas or heat when the rental agreement and building setup meet the applicable requirements.
Separate metering matters. Tenants generally should not be billed directly for electricity or gas serving another unit or shared area.
Water charges have additional rules, including separate submetering and written-agreement requirements.
If anything in the lease is unclear, confirm exactly which accounts you are expected to open before move-in.
2. Set up electricity
Eversource handles electric delivery and billing for Boston addresses.
You can start residential service online and choose a start date that matches when your lease says you become responsible for the apartment.
One Boston-specific detail can make the first bill confusing: some customers may see Boston Community Choice Electricity listed as their electricity supplier.
Eversource still handles delivery and sends the bill.
3. Check whether your apartment uses gas
Natural gas can cover heating, hot water or cooking depending on the building.
For Boston gas service, National Grid is the main utility provider.
National Grid recommends arranging new service 5 to 7 days before moving, because some addresses may require an in-person service visit.
Your landlord or property manager should be able to confirm whether your apartment uses gas and whether you need to open the account yourself.
4. Choose your internet provider
Xfinity and Verizon are two major home internet options around Boston, but availability can change from one building to another.
Check your exact address before choosing a plan.
Some apartments are already wired for one or both providers, which can make setup much easier.
Before signing up, compare:
- monthly price
- installation or equipment fees
- speed
- contract or promotional terms
- what the price becomes after any introductory offer ends
5. Ask whether you can self install
If your apartment already has the right equipment and wiring, you may not need to wait for a technician.
For eligible Xfinity addresses that are already set up for service, customers may be able to use a self-install kit and pick up or receive the equipment.
Some Verizon Fios apartments can also use self-installation when the address already has the necessary Fios equipment and wiring.
Check eligibility before booking an installation appointment.
One roommate rule worth following
Figure out who is responsible for each account before the first bills arrive.
Internet, electricity and gas can get confusing quickly when several roommates assume someone else already handled them.
It also helps to agree in advance on how bills will be split and whose name each account will use.
The Bzz take
The easiest move is checking the lease first, confirming the utility setup with your landlord and starting any required accounts before move-in day.
A few minutes of setup before the semester gets busy can save you from moving into an apartment with no WiFi, no electricity or a gas account nobody remembered to open.
Information checked Sept. 7, 2026. Utility responsibilities depend on your lease and building setup, and provider requirements can change. Confirm account responsibilities with your landlord and current setup requirements with the utility or internet provider.
