Getting your utilities connected is one of the first things you’ll do in your new place, and also one of the most important. Unlike visa forms or apartment hunting, there’s no waiting around for approval. Most utilities get set up within a few days of requesting them, and knowing who to contact and what paperwork you’ll need makes the whole process straightforward.
It was Thursday when Amara arrived at her new flat in Berlin. The landlord had texted her that “everything is ready”, and she could see the lights worked when she flipped the switches. But when she turned on the shower Friday morning, nothing happened. The taps were dry.
She called the landlord. “Check the valve in the basement,” he said. It was open. She called the water company and waited 20 minutes for someone who spoke English. They checked their records: no account in her name. The old tenant’s service had ended, but no one had transferred it. Her job started Monday. She had no shower, no drinking water beyond what she could carry from a shop three blocks away, and no clear answer from anyone on whether this would be fixed in time.
That Friday afternoon, her neighbor Elena came by with a welcome gift (wine and bread) and asked how the move was going. Amara mentioned the water. Elena laughed, said she’d had the same thing, and walked Amara downstairs to show her the building’s water shut-off valve. Elena made a quick call to the water company in German while Amara listened. Two minutes later: they needed Amara’s German tax ID number and a copy of her tenancy agreement. Elena explained where to get the tax ID (a small office around the corner, takes 20 minutes). Amara had the tenancy agreement upstairs.
By Sunday evening, water was flowing. Monday morning, the shower worked.
Internet: Sort This First
Electricity and water matter, but internet is urgent if you’re working remotely. Contact your internet provider at least one week before your move-in date, or as soon as you have your address and tenancy agreement. They’ll tell you whether the building already has a cable installed, how long installation takes (usually three to five days once you request it), and what documents you’ll need.
Most providers want your tenancy agreement and ID. Some have English support lines; others don’t. If language is a barrier, ask your landlord or a neighbor to help with the call. Many now have online request forms, which sidesteps the phone altogether. If you’re moving mid-week and need internet by Monday, give yourself at least four days of buffer.
The key thing Amara didn’t know: internet installation is separate from any existing cables. Just because power works doesn’t mean the internet line is there.
Electricity and Water
These usually move faster than internet. Contact both the electricity provider and water company with your address and tenancy agreement. Most countries let you request setup online or by phone. They’ll need your full name, ID number, a copy of your tenancy agreement, and a meter reading on move-in day.
Take photos of all the meter displays on your first day. This is your record of what the previous tenant left it at, and it protects you if there’s any dispute about usage later. You’ll also want to know where your building’s main water shut-off valve is, in case of an emergency.
Water companies sometimes act faster if the building’s main supply is already active. You’re mainly establishing an account and payment method in your name. Electricity usually takes a few more days because the company needs to coordinate with the building.
Don’t assume the utilities are “already set up” because power or water already worked when you arrived. They might be under the previous tenant’s name and could be cut off once that person’s contract ends. Amara learned this the hard way.
Deposits and Ongoing Payments
Most utility companies ask for an initial payment or a deposit (a one-time security amount you’ll get back when you move out). This is normal and usually represents a few months of estimated usage. Ask upfront what the amount is and how to pay it.
You’ll also set up an ongoing payment method, usually a recurring bank transfer on a fixed date each month. Make sure you understand the payment date so your account doesn’t lapse accidentally.
Keep every utility bill and account confirmation email. You’ll need them if you ever have to prove residence, dispute a charge, or prove you closed the account properly when you eventually move again.
The Real Shortcut
When Amara needed help, she didn’t find it in an app or a manual. She found it from Elena, someone who’d already walked the path. That neighbor’s 10-minute conversation saved her three days of confusion and a weekend without water.
If you’re moving and haven’t connected with neighbors or locals yet, reach out early. They know the actual process, not just the official one, and they can usually walk you through the unexpected parts.
