Renting an apartment comes with its own set of challenges, and one of them includes understanding what utilities are included in your rent. You don't want to end up paying for unexpected expenses that could make it difficult for you to manage your budget. It's crucial to do your research before signing the lease agreement. In this blog post, we will discuss the utilities that are included in your rent and those you might have to pay yourself.
Most apartments include water in your rent. This utility is essential to any household, and apartment complexes understand its importance. Water usage is generally not metered; therefore, it's included in your rent, and you don't have to pay for it separately.
Electricity bills are usually the tenant's responsibility, except in some instances where they are included in the rent. Some apartments that include electricity in rent might impose a limit, and you might have to pay an extra amount if you go over the limit.
Similar to electricity, gas bills are generally the tenant's responsibility. However, some apartments that use gas for cooking or heating might include it in your rent.
Most apartment complexes include trash removal in the rent. They have trash cans/dumpsters on-site and collect them regularly. You don't have to worry about taking your trash to a dump or paying a separate fee for this utility.
Internet and cable bills are not typically included in rent and are the tenant's responsibility. However, some apartment complexes might have bulk deals with internet/cable providers and offer them to tenants as part of their amenities.
If you have pets, some apartments charge a monthly pet fee or a one-time non-refundable pet deposit. These fees are not generally included in rent.
Before signing the lease agreement, it's crucial to understand the utilities that are included in rent and those you might have to pay yourself. Researching the apartment complex's amenities, policies, and reading the lease agreement thoroughly can save you from unexpected expenses. At Oasis at Riverlights in Wilmington, NC, we include water, trash removal, and amenity access in our rent. If you're looking for apartments for rent in Wilmington, NC, contact us today to schedule a personal tour.