When you rent an apartment, utility bills and deposits can feel just as stressful as the rent itself. Heating, cooling, electricity, water, and internet can easily add up, especially if you live in an older building or a region with extreme weather. Many renters quietly struggle to keep up, and some face difficult choices about which bills to pay first.

Moving into a new place usually feels exciting—right up until the utility bills and deposits start rolling in. Electricity, gas, water, internet, trash, maybe even sewer and heating—each one can come with connection fees, deposits, and ongoing monthly costs that add up fast.

Moving into a new rental is stressful enough. Then the utility companies ask for a hefty deposit before they’ll turn on electricity, gas, water, or internet. For many renters, especially those on tight budgets, that upfront utility deposit can be the difference between moving in smoothly and falling behind before the first month even starts.

You finally get the keys, move in your boxes, and go to flip on the lights—only to realize all the utilities are set up in your landlord’s name, not yours.