<p>I’m moving into my first apartment in a few days, but I’m really confused as to what I have to do. My roommate and I signed the lease a while ago, but she’s left now and my parents are busy working abroad. I have lived on my own before but my parents were taking care of everything. It’s in NYC, in the Barnard area.</p>
<p>Do I have to set up the gas and electricity? If yes, how? What company should I call and do I need to pay anything before I get the gas and electricity, or will they bill us month by month for the previous month? When do people usually get the key? I phoned the super a couple days ago in order to know when exactly I could get the keys, but couldn’t understand him very well, partly because of his accent and partly because the call quality was low. He sounded rather flaky, and he was saying that the other people haven’t moved out yet and that he needs to do a lot, like re-paint and clean, and then hung up before I got a chance to say anything more…</p>
<p>Sorry if I seem so clueless. I suppose I actually am. What things do people need to do and know before they move in?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help! This is really stressing me out.</p>
<p>Call your landlord with those questions. Sometimes the electricity and gas are already on and you just need to send a notice that you are the new tenant. Most of the time you have to contact each individually. Your landlord should have that info. Make sure you have a written agreement with your roommate. If you set up the utilities they will be in your name and you’ll be on the hook to pay for them.</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding even stupider, I’m not sure who the landlord is. I suppose it’s neither the super whom I phoned, nor the broker whom I signed the lease with, right? Should I contact the broker with these questions? I think they would already be on, since there were people living there until now.</p>
<p>I believe that landlords in NYC are required by law to provide heat and hot water to all tenants, but you will be responsible for establishing electric, cable and internet service on your own. I’m pretty sure that ConEd is the electric provider for Manhattan. You’ll have to ask your landlord/super about the cable/internet provider for your building. Actually that info might be listed somewhere in your lease, but if not call the broker you used. They should be able to answer all your questions, especially if you let them know that you are having trouble communicating with the super. Are you going to have to move large items? If so, there are lots of “2 guys and a truck” type moving companies, though you need to be careful to check references and online reviews. I can ask my daughter which company she used if you like. I know she was happy with them, especially given that she was moving from an elevator building to a 4th floor walk-up!</p>
<p>You should have gotten a move in date te lease signing. Just call the broker. The lease shpild have all info and the broker is paid to take care of this for the landlord. And if the super doesn’t have apartment ready in time you should get a break on rent, as you will have to stay somewhere.</p>
<p>Ask questions and don’t be across to call the broker, is there a reason you haven’t? It’s a normal thing to do.</p>
<p>Thanks for your answers! I was able to get in touch with ConEd and setup the gas and electricity. I think we’ll first see if we can get a free wifi connection from some hotspot, or maybe still get the school wifi since it’s so close. Moving will hardly be an issue since we have no large item, but thanks.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why I haven’t, Seahorsesrock. Maybe I do feel slightly uncomfortable dealing with these people (brokers, supers, sellers of any kind, etc…), as it seems that they know much more than I do, are very aware of this, and that I’m consequently never really getting the full picture. When they answer my questions, it seems impossible to make a distinction between what would be in my interest, and what is purely in theirs, and to realize it when they have left out something, or when my rights are not being honored. Anyway, thanks! I guess I’ll just try to contact them later in the week about getting the keys.</p>
<p>Once you are able to get in, be sure to take a set of pictures (with a date stamp) of the entire apartment; especially take pictures of anything that is damaged, broken, scuffed, carpet or floor spots, etc. If at all possible show them to the super or landlord and have them sign something verifying the pictures are for the date you moved in. That way they can’t charge you for pre-existing damage when you move out.</p>
<p>When D signed a lease she received a letter with instructions on who to call for utilities, etc. you should get your key the first day of the lease our maybe a couple of days before.
Is your roommate moving at the same time? If not, is your roommate paying their portion of the lease while they are away?
I hope you have talked this out.
Good luck</p>
<p>It is the broker’s job to make sure you have all the info you need, and that’s why you’re paying her gazillions of dollars. Since you are paying her, your interest is her interest. (By the way, it sounds as though the super thought you were asking to move in early.)</p>