Utilities for new apartment

[USAtoBA]

Hi friends,

I am hopefully moving into a new apartment this month, if the landlord isn't covering utilities (waiting on contract info) how long does it take to get things up and running? Can I do it without a DNI? If not my girlfriend can use hers... I think. Aside from not having furniture would it be wise to stay in an Airbnb a bit longer or will things be turned on promptly?

I searched some old threads but the last ones I found were 2017. So I figured I'd start fresh.

Thank you!

 

[lunar]

It probably would have been a good idea to figure out who is paying the utilities before signing the contract.

It depends on the service. For internet, if there is no current service with that company at the address, you can usually set it up without a DNI.
But for utilities like electricity or gas, if somebody is already listed as the account holder, normally only that person can request a change of titularidad (account holder / subscriber name).

Also, if the gas has been disconnected for a while, they will likely require a new inspection by a licensed gas technician before reconnecting it.

Normally they don't request any changes, though. If utilities are not included in the rent, you can pay the utility bills as they come, even if they are in somebody else's name. If you don't have a bank account, you can pay them in cash at places like Pago Fácil.

 

[twoofeverything]

Usually they'll be kept in owners name. You can take your utility bills to any Pago Facil location, for example Western Union, and pay in cash.

 

[LuckyLuke]

There are 3 types of situations down here:

1) Owner keeps utilities in their name, they pay and you reimburse them with the rent.
2) Owner keeps utilities in their name, you pay the utility directly.
3) You put the utilities in your name, you pay the utility directly.

You need to find out which of these 3 your new apartment falls under. Each has a different protocol.