Move-in Utilities Checklist by Address and Tenancy
Use this guide to coordinate services and responsibility for bills. Retailer choice and water charges depend on your location, property and tenancy; there is no single nationwide setup rule or typical bill.
In this guide
Collect the details before comparing
- Exact address and unit number, lease or settlement start date, access date and contact details for installation.
- Renter or owner status; which services are included in rent, separately metered or shared; whether the property is in an embedded network.
- Electricity meter/NMI and gas meter/MIRN if available, actual prior usage if it relates to your household, solar/export arrangements and any controlled-load or time-of-use tariff.
- Whether the home actually uses gas; how hot water is supplied; whether internet equipment and required ports are present.
Ask the landlord or building manager who supplies each service and whether you can choose a retailer. An embedded network can have different switching and billing arrangements. A named retailer such as AGL is not available to every address nationally.
Use the route for your state and meter
| Location | Starting point |
|---|---|
| NSW, Queensland, SA, Tasmania, ACT | Energy Made Easy uses postcode and usage information; actual offers depend on location, meter and network. |
| Victoria | Victorian Energy Compare for address and usage-based comparison. |
| Western Australia | WA electricity industry guidance to identify the local supply and retailer arrangements. Do not assume open household electricity choice. |
| Northern Territory | NT Utilities Commission pricing guidance and suppliers serving your address. |
Compare the daily supply charge, usage rates, tariff periods, demand charges if any, fees, discounts and contract conditions. Peak/off-peak hours are set by the actual plan and network; no universal window or percentage saving is promised here. Separate electricity and gas calculations because their units and supply charges differ.
Check water responsibility before paying a bill
Owners and renters can have different obligations for water usage, supply and sewerage. Separate metering, water-efficiency conditions, the lease, billing evidence and notice deadlines can matter. Do not assume a landlord can pass through an entire water bill, or that every tenant pays usage only. For example, South Australian rules differ from NSW and Victoria.
Read the current local guide: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory. ACT tenancy guidance separates consumption from water supply charges; confirm metering and your agreement before paying.
Record meter readings where accessible and safe at move-in and move-out. Ask for the underlying bill and period when a usage charge is passed on. For public housing, residential parks or boarding arrangements, check their specific rules rather than applying a private residential-tenancy summary.
Book and confirm each connection
- Choose eligible electricity/gas offers and obtain the plan documents, connection charges and start date in writing. Ask whether access or a safety inspection is needed.
- Check the internet address and technology, installation appointment, equipment and any new-development or non-standard charges. Use the detailed internet connection guide rather than an outdated generic NBN speed table.
- Ask the owner/agent or water supplier what account changes or readings are required for water at this property.
- Keep a status list: requested, accepted, scheduled, active. An application confirmation is not proof a service is active.
- On move-in, verify services and report problems promptly through official contacts. Keep a temporary internet option if work depends on connectivity.
Build a budget from your own assumptions
Illustrative monthly budget, not a market quote: electricity $120 + gas $40 + internet $80 + water charges for which you are actually liable $20 = $260 per month, or $3,120 per year. Replace every number with a quote, legal responsibility and your expected use. An all-electric home may have no gas account but higher electricity use; do not simply carry both assumptions forward.
Separate one-off setup and equipment costs from ongoing bills. Convert an annual estimate to a monthly provision by dividing by 12; a quarterly bill by 3. Seasonal heating and cooling can make an individual month very different. Reconcile the first bills against opening readings, plan rates and the periods you occupied the property.
Frequently asked questions
Can everyone choose any electricity retailer?
No. State, postcode, meter, network and embedded-network arrangements affect retailer choice and eligible offers.
Does the tenant always pay all water charges?
No. Check the local tenancy rules, metering, agreement and supporting bill; usage, supply and sewerage can have different responsibility.
How much should I budget?
Use your address-specific quotes and expected usage. The illustrative example on this page is $260 per month or $3,120 per year, not a typical-price claim.
Sources and review scope
Source check: 1 October 2026. The linked provider and regulator pages support the stated scope. Illustrative calculations are not live quotes, product testing, individual approval or professional advice. Recheck provider terms before acting.
- AER Energy Made Easy jurisdictions and comparison
- Victorian Energy Compare
- WA electricity arrangements
- NT regulated retail pricing
- NSW tenancy water guidance
- Victoria tenancy water guidance
- Queensland tenancy water guidance
- Western Australia tenancy water guidance
- South Australia tenancy water guidance
- Tasmania tenancy water guidance
- Northern Territory tenancy water guidance
- ACT tenancy utility and water responsibilities