![]() Expect to pay for electricity, no matter what type of unit you live in. If your building uses radiators, don’t expect a heating bill, but do expect a slightly larger monthly rent.Įlectricity. … However, not all apartments charge for heat. ![]() (If you have a gas range, you’ll also likely pay for the gas you use in cooking.) This expense will be fairly high in the winter … and almost non-existent in the summer. If your unit has a thermostat, expect to pay for heating. Pay on time to stay in your landlord’s good graces – and to avoid any late fees. This is your primary monthly expense – and the largest. Once you get that out of the way, what are the monthly expenses you can expect: Either way, as you move in you’ll also need to buy some basics like toilet paper, hand soap, cleaning supplies, etc. Friends, on the other hand, are cheaper and may be happy to help. Movers can be expensive, but they’ll also likely do a better and quicker job. You need to decide whether you’re using movers or friends. This is a one-time expense, but it can be a big one. But what are your expenses once you move in? Let’s break it down.įirst, there’s the moving. You’ve signed the lease and you have a move-in date. You can also request this bill comparison by mail.First Apartment Budgeting Basics: Your Monthly Expenses Checklist Ameren customers who want more detail will be able to find an online breakdown of how much electricity they used and the rate they paid each hour over that period, at On the website, you can also view a comparison of what you would have paid under your utility’s standard rates versus what you paid in the power-smart pricing program. Your bill will include the number of kilowatt-hours you used over the course of the billing period and a total cost for that electricity. Remember, under hourly pricing, you could be charged a vastly different rate for each hour of electricity usage over the course of a month. ![]() That fixed charge, which all electric customers pay, covers the costs associated with such tasks as meter reading and testing the meter equipment.)Īlso, you won’t pay Ameren’s standard per-kilowatt-hour electricity rate. (This charge is in addition to the “meter charge” already on your bill. First, your monthly bill will have the $2.25 monthly “meter lease” fee added to it. ![]() You will pay all the charges on your electric bill now, with two differences. If the company’s probe alleges that there has been a “tap” on the pipes or wires-meaning somebody is stealing your gas or electricity-the utility will attempt to ask the landlord to remove it immediately and determine who benefited from the tap. Remember, for any suspiciously high bills, the company is obligated to investigate within 30 days. ![]() The utility is not obligated to correct the problem and will hold you responsible for the charges, so use the letter to pursue your landlord to fix the matter and give you compensation. If the company finds something wrong, ask it to send you a letter confirming the problem. Also, it’s your right to ask the gas or electric utility to trace your lines to determine if you’re paying for utility service in an additional apartment or any other area that isn’t your responsibility. Turn off all your electric appliances and then find your meter and check if it’s still running. If your electric bill seems too high, you can try your own test. For example, renters are sometimes inappropriately charged for utility costs connected to the laundry room, outside lights, and even the building’s hot water heater. Make sure you aren’t being charged for more than what you agreed to. Read the lease carefully to see what utilities you are responsible for paying. ![]()
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