For electric, gas, and water (if it’s not included, but you should check), I don’t think there are fees to establish an account. The internet provider may have fees, but you can check on their site.

You won't need the Internet to be turned on to get keys, either. Plenty of people use 5g only nowadays.

Water has to be included in rent by law unless there's a specific meter for the apartment, low flow faucets etc. are installed, and the lease specifically calls out billing to the tenant.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-submetering-water-for-tenants

Thanks!

Thanks a ton!

It doesn’t cost anything with Eversource unless you’re building a new house or starting a new service that didn’t previously exist. It seems like neither of those are the case. The process is very easy and can be done online.

Belmont owns its own municipal utility, so they play by their own rules. Not sure what the deal is there, but I’d imagine it’s the same.

Zero. Call the utilities directly. The only thing you need to do is get gas/electric in your name. If the realtor can't help you there, then ask what the fuck you are paying them for? This is their bread and butter and they should be helping you.

You can set up gas and electric with eversource online without a phone call, if the landlord gives you the account numbers for both gas an electric.

This is how I’ve done it at every apartment I’ve lived in.

You might be able to setup internet access with a phone call as well, they have apps that walk you through setup, though they can be finicky at times.