Deposits and ID for gas, water, trash, and regulated electric

Gas, water, trash, and electricity in a regulated market have to hear the enrollment from the account holder. They want a name, a start date, often a photo ID or a Social Security number, and sometimes a deposit. Utility Connect can tell you who they are and how to reach them. We cannot send your ID, agree to their terms, or start those accounts. That is the regulated and municipal side of a move. It is not how the rest of the call works.

On that same move, internet, TV, satellite, phone, home security, insurance, home warranty, and movers, and electricity in a deregulated market are set up with you while you are on the phone with us. You still choose and agree. You do not go finish those alone after we hang up. Keeping the two lists straight is the whole point of the call.

Why a third party stops at the local utilities

Those providers are extending service at a specific premise to a specific person. They are required to speak with the homeowner or the account holder. A concierge, an agent, or a parent submitting the water form does not satisfy that rule, and the order fails or lands on the wrong person. We locate the provider and send the contact information and the way to enroll. You establish the account.

The other services are built for a conversation with you present. We shop the available offers, you pick, and the setup is completed before the call ends. If a partner describes both lists as "they handle it," they have erased the step their client still owes the city.

Deposits on local accounts

A deposit is the local utility's decision, made on your application. Some waive it. Some charge a flat amount. The notes say what we can see. The amount you will actually pay is decided when you enroll, and you pay them, not us. Do not hand a water or electric deposit to anyone who is not that provider.

Deposits on services we set up, such as internet equipment, are handled with the provider as part of the call. You will hear the amount before anything is charged. You are not surprised by a line item after we hang up.

Have this ready for the local enrollments

The service address, including the unit or lot, matching the notes
The day you can take responsibility, which is possession
A government photo ID
Whatever second proof that provider usually asks for
A card for a deposit, used on their payment line

Do those calls the same day you receive the notes, during their business hours. The research goes stale if the move date moves and you never enroll. The services we already set up on our call do not enroll your water for you.

Roommates, spouses, and landlords

Whoever will be on the local bill should be the person who calls that provider. A landlord can confirm the unit is vacant. A landlord's make-ready account is not your account. Parents helping an adult child can sit with them and read our notes. The adult who will live there still has to complete the gas, water, trash, or regulated electric enrollment.

Common questions

Can I sign something that lets you submit the water application?

No. A note addressed to us does not make the city accept the order from us. You contact them and enroll.

Then what is the point of the concierge for electric?

It depends on the market. Regulated electric is information we send, and you enroll. Deregulated electric is compared and set up on the call. We will tell you which one your address is.

Do I have to use the company in the notes?

For water, trash, gas, and regulated electric there is often only one provider. You still have to enroll with that one. You do not get to pick a different city's utility because the deposit is annoying.

Questions worth asking them are in questions to ask the provider when you enroll.