How to Set Up Utilities and Internet After Moving to NYC
Moving into a New York City apartment is not like moving anywhere else. Landlords here rarely hand over a turn-key setup. In most cases, you are responsible for establishing your own electric account, arranging internet service, and understanding what the building covers before your first bill arrives. Do this wrong and you may spend your first two weeks in the city without working Wi-Fi, disputing a gas activation, or realizing your lease required you to notify Con Edison before move-in. Getting ahead of this process is straightforward once you know how it actually works.
Who Handles What: Understanding NYC Utility Structures
Before you call anyone, read your lease. In New York City, utility responsibility varies significantly by building type and borough. In many older pre-war buildings throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Upper Manhattan, heat and hot water are included in rent — managed by the landlord under NYC's Heat Season rules (October 1 through May 31). Cold water is almost universally included. Electricity, however, is almost always tenant responsibility. Gas can go either way depending on how the building is configured.
In newer buildings and most market-rate apartments in Manhattan and Long Island City, you may be responsible for electricity and gas separately. Confirm this in writing before you sign. It affects your monthly budget significantly.
Setting Up Con Edison (Electric and Gas)
Con Edison is the primary utility provider for most of New York City, covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Westchester. Staten Island uses National Grid for gas and Con Edison for electricity, so residents there will deal with two separate providers.
Start your Con Edison service at least five business days before your move-in date. You can do this online at coned.com or by calling 1-800-752-6633. You will need your new address, your move-in date, and a Social Security number or ITIN. If you do not have a U.S. credit history — common for international relocations — Con Edison may require a security deposit. First-time NYC residents from abroad should plan for this and have a debit card or check available.
For gas activation specifically, an in-unit inspection is sometimes required before service begins. This can add several days to your timeline. Do not assume gas is active just because electric is confirmed.
Internet Providers by Borough: What's Actually Available
New York City's internet landscape is dominated by two major providers: Optimum (Altice) and Verizon Fios. Their availability is highly geographic and often building-specific.
Verizon Fios offers fiber-optic service with strong speeds and relatively consistent reliability. It is well-represented in parts of Brooklyn (Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Flatbush), Queens (Astoria, Flushing, Forest Hills), and the Bronx. It is less available in Manhattan's dense core and virtually absent in many older walk-up buildings where fiber infrastructure was never run.
Optimum covers broader Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx, but customer service complaints are widespread. For families with children doing remote schoolwork or households with multiple streaming devices, Fios is generally the preferred choice where available.
Check both providers' address-specific availability tools before you sign a lease if internet quality is a priority. Some buildings have exclusive agreements with one provider, which eliminates your choice entirely. Ask the landlord or building super directly.
NYC Water and Trash: What You Don't Need to Set Up
Unlike many U.S. cities, New York City residents do not establish personal accounts for water or trash. Water and sewer services are billed to the property owner, not the tenant. Trash pickup is handled by the Department of Sanitation on a building-by-building schedule. Your building's super or management company handles trash logistics — your job is to follow whatever sorting and pickup schedule they post.
Recycling rules in New York City are specific. Paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and certain plastics are separated. Food scraps composting has expanded significantly in recent years through the NYC Department of Sanitation's composting program, now mandatory in many areas. Check your Community Board's guidelines or nyc.gov/sanitation for current requirements in your neighborhood.
Phone Service and the Practical NYC Checklist
Cell coverage in New York City is strong across all major carriers — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — though subway signal quality still varies by line and station depth. Most households maintain a cell plan and a home internet connection. A landline is rarely needed.
Before your move-in date, confirm these items are handled: Con Edison account opened, gas activation scheduled if applicable, internet provider selected and installation booked, and your building's laundry, package, and entry systems understood. Ask your super or leasing agent about intercom setups — many NYC buildings now use apps like Butterfly MX or ButterflyMX for keyless entry, which require a smartphone download before your first day.
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FAQs
Do I need to set up utilities before I get the keys to my NYC apartment?
Yes. Con Edison recommends opening your account at least five days before your move-in date. If you wait until after you move in, you may experience a gap in service, particularly for gas, which can require an inspection before activation.
What if my NYC building already has internet wiring — do I still need to set up my own account?
Yes. Existing wiring does not mean an active account. You will need to contact the provider directly, confirm service availability at your address, and schedule an installation or self-install kit. Some buildings have a preferred provider — ask management before choosing.
Can I get internet service in NYC without a Social Security number?
Most major providers require either an SSN or an ITIN for account setup. Verizon Fios and Optimum both accept ITINs. If you have neither, a credit card and a deposit may allow service in some cases — call the provider directly to discuss options.
Why is my gas not working even though I set up a Con Edison account?
Gas activation sometimes requires a physical inspection of your unit's appliances before service is turned on. This is common in buildings where previous tenants had issues or where the line was shut off. Schedule the inspection as early as possible — it can take several days to get an appointment.
Is heat always included in NYC apartment rent?
Not always, but it is common in older buildings. NYC law requires landlords to provide adequate heat during Heat Season (October 1–May 31), but that does not necessarily mean it is included in your rent payment. Some leases charge heat separately or include it in a utilities fee. Read your lease carefully and ask before signing.
What is the fastest way to get internet set up in a new NYC apartment?
Check Fios and Optimum availability at your specific address as soon as you have it — ideally before you sign the lease. Book an installation appointment immediately, as slots in dense neighborhoods can book out one to two weeks. Self-install kits, where available, are the fastest option and typically arrive within three to five business days.