How should I prepare the home’s utilities?

Unlike a traditional rental, utilities are included in the price paid by members. Hosts must ensure that the utilities are turned on and paid prior to listing the property. This process may take as long as 45 days in some municipalities. Details on how to complete these steps are provided below. 

Power 

A property’s power is often the simplest utility to turn on and can usually be done over the phone. It should also be the first utility to be turned on as any renovation work will most likely require the use of electricity. 

Providing paperwork or meeting with a technician is rarely required for turning on the power. However, in certain municipalities, utilities are provided locally and bundled into one package. Turning the utilities on in cases like these may require a visit to the respective company’s office. 

Estimated lead time required: 24 to 48 hours 

Water

Water is almost always provided by the local municipality. It must be turned on at the property before any paint work is done by contractors. You may need to obtain a settlement statement/deed, a signed lease or a signed letter of authorization from the owner. It may be required to have an adult on-site for a technician. 

Estimated lead time required: 5 to 10 days 

Gas

Natural gas is often provided by a public utility but may be marketed and sold through third-party companies in some locations, such as in Atlanta. If natural gas is required at the property, it should be optimized for price and service according to the options available on the market. Turning on natural gas usually requires meeting a technician on-site and must be completed in order to activate the HVAC system, hot water and stove-top cooking. We recommend locking in a long-term rate and setting annual renewal reminders to avoid seeing a spike in price later on.

Estimated lead time required: 5 to 10 days

WiFi

WiFi installation must be completed prior to programming the exterior smart door lock if one is being used for the property. Most markets offer multiple WiFi providers such as Comcast and AT&T. Many also offer the option to rent modems and routers for convenience purchases. However, these rentals typically cost around $15 per month which can exceed the price of a purchased system fairly quickly. 

The modem and router should be installed in a centrally located common area or as close to one as possible. WiFi extenders may be required in larger homes in order to improve internet access from all parts of the home. Cable service is not required, nor desired, in PadSplits. This can result in very high WiFI usage due to streaming services being used more often. Make sure that your plan does not charge excess fees for higher consumption. 

Estimated lead time required: 10 to 20 days 

Waste 

Waste services are location-dependent. In some places, they are provided by the local municipality and paid for by local taxes. In others, these services are private and need to be sought out by you. You must ensure that there is an active waste service in place and provide adequate containers. While some municipalities provide receptacles, some mandate a specific type but do not provide them and some do not engage in either practice. 

Estimated lead time required (if not municipally provided): 10 days