Your Move-In Checklist: Utilities, Internet & Renters Insurance
Just signed your lease? Here's the order to set up Houston utilities, internet, and renters insurance — with a timing checklist.
The day you sign your lease isn’t the end of the work — it’s the start of the move-in logistics. Utilities, internet, renters insurance, and possibly movers all need to be lined up so your first day in the apartment isn’t a scramble. Here’s the order to set them up and the timing that works in Houston.
Two Weeks Before Move-In
Three things to do as soon as you have a signed lease:
1. Set Up Electricity
Texas runs a deregulated electricity market, which means you pick your retail electric provider (REP) instead of being assigned one. Compare plans at PowerToChoose.org or use a service like ChooseTexasPower.
Things to know:
- Fixed-rate plans are typically the best deal for most renters — predictable monthly cost
- Variable-rate plans can be cheaper short-term but spike with the market
- Plans with “free nights” or “free weekends” are sometimes worth it depending on your usage pattern; usually not worth it if you’re at work during the day
- Most plans have early-termination fees ($150-$300) if you switch before the contract ends
- Deposit requirements vary by REP. If your credit doesn’t qualify, expect a $100-$300 deposit
Schedule the connection for your move-in day. Most REPs can connect within 2-3 business days of signup.
2. Schedule Internet Install
Houston has multiple internet providers depending on your address:
- Xfinity (Comcast): Coverage in most of Houston; cable internet up to 1 Gbps
- AT&T Fiber: Fiber where available; up to 5 Gbps in some neighborhoods
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Wireless home internet in covered areas
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Wireless home internet in covered areas
- Local options (NextLink, AirFiber): Some submarkets
Check what’s available at your specific address before assuming. Fiber installation can take 1-2 weeks to schedule; book early.
Some Houston communities have bulk internet deals — discounted service included in rent or available as a package. Sometimes these are great deals; sometimes they’re average service at a markup. Compare before signing up.
3. Bind Renters Insurance
Most Houston apartment communities require a renters insurance policy before you move in. Standard requirement: $100,000 liability minimum.
Common providers:
- Lemonade: Online, fast bind, monthly subscription model. Often the lowest price for basic coverage.
- State Farm / GEICO / Allstate: Bundled with auto, sometimes the cheapest if you already have a policy with them
- Assurant / Renters Property Solutions: Community-partnered providers, often easy bind
- Jetty: Combined with their guarantor service
Typical Houston cost: $10-$15/month for basic coverage, $20-$30/month for premium with higher personal property limits.
The community will need your policy number and effective date before you move in. Most online providers can bind a policy in 5-10 minutes.
One Week Before Move-In
4. Confirm Movers or Truck Rental
Houston peak moving days (Saturdays, end-of-month, end-of-summer) book up 2-3 weeks ahead. By 7-10 days out, you should have:
- Movers booked (if using full-service) with confirmed start time
- Truck rented (if DIY) with pickup time confirmed
- Moving supplies (boxes, tape, blankets) gathered
Houston full-service movers typically charge $400-$1,200 for a one-bedroom move depending on distance and complexity. Truck rental for a one-bedroom is typically $40-$80 plus mileage.
5. Schedule Cable / Streaming Setup (Optional)
If you want traditional cable TV, schedule install. Most renters skip this for streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube TV), which just need internet to work. If you’re streaming, no install needed — just turn on the apps once internet is live.
6. Forward Mail
Set up USPS mail forwarding 5-7 days before move-in. Free at USPS.com. Forwards mail for up to 12 months while you update your address with everyone.
Day Before Move-In
7. Final Walkthrough
Most Houston communities offer a final walkthrough with the leasing office. Take it. Walk through the unit with the leasing agent, note any existing damage on the move-in inspection form, take photos of every wall, every appliance, and every surface. Keep the photos.
This protects you at move-out when the community claims damages. Your inspection form and photos are the proof that the damage was already there.
8. Confirm Utilities Are On
Call your electricity provider and confirm the unit is active. Call internet to confirm install is scheduled or active. Check renters insurance shows the unit as covered.
Move-In Day
9. Get Keys
Pick up keys at the leasing office. Sign anything they need signed. Confirm the resident portal login for online payments.
10. First-Day Setup
Order of operations:
- Confirm power on, water flowing, gas (if applicable) on
- Set up modem/router (or schedule internet install if it’s the same day)
- Set up thermostat
- Bring in essentials (bed, basic kitchen, towels, day-one clothes)
- Order pizza. Everything else can wait.
The full unpack takes a week or two. The minimum to sleep that night takes an hour or two.
Texas-Specific Tips
- Houston summers: Get the AC running and confirm it’s cooling well during your final walkthrough. Houston summer heat (June-September) is brutal; a malfunctioning AC is an emergency.
- Bayou flooding: If your apartment is in a flood-prone area (look at FEMA flood maps), seriously consider flood-coverage rider on your renters insurance. Standard policies typically don’t cover flooding.
- Power deposits: Texas REPs sometimes require deposits if your credit doesn’t qualify. Plan for $100-$300 if you’re new to electricity service.
- Internet contracts: Many providers offer “promo” rates that jump after 12 months. Set a reminder for month 10 to renegotiate or switch.
How the Concierge Helps
Our post-lease concierge service handles the coordination for you:
- Sources competitive electricity rates for your specific address
- Identifies available internet providers and current promo rates
- Recommends renters insurance providers that meet your community’s requirements
- Compares mover quotes if you want full-service
The service is free to you. Some of our partner providers pay us a referral commission when you sign up through us; you pay the same rate either way.
Get post-lease concierge support or start a free apartment search.
