Texas Renter's Guide to Setting Up Utilities in a Dallas Apartment

Setting up utilities in a Texas apartment for the first time involves a step that does not exist in most other states: choosing your electricity provider. Texas has a deregulated electricity market, which means you are not assigned a utility -- you shop for one. This guide covers every utility category you will encounter when moving into a Dallas apartment, with specific guidance on the Texas electricity market, what your landlord typically handles, and how to avoid common setup mistakes.

What Your Landlord Usually Covers vs. What You Pay

Before setting up anything, clarify with your landlord or leasing office which utilities are included in rent and which are tenant-paid. The most common Dallas apartment arrangement:

•        Water and sewer -- often included in rent, particularly in older apartment communities; some newer properties meter water individually and bill tenants separately

•        Trash -- nearly always included in rent

•        Electricity -- almost always tenant-paid in Texas; this is the deregulated utility you will choose yourself

•        Natural gas -- tenant-paid in units with gas appliances (stoves, water heaters, dryers); electric-only units do not have a gas bill

•        Internet -- always tenant-paid; some communities have bulk internet agreements with a provider that give residents discounted rates, worth asking about

At Melody Parc, our leasing team will walk you through exactly which utilities are included and which you will need to set up before move-in. Getting this list in advance lets you have all accounts active on day one.

Electricity in Texas: How the Deregulated Market Works

Texas's electricity deregulation means that the electricity delivery infrastructure (the poles and wires) is maintained by a regulated utility -- in Dallas, that is Oncor Electric Delivery -- but the actual electricity you buy is from a retail electric provider (REP) you choose. There are dozens of REPs competing for your business, offering different rates, contract lengths, and plan structures.

The official place to compare plans is PowerToChoose.org, the state-run comparison site maintained by the Public Utility Commission of Texas. This is a genuinely useful tool -- it shows you current rates from all licensed providers serving your zip code, the contract length, any early termination fees, and the plan details. Use it before signing up with any provider.

Key things to understand when comparing electricity plans:

•        Rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) -- the price you pay for each unit of electricity; look at the rate at 1,000 kWh/month usage, which is the standard benchmark shown on PowerToChoose

•        Contract length -- plans range from month-to-month (no commitment, usually slightly higher rates) to 12-month, 24-month, or longer fixed-rate contracts; a fixed rate protects you from price spikes but requires an early termination fee if you move before the contract ends

•        Early termination fee -- ranges from $0 (month-to-month plans) to $150-$300+ for long fixed-rate contracts; important if there is any chance you will move before the contract ends

•        Average vs. tiered rates -- some plans advertise low per-kWh rates that only apply at specific usage levels; read the Electricity Facts Label (EFL) carefully

For a typical Dallas 1BR apartment, monthly electricity usage ranges from about 500-700 kWh in mild months to 1,200+ kWh in peak summer (July-August) when air conditioning runs heavily. Budget approximately $80-$150 per month on average over a year, with summer months running higher.

Setting Up Electricity Service

Once you have chosen a provider on PowerToChoose.org, the signup process is straightforward: you provide your move-in address, desired start date, and billing information. Most providers can activate service within 1-2 business days for an existing meter; a new meter connection may take longer. Set up service at least 3-5 business days before your move-in date to ensure electricity is on when you arrive.

You will also interact with Oncor (the distribution utility) if there are any infrastructure issues -- power outages, meter problems, or wiring issues in the building. Oncor's customer service handles these even though Oncor does not bill you directly for electricity. Save Oncor's outage reporting number (1-888-313-4747) separately from your REP's contact information.

Natural Gas Setup in Dallas

If your apartment has gas appliances -- a gas stove, gas water heater, or gas dryer hookup -- you will need natural gas service. Dallas natural gas is provided by Atmos Energy, which is a regulated utility (not deregulated like electricity). Setup is straightforward: call Atmos Energy or visit their website to establish service at your new address before move-in. Have your move-in date, address, and a form of identification ready.

Atmos Energy charges a base service fee plus a per-unit rate for gas consumed. For a typical apartment, gas bills run $20-$40 per month in mild weather and $60-$100+ in winter months when heating is active. Apartments with electric heating and electric water heaters have no gas bill.

Water and Sewer in Dallas

Dallas water service is provided by Dallas Water Utilities for city-serviced addresses. If your apartment separately meters and bills water, you may need to establish a Dallas Water Utilities account. If water is included in your rent (common in older apartment communities), no setup is needed -- confirm this with your landlord.

Dallas tap water is treated and meets federal drinking water standards. If you prefer filtered water, an under-sink or countertop filter is a low-cost addition to any apartment kitchen.

Internet Service in Dallas

Dallas has solid internet provider competition. The main options in the Vickery Meadow area:

•        Spectrum (Charter) -- widely available; cable internet with speeds from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps; no annual contract required; reliable for most home uses including remote work and streaming

•        AT&T Fiber -- available at select addresses; symmetrical speeds (equal upload and download); particularly valuable for heavy upload use cases like video calls and content creation; check availability at your specific address

When setting up internet, ask the leasing office which providers currently service the building -- some older buildings have bulk cable agreements that simplify or limit your choices. For remote workers especially, confirming internet setup before move-in is worth doing early.

Utility Setup Checklist for Move-In

•        Confirm with leasing which utilities are tenant-paid vs. included in rent

•        Compare electricity plans at PowerToChoose.org; sign up 3-5 days before move-in

•        If gas appliances: set up Atmos Energy service before move-in

•        If water is tenant-paid: establish Dallas Water Utilities account

•        Research internet providers available at the building; schedule installation before or on move-in day

•        Save all account numbers and provider contact information in one place

Getting ahead of utility setup before move-in turns a potentially stressful day into a smooth one. The Melody Parc leasing team is glad to answer questions about which utilities are covered and how to set up what you need -- just ask during your tour or application process.