First, there are a few things you should know about utilities.

Whatever you use at your home probably has a utility payment behind it. Whether you’re flipping a light switch, turning on your stove, or washing your hands, you’re going to end up paying for it later. There are a number of utility providers that monitor your usage of things like electricity, water, or gas, and then charge you for the amount you use.

Some utilities, such as cable and internet, are paid for ahead of time at a fixed rate. Most utilities, though, are paid for after usage. Even if an electric provider offers a fixed rate, you’ll be paying a different amount each month, depending on how much electricity you use (the ‘’fixed’’ part refers to what you’re charged per kilowatt-hour, not your total bill).

To use utilities, you have to set them up in someone’s name.

To turn on a utility, you need to contact the provider ahead of time to sign up for usage. Utility providers will ask for your name and information before they’ll start up a utility at your place. It doesn’t matter whose name is on a utility. Ultimately, that person will be responsible for payment, but each utility bill applies to the whole residence. Different roommates can have different utilities in their name, and the whole house will be good to go. Only one person needs to sign up for each utility.

Remember that utilities take some time to be set up! It could take up to a week before your gas or electricity can be turned on, so get utilities set up in advance.