Utilities, Internet and Laundry on a Month-to-Month Stay
On the first of the month, a bill for electricity arrived.
Picture a man named Morris, 73, a retired bus mechanic and a widower. He rents a furnished apartment in a city abroad, one month at a time. His daughter calls every Sunday on video. His wife's recipe for noodle pudding is taped inside the kitchen cabinet.
The rent was clear. The bills were not.
In his second week the Sunday call froze in the middle of his granddaughter's sentence. He moved to the window. He moved to the hallway. His daughter's face came back for a moment and then went away again.
On the first of the month, a bill for electricity arrived. It was higher than he had guessed. He had run the air conditioner all day, as he would have at home.
Morris did not blame the landlord. The listing had said "furnished" and "utilities may be extra," and he had read the word "may" as "are not." The landlord thought the usual arrangement was clear. Morris thought the bills came with the rent. Each had read the same words in a different way.
So he sat down with a pencil and made a list for his next stay.
| Ask before you sign | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is electricity included, or billed? | Heating or cooling may be most of the bill |
| Water and gas: included or extra? | They are often billed separately |
| Internet: who pays, and how fast? | A video call needs a steady connection |
| Washing machine: in the unit, shared, or at a shop nearby? Is there a dryer? | Some places have a washer and no dryer |
| Cleaning: included, or a fee at the end? | Fees on short stays are often US$50 to US$150 |
| Deposit: how many months? | Often one to two months of rent |
The next apartment came through an agent.
"Is the electricity in the rent?" Morris asked.
"Billed on top, month by month," she said. She showed him the last three bills. He also stood at the front door and ran a speed test on his phone. The numbers looked fine, so he signed.
You could…
- Ask for one flat monthly price that covers everything, and compare it with the separate costs.
- Run a speed test on your phone before you sign, and ask the landlord if you may.
- Ask about the washer and dryer, and where the nearest laundry shop is.
What did you find out about your last rental only after you moved in? Write it below. A reader about to move could save a month of frustration by asking that earlier.
Figures are estimates for planning, based on public data.
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