Save energy, water and money
Choosing a Rental Property
ARE UTILITIES INCLUDED?
Depending on the type of rental – be it a house, condo or apartment – all or a portion of the utilities may be included in the rent. When choosing a rental property, be sure to ask the landlord which of the following utilities are included:
- Electricity
- Internet
- Natural gas or propane
- Telephone
- TV (cable/satellite)
- Water/wastewater
If utilities are included, you may also ask how much of these costs are built into the rent so you can better compare properties.
Other Things to Consider
These tools may be helpful in comparing options and determining the total costs of a rental property.
- Energy-efficiency: ToolsforTenants allows users to compare many of the apartment complexes in the Gainesville area based on average electricity and natural gas usage. Properties that have utilities included in the rent or do not have individually metered rental units are not currently available for comparison.
- Utility bill history: GRU can provide utility bill history and electric, natural gas, water and wastewater usage for individually metered rental properties. To find out a property's usage history, submit an online request. Be sure to select "General Inquiry" from the subject drop-down menu and include the property's physical address in the message field.
- On-site inspection: Use the energy and water efficiency checklist to inspect a property for energy and water efficiency.
- High-speed Internet: GATOR NET Fiber Optic Internet is offered as an amenity at dozens of rental communities in Gainesville. Find a GATOR NET property near you.
Lower Your Utility Bill
Here are a few additional online resources that may be able to help you understand and control your utility use.