Start before closing day
Many accounts can be opened online with a start date one to three business days out. Confirm the timing with each provider and keep the written confirmation.
- The exact legal service address from your closing documents, unit number and gate details included
- Your move-in date, government ID, phone, email and a payment method
- Your closing disclosure or other proof of ownership or occupancy
Electricity with NV Energy
Request electricity first: the AC, fridge, lights, garage door and security system all depend on it. Start or transfer service through NV Energy and match the date to when you take possession. A lit thermostat doesn't prove the account is in your name, so photograph the meter on move-in day.
Cooling can be the biggest share of a desert electric bill. After the first cycle, compare usage with your thermostat settings and filter condition, and ask about time-of-use plans. Buying a home with solar? Get the ownership or lease documents from the seller and ask the provider about transfer steps before closing.
Natural gas and water
Southwest Gas serves most of the valley, but confirm availability by address. Gas may run the furnace, range, dryer, fireplace or water heater, and an adult may need to be home with the appliances and shutoffs accessible. Never restore service or relight pilots yourself.
The Las Vegas Valley Water District serves more than 1.7 million people across metro Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own utilities, and sewer may be billed separately.
Trash, recycling and sewer
Trash may come through your city, your community, your HOA or a contractor such as Republic Services.
- Pickup days and container delivery
- Recycling and bulk pickup rules
- Whether the account has to be transferred into your name
- Where containers go: alley, curb or a shared area
Find the sewer cleanouts and keep them accessible. Grease, wipes (even flushable ones), paint and construction debris stay out of the drains.
Internet and home connectivity
Fiber, cable and fixed wireless coverage can change street by street. Book installation early if you need work, school, cameras or a smart thermostat online on day one, since slots can be scarce and an adult may need to be home.
Compare the total monthly cost, equipment fees, upload speed, contract terms and installation needs. Look for a leftover modem, fiber terminal, coax or Ethernet panel, and leave mounted equipment in place until the new provider identifies it.
First-month utility mistakes to avoid
- Assuming utilities transfer automatically. Each provider has to confirm your name, address and start date
- Programming irrigation before checking for leaks and reviewing watering restrictions
- Putting off the AC, when dust, heat and clogged filters all raise summer usage
- Budgeting from the previous owner's bills, which reflect a different household
In week one, confirm every service, photograph the meters and test every login. Keep contacts, confirmations, meter photos and warranties together in one folder.