Utilities Setup Checklist for New Hampshire Renters

Getting your utilities connected is a vital part of moving into a new rental home in New Hampshire. From knowing which services you’re responsible for, to understanding how to transfer or open new accounts, this guide helps new renters stay compliant with regulations, avoid service delays, and recognize their rights under state law.

Understanding Your Utilities Responsibilities as a New Renter

In New Hampshire, your lease agreement should clearly state which utilities you’re responsible for (such as electricity, heating, water, or trash pickup) and which are included in your rent. The most common utilities for renters include:

• Electricity – New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
• Natural Gas or Heating Oil
• Water and Sewer
• Trash Collection
• Internet and Cable

Before moving in, confirm with your landlord which services you must establish in your name. Landlords must also comply with all New Hampshire Residential Rental Laws for disclosure of utility arrangements.^[1]

Checklist: Setting Up Utilities for Your New Hampshire Rental

• Read your signed lease and note any included utilities and your obligations.
• Get a list of recommended service providers from your landlord or municipality.
• Contact utility companies (electric, gas, water) at least one week before move-in to start service in your name.
• If your building has separate meters, gather any required forms or documents, such as proof of residency or your lease.
• For any utility included in rent but with shared meters, ensure your lease specifies how costs are calculated, as required by RSA 540:9-b.
• Document the move-in meter readings and keep records or photos for reference, especially if you’ll eventually transfer utility responsibility.
• Ask landlords to provide you with official forms confirming habitability and safe operation of required systems if available (see below).

Official Forms and Documentation

• Move-In/Move-Out Condition Checklist (Form not standardized statewide)
  Many landlords use a condition checklist at move-in; while New Hampshire doesn’t require a state-specific form for utilities, this checklist can document meter readings and verify utility status. Ask your landlord for a copy or template.
• Complaint Filing: Tenant/Landlord Petition
  If you’re unable to obtain basic utilities after moving in (due to landlord inaction on essential services), you may file a complaint with the New Hampshire Circuit Court – District Division. See the Landlord-Tenant Petition Form (NHJB-2201-DP). Attach evidence like lease clauses and utility company correspondence.

Key Legal Protections for Renters and Utilities in New Hampshire

New Hampshire law requires landlords to ensure that the property is fit for occupancy and that all systems (such as heat and water) are operational at move-in. RSA 540:13-d sets basic habitability standards.^[2] If a landlord provides utilities, they cannot deliberately shut them off to force a tenant to leave ("self-help eviction"), as outlined here.^[3]

• If your utilities are disconnected through no fault of your own, notify your landlord in writing immediately and keep copies.
• If there’s a dispute or unresolved outage, contact the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Division.

What to Do If You Have Utility Problems

If you encounter issues getting water, heat, or electricity set up, communicate promptly with both your landlord and the relevant utility company. Chronic utility failures could make the unit uninhabitable under New Hampshire law, and you might have grounds to file a complaint or seek remedies through the courts.

• Document all correspondence and outage details.
• Submit the Landlord-Tenant Petition Form (NHJB-2201-DP) to the New Hampshire Circuit Court – District Division if necessary.

New Hampshire has no single "residential tenancies board," but most housing disputes are handled by the New Hampshire Circuit Court – District Division.

FAQ: Utilities Setup for New Hampshire Renters

1. What should I do if a utility isn't working when I move in?
   First, notify your landlord immediately and document the issue. If the problem isn't resolved, you may file a complaint with the New Hampshire Circuit Court using the Landlord-Tenant Petition Form.
2. Are landlords required to disclose all utility responsibilities in the lease?
   Yes, landlords must clearly outline each party's utility obligations and any cost-sharing for shared meters in the written lease under RSA 540:9-b.
3. Can my landlord turn off my utilities?
   No, New Hampshire law forbids landlords from willfully interrupting utility service to force a tenant to vacate. This is considered "self-help eviction" and is illegal.
4. What paperwork do I need to set up utilities in my name?
   Utility companies usually require proof of identity, a copy of your lease, and sometimes a deposit or service fee. Check with the provider for details.
5. Where do I go if I can't resolve a utility dispute with my landlord?
   The New Hampshire Circuit Court – District Division handles housing disputes, including utility problems.

Key Takeaways for New Hampshire Renters

• Know which utilities you must set up by reading your lease and talking to your landlord.
• Document all utility arrangements, meter readings, and keep receipts when you move in.
• If your utilities aren’t working or are improperly disconnected, you have legal protections—contact your landlord, utility, and consider court action if needed.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission – Consumer Assistance: Help with electric, gas, and water service issues.
• New Hampshire Circuit Court – District Division: Handles landlord-tenant and utility-related housing disputes.
• New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority – Renter Support: Housing and tenancy resources.
• NH Residential Rental Laws (RSA 540): Full legislative text on rental rights.

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1. New Hampshire Residential Rental Laws, RSA 540
2. RSA 540:13-d – Standards of Habitability
3. RSA 540:13-c – Unlawful Termination of Utilities

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