Everything asks for
something you do not have yet
The utility wants a credit file, the bank wants an address, the phone contract wants a Social Security number. There is an order that works, and it starts before you land.
Before you read on
- Providers, prices and deposit policies change. Figures are indicative for the New York area in 2026.
- Reinvent NY does not open accounts on a client's behalf. We tell you the order and what each provider will ask for.
Step 1The order that unlocks everything else
Each step exists because the next one requires it. Doing them out of order is what costs people a fortnight.
| Order | What | Needs | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signed lease or deed | The apartment | — |
| 2 | US mailing address | The lease | Immediate |
| 3 | US bank account | Passport, address, sometimes an SSN | Same day in branch |
| 4 | Mobile phone number | Passport and a US address; prepaid needs no credit check | Same day |
| 5 | Electricity and gas | Address, US phone, bank account | 1–5 business days |
| 6 | Internet | Address and a phone number | 3–14 days for an engineer |
| 7 | Renter's or homeowner's insurance | Address; often required by the lease | Same day online |
| 8 | Social Security number or ITIN | Work authorisation, or a tax filing need | 2–6 weeks |
| 9 | Credit card | SSN or ITIN and a bank relationship | After the number arrives |
| 10 | Driving licence | Proof of residency, immigration documents | Weeks; appointment-led |
Steps 3 and 4 are the bottleneck. Both can be started on the day you arrive, and neither should wait for the moving van.
Step 2What each utility costs
Most of New York City is served by one utility, so there is no shopping around for supply. A studio or one-bedroom runs roughly $60–$150 a month, considerably more in summer with air conditioning. Without a credit file expect a deposit of one to two months, refunded after a year of on-time payment.
$50–$100 a month for a household connection. Availability is decided building by building, so check the address rather than the neighbourhood. Book installation the week you sign the lease — appointments run one to two weeks out and longer at the start of September.
$30–$60 a month. A postpaid contract requires a credit check; prepaid does not and can be converted later. Get a US number before you need it for every other application.
In most New York rentals these are the landlord's cost and are included in the rent. In condominiums and houses they are yours. Confirm which before comparing two apartments on rent alone.
Step 3The two that take longer than planned
The first is internet installation in older buildings. Where the building has no existing fibre, the provider needs the managing agent’s consent to run a line, and that can add weeks. Ask what service the previous occupant had — it is the fastest reliable answer — and if you work from home, treat it as a condition of the apartment rather than an afterthought.
The second is the Social Security number, which cannot be applied for until you are physically present and, in most cases, work-authorised. Two to six weeks is normal and the card arrives by post. Everything that depends on a credit file waits behind it, which is the argument for opening the bank account on a passport in week one rather than waiting.
Step 4Practicalities nobody mentions
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Moving day | Buildings restrict moves to weekday business hours and require a certificate of insurance from the mover, plus a refundable deposit. Book with the managing agent weeks ahead. |
| Voltage | The US runs 120V at 60Hz. Appliances brought from Japan or Europe need more than a plug adapter, and most are cheaper to replace than to ship. |
| Post | Mail forwarding is arranged through the postal service and takes days to take effect. Packages left in a lobby go missing; use a building with a package room or a locker service. |
| Air conditioning | Window units are common and many buildings restrict installation to a specific bracket and season. Check before buying one. |
| Rubbish and recycling | Set-out times and separation rules are enforced by the city with fines to the building, which passes them on. Ask the superintendent on day one. |
| Superintendent | In most residential buildings the super is the person who actually fixes things. Introduce yourself early; it is worth more than any maintenance clause. |
You can open the account by phone once you have the lease and a US number, with service starting on the move-in date. The deposit question is easier to resolve in advance than on the day.
No credit file means no history for the utility to price against. It is refunded, with interest in some cases, after twelve months of on-time payment.
Rarely, and only in some new buildings with a bulk contract. Heat and hot water usually are; electricity, gas and internet usually are not.
Cable is generally available and adequate. Where neither exists, fixed wireless from a mobile carrier is the fallback. Establish this before signing if you work from home.
Automatic payment from a US checking account is the norm and avoids the late fees that build quickly. Set it up as each account opens rather than in a batch later.
Let’s talk first
Tell us your arrival date and the address, and we will give you the order to work through and what each provider will ask for.
RELATED GUIDES
Recent transactions
A sample of the sales, purchases and rentals we acted on in 2025 and 2026.
Real estate brokerage services are provided through R New York.
Important notice
The figures on this page are general information as of August 2026 and do not represent an offer, a quote, or a guarantee of any transaction terms. Reinvent NY does not provide legal, tax, or investment advice. Confirm anything material with an attorney and a CPA before you act on it. Nothing here is a solicitation to invest, and no return is promised. Real estate brokerage services are provided through R New York.