Moving In and First Bills

Starting a new lease in student housing also means starting utility service. Below are answers to common questions about your first Conservice utility bill and what to expect.

When will I receive my first bill?
Your first utility statement will be emailed to you approximately 4–6 weeks after your lease start date.

How does my utility allowance work?
If your lease includes a utility allowance, this amount is applied to your portion of the utility charges each month.

• If your portion exceeds the allowance, you’ll receive a bill for the difference.
  Example: Allowance = $20 | Your portion = $32 → You’ll receive a bill for $12.
  
  
• If your portion is less than the allowance, you won’t receive a statement for that month.
  Example: Allowance = $20 | Your portion = $18 → No bill will be issued.

What is the annual fee on my first bill?
The annual fee covers administrative and billing services, overhead, and conservation programs. Rather than charging a monthly fee, this one-time charge appears at the beginning of each new school year.

What are vacant charges and why are they on my bill?
Vacant charges occur when utility service has not been placed in a resident’s name. If we receive a bill from the utility provider for your apartment and no one has set up service, we pay the charges and forward them to you along with a service fee. You can find more information about vacant charges here. 

Tip: If your lease requires you to place utilities—like electricity or internet—in your name, we recommend the following:

• Split the total evenly among all roommates.
  
  
• Assign one person to manage and pay the bill each month.
  
  
• Set a clear due date for everyone to send their share (ideally before the actual bill is due).
  
  
• Use a digital payment platform like Venmo or Zelle to streamline the process and ensure accountability.

Consistency and communication are key to avoiding billing issues and late fees.

Why is my bill different from my roommates’?
Each resident begins being billed for utilities when their lease starts. If your bill differs from your roommates’, it’s likely because their lease began on a different date, resulting in a different allocation of charges.

Related to

• Student Housing

October 02, 2025 21:11