We can help you with a complete list of tasks when it comes to utility providers

Moving into your own home is a special moment, a mix of excitement, exhaustion, and 1001 details that need to be taken care of. You bring your boxes, sofa, plants, but you realize that the move doesn’t end with the transport. On the contrary, it’s just beginning.

If you want to avoid unnecessary stress and have everything under control, we have prepared a complete list of what you need to know, pay, and do immediately after moving into your home.

To-do list for new homeowners

Don’t assume that everything will fall into place on its own. Whether you are the first owner or have moved into a house that has been lived in before, there are a few things you need to take care of:

• Organize all your documents in a folder (physical or digital).
• Make a list of priorities for what still needs to be bought or repaired (from a mop to changing the lock or bleeding the radiators).
• Submit your tax return to the city hall: you must announce that you are the new owner and register for property and land tax.
• Purchase compulsory home insurance (PAD): this is not just a formality, but a mandatory and essential protection in case of fire, flooding, etc.
• Technical checks: central heating, gas installation, or electrical system.
• Contact the homeowners’ association to have your details registered for that apartment.
• Check contracts with utility providers. Read the meters when you move in (ideally, take a photo) to ensure you only pay for what you consume.
• Add all suppliers to Pago so you don’t miss any bills.

How to manage your utility contracts

• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Water and sewer
• Sanitation (garbage)
• Internet, telephone, and TV

Electricity contract

Check your current supplier or what offers are available from other suppliers. There are several electricity providers to choose from: PPC, E.ON, Electrica, Hidroelectrica, Nova, Restart Energy, Delgaz Grid, and many others.

If you are moving into a new building, it is possible that construction site power, i.e., a temporary form of power supply, is active at that time. In this case:

• You must request final connection to the distribution network as a natural person, in your name.
• You will need the installation file (project, permits, acceptance report) and the connection certificate issued by the local distributor.
• After approval, an individual meter will be installed, and you will be able to sign a definitive contract with the supplier of your choice.

If you are not the first owner, check the steps for transferring the contract directly to the supplier of your choice. Most have simplified and digitized the process, so you only need to follow a few steps on their website.

Natural gas contract

Depending on the area, there is most likely already a contract in place with a natural gas supplier, for example: Engie, E.ON, Premier Energy, Gaz Vest, or others.

However, if you are the first owner or the connection has already been disconnected, you will need to request a new contract.

For new constructions or in the case of a reconnection, you need to follow a few steps:

• Obtain the technical connection approval from the local distributor (Transgaz, Distrigaz Sud, etc.).
• The interior installation must be carried out by an ANRE-authorized company.
• After the work is completed, the installation is checked and a report is drawn up.
• Then comes the commissioning and conclusion of the contract with the chosen supplier.

If you are not the first landlord, things are simpler. You just need to complete the steps to transfer the contract to your name.

Contract for water and sewerage

In the case of water and sewerage services, things are a little simpler than with electricity or gas, in the sense that you do not have to choose between several suppliers, but work directly with the local operator designated for your area. For example:

• Bucharest – Apa Nova
• Timiș – AQUATIM
• Constanța – RAJA
• Brașov – Compania Apa
• Cluj – Compania de apă Someș
• Iași – Apavital
• Bihor – Compania de apă Oradea
• Prahova – HidroPrahova

*The complete list of suppliers is available in the application.

If you don’t know who the supplier is, the easiest thing to do is to ask the building or neighborhood administrator (if you have purchased a home in a new development) or your neighbors directly. In most cases, the developer or homeowners’ association has a framework agreement with the operator and can provide you with all the necessary details.

Contract for Sanitation (garbage)

Sanitation is generally a service contracted by the city hall to a private company (examples of garbage/sanitation providers – RETIM, Rosal, Brai-Cata, RER, Urban, Polaris, etc.). Therefore, you will not find a national company, but a local operator, which varies from area to area.

To find out who is responsible in your area, check the city hall or local council website or go directly to the city hall. Also, find out about selective waste collection in your area.

If you have moved into a home where there is no existing sanitation contract:

• you must go to the town hall or the operator’s office with the title deed and your ID card
• fill out an application to conclude the contract
• receive the bin

In some cities, a flat-rate sanitation fee is charged, meaning it is automatically collected by the city hall without the need for a separate contract. However, even in this case, you must go and request the collection of bins, otherwise you will pay without receiving the service.

Contract for Internet, telephone, and cable TV

If you want to enjoy the internet as soon as you move in, it is essential to schedule the installation in advance. Although it seems like a simple step, there are some important details that can influence the duration and success of the installation, especially in newly developed areas or in houses.

In Romania, the best-known providers are Digi (RCS-RDS), Orange, and Vodafone.

However, not all of them have complete coverage, especially in new residential neighborhoods or in towns near cities. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with them:

• if they have a fiber optic network installed on the street
• if there is a free port in the distribution panel in the area
• if the installation can be done quickly or requires additional work

Keep in mind that installers are not always available on site, and during busy periods (fall, early spring, promotional periods), it can take 7-10 days for a team to come to your home.

In some cases, especially if you live in a house, the provider must run the cable to your yard (which may require additional agreements or work).

How to pay your bills and avoid penalties

Once you have all your contracts active and start receiving bills, you have several payment options:

• At the provider’s office: classic, but more time-consuming.
• Through the provider’s mobile app: many providers have dedicated apps.
• Through Pago: the simplest and fastest option. With the Pago app, you add your providers once, receive your bills automatically, and pay them all on time. You also have a history, notifications, and can pay for multiple services in one place (including water, gas, internet, car insurance, taxes, etc.).

Congratulations on moving into your own home, it’s an important milestone in adult life! It’s a dream for many, but it comes with a serious dose of responsibility and planning. If you check off everything above, you’ll be able to enjoy that first moment of peace, when you drink your coffee at home, knowing that you have everything under control.

Bonus tip: Use Pago for bills, taxes, and other household expenses. It will save you time and money in the long run.