By Callie Lyons

Athens NEWS Special Projects Contributor

Article is reprinted with permission - written with a renter audience in mind, but applies to all!

First-time renters may feel overwhelmed by all they need to  do to get a household in order, but consumer’s advocates say setting utility service doesn’t have to be difficult when new tenants know what to expect.

“First- time renters naturally have some challenges,” said Sylvia Lanman, property manager for Riverpark Towers. Often young consumers may be unfamiliar with requirements for signing up for utilities like electric and natural gas service. It’s important, she said, for young renters to understand their rights and responsibilities before they enter into legally binding agreements. A little guidance and advice from a parent or knowledgeable friend can help, Lanman suggested.

Ohio has two agencies that help consumers get connected with utilities.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio regulates utility companies and the Ohio Consumers’ Council serves an advocacy role. Both agencies offer Web sites that can help residents identify the utility companies serving their new address. Once a provider has been selected, the request for service begins with a phone call to the company of choice.

An electric company is required to turn on service within three days of the request, provided their sign –up criteria has been met. Even so, the Ohio Consumer’s Council says it is a good idea to call ahead for service, two to four weeks ahead if possible, to allow time for any inspections that may be necessary before service can be connected. Similarly, the OCC says try to give the gas company at least a week to 10 days before service is needed.

When ready to order service, a consumer needs to provide some basic information including name, the new service address, and a phone number. The company may request additional information like Social Security number, driver’s license, date of birth and place of employment in order to verify credit status. If credit cannot be established, the renter may be asked to pay a deposit of no more than one month’s charges plus 30 percent.

The Consumers’ Council says upon sign- up, the utility company should be able to tell the consumer the average monthly charges based on the previous tenant’s history. A customer service representative can also explain the billing cycle – when bills are received and when payments are due.

The process for signing up for natural gas is very much the same, but selecting a supplier requires a bit more research.

Athens County has six providers for electricity, determined by the service address. They include: Buckeye Rural Electric Association, Glouster Municipal, Monongahela Power, Ohio Power, Washington Rural Electric and Columbus Southern Power. The latter company, like Ohio Power a subsidiary of AEP Ohio, serves the city of Athens and most of the county.

Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers natural gas to consumers in Athens. But, customers of Columbia Gas can order natural gas supplies from any number of providers to be delivered through the company’s distribution lines.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio provides comparison worksheets to assist consumers win selecting the best deal to meet their needs. Both fixed and variable rate plans are available for those who wish to choose a supplier. Some people wan t the security of a fixed rate, while others hope to do better with a rate that reflects the current market price of natural gas. Consumers who do not choose an alternative natural - gas provider receives supplies from the distribution company and their rates are regulated by the PUCO.

Depending on the rental agreement, tenants may be responsible not only for electric and gas, but also for water, trash, cable and telephone service. Property managers and landlords can help identify providers. The PUCO also offers a free service online where renters can type in an Ohio street address and receive a complete list of utility companies serving the particular neighborhood. Once service has been established, the OCC takes complaints about utility companies and helps consumers navigate negotiations over bills, charges, and problems.

On the Web:

Ohio Consumers’ Council: www.pickocc.org

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio: www.puco.ohio.gov

Electricity

Report Outages to the utility company. Electric companies must make reasonable efforts to read meters every month, but they must take one actual meter reading every 12 months. Electric companies are required to test the meter at your request. If you require electric service for a medical condition, you may need to fill out a form to the let the company knows.

Natural Gas

Become familiar with the signs of a natural gas leak and report concerns. If you smell a rotten egg odor or hear the hiss of a leak, leave the house immediately and call 911. Install a carbon monoxide detector. Never use an oven to heat a house or apartment.

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