Moving Day Utilities Checklist—Complete Guide to Setting Up Electricity, Gas, and Water
To ensure electricity, gas, and water are ready on moving day, advance setup is essential. This practical checklist outlines the procedures, contact information, and important notes for activating each utility in chronological order.
To prevent situations where "the power won't turn on" or "there's no hot water" on moving day, plan utility setup well in advance. Electricity, gas, water, and internet are the four foundations of daily living. Since each requires different timing and procedures, it's important to begin organizing these tasks 1–2 weeks before your move.
Prepare the following information in advance: your current and new addresses, your moving dates (vacating old property and entering new one), customer account numbers (found on your current utility bills), and the account holder's name for the new residence. Simply compiling this information on a single sheet of paper will help all your procedures proceed smoothly.
Thanks to deregulation of the electricity market, you can choose from multiple providers in most areas. Setup is primarily done online or by phone, and no construction work is required—a key advantage.
Steps:
Notify your current electricity provider that you are relocating.
Submit a connection application to the electricity provider serving your new address (or your newly chosen provider).
Flip the main breaker on moving day to activate the service (in most cases).
A move is an ideal opportunity to switch electricity providers. Many new electric companies offer bundled discounts with gas or rebate plans that return a portion of your electricity charges as points. Before signing up, check whether providers serve your new area and compare rates with your current provider using their pricing simulators.
Important notes: Complete your connection application by one week before moving day to ensure electricity is ready on your arrival. Properties with smart meters typically require no technician visit for activation, but older buildings may require an in-person appointment. Your previous utility bill will contain your "customer account number" and "supply point identification number (22 digits)," which may be needed for the application—review your documents in advance.
Gas: The Only Utility Requiring an In-Person Visit
For safety reasons, a gas company technician must be present when your gas supply is activated. If you want hot water and cooking gas ready on moving day, booking the technician's visit in advance is essential.
Steps:
Contact your current gas provider to schedule closure of your service.
Reserve an activation appointment with the gas company serving your new address (confirm the date and time for the technician visit).
Be home on moving day at your reserved time so the technician can complete the activation.
Gas activation typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. The technician will check all burners and the water heater for proper operation, inspect for gas leaks, and only then authorize you to use the service. They may also explain how to operate your water heater, so don't hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.
Procedures differ for city gas and propane (LPG). City gas requires contacting your regional city gas company (such as Tokyo Gas or Osaka Gas), while propane contracts are determined by property and must be confirmed through your landlord or property management. With propane, you typically cannot choose your provider, so be aware of this limitation.
Important notes: Once your moving date is confirmed, book your gas company appointment as early as possible. During peak moving season (March–April and September), appointments may be available only 2+ weeks out. If the technician appointment doesn't happen by moving day, you'll have no hot water or cooking gas—so research nearby public baths and plan meal options in advance for peace of mind.
Water: Municipal Filing is the Key
Most municipalities manage water supply through their municipal water authority, and setup can be done by phone or online. Unlike gas, no technician visit is required, and service is usually available immediately after you file your paperwork.
Steps:
File a water service termination notice with your current municipality's water authority (provide your vacating date).
File a water service activation notice with your new municipality's water authority (provide your moving-in date).
Service is available from your moving-in date (some regions may require a technician to activate the meter).
If you forget to file a termination notice, you may continue to be charged the base fee after you vacate. Some municipalities automatically stop billing the day after you vacate, but always make a point of notifying them in advance to be safe.
Important notes: Your water authority is your municipal water bureau, though in some areas this may be contracted to private companies. You may be asked for your water meter number, so during your apartment viewing or key handover, note the meter's location and number—this will make your filing process smoother.
Internet: Plan Ahead—This Requires the Most Lead Time
Fiber optic internet requires installation work, so it typically takes 2–4 weeks from application to activation. If you need high-speed internet on moving day, apply at least one month in advance.
Steps:
Research and compare available internet providers and service plans for your new area.
Submit your application and reserve an installation date.
Be home during your installation appointment (typically 30 minutes to one hour).
Many apartment buildings now include free internet or have fiber optic infrastructure already installed. In these cases, you typically only need to sign up with a provider—no installation work is required—and you can save significantly on setup costs. Before signing a lease, ask the property management company whether internet facilities are available; this will help you avoid unexpected expenses. Note that standard fiber installation usually costs around ¥10,000, so factor this into your moving budget.
While waiting for installation: If setup takes longer than expected, you can temporarily use a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot or tether to your smartphone. Those who work from home should especially prioritize applying early.
Quick Reference Timeline
Starting from one month before your move and working backward is the key to a smooth transition.
Task
Recommended Timing
Technician Visit Required
Method
Internet application
1+ month before
Yes (installation)
Online
Gas (new residence activation reservation)
2–3 weeks before
Yes
Phone
Electricity (old residence disconnection)
2 weeks before
No
Online/Phone
Electricity (new residence connection)
1–2 weeks before
No (smart meter)
Online/Phone
Gas (old residence disconnection)
1–2 weeks before
Yes
Phone
Water (old residence termination)
1 week before
No
Online/Phone
Water (new residence activation)
1 week before
No
Online/Phone
Amid the chaos of moving, make utility setup a high priority. Gas activation—especially booking the technician appointment—carries the highest risk of missing the deadline during busy seasons. Proceed in order: internet → gas → electricity → water. Using this checklist and tackling each task systematically will set you up for a smooth and comfortable start in your new home.
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