The single most common move-in surprise for new Richmond renters is discovering that “the utility company” is actually three or four separate organizations, and which ones you deal with depends on which side of a city line your new address sits on. Sort this out a week or two before you get the keys and your first night in the house has lights, hot water, and working internet.
Quick Answer
In the City of Richmond, electricity comes from Dominion Energy and water, wastewater, natural gas, and stormwater are handled by the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. In Henrico and Chesterfield, electricity is still Dominion, but water and sewer are run by the county’s own utilities department. Start accounts about one to two weeks before your lease begins, and expect to provide your lease, a photo ID, and your move-in date.
Who Provides What
Richmond is unusual in that the city itself runs a natural gas utility alongside water and wastewater. Electricity is the one constant across the region.
| Service | City of Richmond | Henrico County | Chesterfield County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Dominion Energy | Dominion Energy | Dominion Energy |
| Water and wastewater | City of Richmond DPU | Henrico County utilities department | Chesterfield County utilities department |
| Natural gas | City of Richmond DPU (Richmond Gas Works) | Varies by address; some areas are served by Richmond’s gas system | Varies by address; some areas are served by Richmond’s gas system |
| Stormwater | Billed by the city | Handled at the county level | Handled at the county level |
| Trash and recycling | City collection service | County program or private hauler depending on the address | County program or private hauler depending on the address |
| Internet and TV | Multiple private providers, varies by street | Multiple private providers, varies by street | Multiple private providers, varies by street |
Because gas service territory does not follow jurisdiction lines cleanly, do not assume. Confirm the gas provider for your specific address before move-in day. Official information for each jurisdiction lives at rva.gov, henrico.us, and chesterfield.gov.
Figure Out Which Jurisdiction You Are In
This is the step people skip. A Richmond mailing address does not always mean you live inside city limits. Large stretches of Henrico and Chesterfield carry Richmond ZIP codes, and neighborhoods along the borders can be genuinely confusing. Some rough orientation:
- Neighborhoods like the Fan, Church Hill, Northside, Manchester, and Scott’s Addition are inside the city.
- Short Pump, Glen Allen, Lakeside, Highland Springs, and Varina are Henrico.
- Midlothian, Bon Air, Chester, and much of the Midlothian Turnpike corridor south and west of the city are Chesterfield.
- The James River is not the city-county boundary. Richmond includes neighborhoods on both banks.
Your lease will state the jurisdiction, and your property manager can confirm it in one message. Our City of Richmond and Henrico County pages cover what is different about renting in each.
A Practical Timeline
- Two weeks out: Confirm from your lease which utilities you are responsible for. In some rentals water or trash is included in rent; in others everything is on you.
- Ten days out: Open the electric account with Dominion Energy using your service address and lease start date. This is usually the fastest one to set up.
- Ten days out: Start water, wastewater, and gas with the city or county utility that serves your address. New accounts may require a deposit depending on the provider and your credit history, so ask what applies to you rather than guessing.
- One week out: Schedule internet installation. This is the item most likely to require a technician appointment, and appointment windows fill up around the first and last weekend of the month when everyone else is moving.
- Move-in day: Test everything. Flip breakers, run hot water, light a burner, check that HVAC responds at the thermostat. Report problems immediately and in writing.
- First bill: Verify the service start date matches your lease start date. Billing that starts early is easier to fix in week one than in month three.
What You Will Need to Open an Account
Requirements differ by provider, but plan to have a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number or an alternate identifier, a signed copy of your lease, the exact service address including unit number, your lease start date, and a contact phone and email. Some providers charge a new-account or connection fee and some require a deposit that is refunded or credited after a period of on-time payment. Ask each provider directly what your specific deposit and fee will be. Anyone quoting you a flat number without looking at your address and account history is guessing.
Budgeting Without Guessing
Richmond summers are hot and humid, and cooling costs in July and August look nothing like April. Older houses in near-city neighborhoods often have original windows, limited insulation, and window units instead of central air, which widens that seasonal swing further. Rather than budgeting off one month’s bill, ask the property manager or the utility whether usage history is available for the address, and set aside more than you think you need for the first summer and the first cold snap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to set up utilities before I get the keys?
Yes. Schedule service to start on your lease start date, not after. Arriving at a dark house with no water is a common and avoidable move-in problem.
Who handles water if I rent in Henrico or Chesterfield?
The county’s own utilities department, not the City of Richmond. This is the most frequent mix-up for renters moving from the city out to the counties or the reverse.
Is natural gas available at every address?
No. Plenty of homes in the region are all-electric, often with a heat pump. Check your lease and ask the property manager what fuel the heat and water heater use.
Will I owe a deposit?
It depends on the provider and your account history. Ask each utility directly. We do not quote deposit amounts because they vary and they change.
What if the power is still on when I move in?
Do not assume it is included. Contact the provider and put the account in your name effective on your lease start date so you are not billed for someone else’s usage or shut off unexpectedly.
Are utilities ever included in the rent?
Sometimes, especially in smaller multi-unit buildings where water or trash is shared. Your lease is the authority. Read the utilities clause before you sign.
Looking for your next place first? Browse our available Richmond rentals, and if you have questions about what a specific property includes, get in touch with our team and we will tell you exactly which utilities you would be responsible for.
