• Introduction • Looking for a place • Moving in & money stuff • The legal situation • Living in a share house • Moving out (or being kicked out) • Share housing - the future • Glossary • Contact points • Extras • Acknowledgements / legal info • Site map • Downloads	• Introduction • Connection of services • Weekly expenses • Where to get help with money If you are setting up a place you will definitely have to pay for service connections. If you are moving into an already established flat, you may have to pay the outgoing tenant for their share of the connection fees. This will depend on the arrangements in the house. If you do have to pay, be sure to get receipts and ensure that the receipts specify what the payment is for. The following is an estimate of costs for connection of services in the Sydney area. Costs may vary in other parts of NSW. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Electricity Energy Australia - A $200 bond is required which will be refundable when you leave as long as you have no electricity bills owing. Integral Energy - A $180 bond is required - and you'll get the money back when you leave the place, as long as you have no electricity bills owing. You can ask for an extension of time to pay the deposit. AGL - If you connect your electricity with AGL there is no bond required. If you want to change from Energy Australia there is no charge, however if you are changing from Integral Energy there is a start off fee of $38.20. There may be extra charges if you want your electricity connected on the weekend or after 2 pm (weekdays) - check the price before you ask for electricity to be connected at these times. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Gas AGL - $100 bond (refundable) plus $22.45 establishment fee (non refundable). Again you can ask for an extension of time to pay the deposit. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Phone Telstra and Optus -If you are moving into a new house where a technician is required to install the line there is a $209 fee. A landlord is not required to pay for this cost (unless you were told that it was connected) as it not a basic requirement such as electricity. However you should try and negotiate with your Landlord to pay for all or part of this cost. Contact you local tenancy service if you are having problems negotiating with your landlord. (See Contact points). If there is a phone line already installed, then the connection will cost $59. As there are so many new options now available (call waiting, message bank, multiple numbers on the one line which can be billed separately) you are well advised to shop around - make sure you specify that you are seeking information for a share house though.