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FAQs- Utilities
How do I turn on utilities?
The Tenant(s) is responsible for placing all utilities in their name and pay all utility bills due for services to the premises for which the Tenant is responsible (unless otherwise agreed to in the lease). In order to establish what utilities you are responsible for, please review Page 1 of your lease and check the property page on our website. On the website, you will find a Utilities tab under Property Details that lists the contact information for each utility. If you have any questions regarding utilities, please reach out to your Portfolio Manager.
If you are a JMU student, we recommend contacting JMU’s Utility Deposit Assistance Program PRIOR to contacting utility companies.
Most utility providers will only put an account in one person’s name. Please work this out with your roommates.
What is JMU’s Utility Deposit Assistance Program?
UDAP is a JMU sponsored program in partnership with utility companies to allow students utility connection WITHOUT paying the varying deposit amounts of $350 for water/sewer, $200 for gas, or up to $600 for electric. This can only be purchased between April and July of your move in year. Only one tenant per unit needs to purchase the contract.
With the purchase of a UDAP contract, deposit fees for connecting water, gas, and electricity are reduced/eliminated. The amount limits are as follows:
-
- Gas: Up to $500
- Electric: Up to $350 with Harrisonburg Electric Commission; Up to $600 with Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
- Water: Up to $350
To be eligible to purchase a UDAP contract:
- You must be enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking, currently active JMU student.
- You must have no financial holds on your JMU account.
- You must be a student living off campus.
- You must have a JMU Email.
How long is the JMU UDAP Contract? When do I renew?
UDAP (Utility Deposit Assistance Program) contracts expire each year on July 31, 20XX. Upon expiration, UTILITIES WILL BE DISCONNECTED. You must renew your contract each year prior to this date in order to avoid a lapse in your utilities. UDAP expiring on July 31 does not result in your account being closed and you should renew rather than opening another account. However, you will be subject to an interruption of services if you do not renew on time.
Steps to take to renew:
- Contact JMU to renew your UDAP contract or to verify qualification; you may renew online at https://login.jmu.edu
- Once renewed, call or email the utilities companies with your new UDAP contract number and address.
- If you are a senior and/or no longer qualify for a UDAP contract with JMU and require utility services after July 31, 20XX please contact the appropriate departments to place a deposit to continue services.
UDAP has no authority to connect or disconnect your utilities. When you move out, be sure to call your utility companies and disconnect services in your name.
For questions or concerns please contact the Utilities Deposit Assistance Program:
MSC 4214
285 Warren Service Drive
Room 205 H-L
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Can I turn off my utilities if I move out early?
Per your lease, you are required to have your utilities on from the lease start date through the lease end date. Even if you move out early, you may not turn off your utilities prior to this lease end date. Doing so could cause appliance failures. If this is the case, you could be responsible for the replacement of those appliances. You may also be subjected to the reconnection of the utilities and a $50 per person utility reconnection fee.
If you are passing your unit down, communicate with the incoming tenants to make sure there is no disruption of service to the unit.
Can I turn off my heat during winter break to save money?
You should never turn your heat off completely in the winter, especially when you are away. Turning your heat off can cause your pipes to freeze and, in the end, will not save you money. You are responsible for maintaining an appropriate temperature in your apartment and frozen pipes could cost you thousands of dollars in damage.
You can save money by turning your heat down to no lower than 55 degrees, closing your blinds, and opening your cabinet doors around your bathroom and kitchen plumbing.
Utility Company Resources
Please note that utility providers will vary between properties. Contact your Property Manager to confirm your provider. Please find a list of providers below or see our Utilities page.
ELECTRICITY
Harrisonburg Electric Commission
Website: HarrisonburgElectric.com
Telephone: (540) 434-5361
Dominion Power
Website: DOM.com
Telephone: (866) 366-4357
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
Website: SVEC.coop
Telephone: (540) 434-2200
WATER & SEWER
Harrisonburg Water & Sewer
Website: HarrisonburgVA.gov/water
Telephone: (540) 434-9959
Rockingham Co. Public Works
Website: RockinghamCountyVA.gov
Telephone: (540) 564-3020
Staunton Public Works
Website: Staunton.va.us
Telephone: (540) 332-3892
Utility Billing Service
Website: WaterSystems.com
Telephone: (800) 366-0206
NATURAL GAS
Columbia Gas
Website: ColumbiaGasVA.com
Telephone: (800) 543-8911
TV & INTERNET
Comcast
Website: Comcast.com
Telephone: (888) 266-2278
Telephone: (855) 638-2855
Glo Fiber
Website: Glofiber.com
Telephone: (877) 492-6845
Verizon
Website: Verizon.com
Telephone: (800) 483-4000
RECYCLING
Harrisonburg Recycling Dept.
Website: HarrisonburgVA.gov/Trash
Telephone: (540) 434-5928
OIL
CL Cluster
Website: CLCuster.com
Telephone: (540) 434-8888
Rockingham Petroleum
Website: RockinghamPetroleum.com
Telephone: (540) 434-4321
Quarles Petroleum Inc
Website: QuarlesInc.com
Telephone: (540) 434-3434
TOW SERVICE
First Choice Towing
Address: 20 W Washington St. | Harrisonburg, Va 22802
Telephone: (540) 478-4869
