Signing up for garbage removal and utility service is one of the first things you’ll need to do after you establish that move-in date.  Contacting these providers at least a week ahead of move-in is suggested and it’s important to know the rules some of these services have too.

Water, Sewer, Garbage and Recycling services:

Garbage Do’s AND Don’ts

Iowa City ordinances describe the kind of containers that may be used for storing garbage, where it can be stored, and when it can be picked up from the curb.

• If garbage and recycling are not properly bagged at the curb, they will not be picked up.
• If garbage is left at the curb for longer than a day, the City may remove the waste and bill the property owner. If you are responsible for moving trash or recycle bins for your rental unit, your landlord may deduct this fine from your security deposit.

Garbage by the bag: If your apartment relies on City trash removal, do not store loose trash in your outdoor garbage can. All trash should be bagged first and then deposited in the can. This makes sense since loose garbage is more likely to spill and blow around making it harder for City workers to do their job and keep the neighborhood clean.

Trash becomes a major issue when renters are moving in and out. Old ironing boards, broken TVs, worn out chairs and other items accumulate in huge piles along the curbs in many neighborhoods, especially in August. Believe it or not, the garbage haulers won't just pick up any old heap of trash left on the curb. If trash is not in a garbage bag or properly sorted in a recycling bin, it is not going anywhere without an additional charge. This means the City will charge your landlord and your landlord may deduct the charge from your security deposit. That heap of junk that you were too tired to recycle, bag up, or donate to Goodwill may cost you $250 or more.

Cable & High Speed Internet

If it is not part of your rent, cable and Internet service can be set up by calling Mediacom at 1-800-332-0245. Mediacom is available on the web.

Electricity and Gas

Electricity and gas are provided by MidAmerican Energy 888-427-5632.
You can set up an account online.

Depending on how cold it gets your energy rates may jump dramatically during winter months. If you want to even out your energy bills so that you are paying a predictable amount each month, ask about MidAmerican's "budget plan."

Telephone

Local telephone service can be set up through one of these companies:

McLeod at 800-214-9444
Qwest at 800-244-1111
South Slope at 621-2211

Snow Removal / Grass

If your new off-campus living arrangement is a rooming house or duplex or house with roommates, you’ll need to know who is responsible for shoveling the snow and mowing the grass.
If you are responsible for snow, ice removal or mowing, be sure to take care of this in a prompt manner. It's also a good idea to find out whether your landlord provides a shovel, salt or ice remover or a lawn mower before you have need of them.

• Snow or ice must be removed from the entire width of all sidewalks within twenty-four (24) hours.
• If snow or ice is left on the sidewalk for more than 24 hours, it may be removed by the City and a bill will be sent to the property owner. There is a $50 administrative fee along with the fee paid to the contractor for the removal of the snow/ice that will be billed to the property owner.  Again, this cost will be passed on to you.
• Repeat offenders may face additional fees.
• Snow and ice removed from sidewalks, driveways, or private property should NOT be deposited onto the street (in the public right-of-way).  

• Grass cannot be any taller than 14”.  It’s a lot easier to mow when it’s less than 6” - just something to keep in mind!  If it gets longer, the City may have it mowed and send the bill to the property owner who may, again, pass this cost on to you!  If the City hires someone to mow it, they will assess a $50 administrative fee along with the fee paid to the contractor.