How Much Do Utilities Cost in a Vancouver Apartment?

In a Vancouver apartment, the main utility bill is usually BC Hydro electricity, billed every two months. Using BC Hydro’s residential rates from April 2025, an apartment using about 400 kWh a month pays roughly $55 to $60 a month for electricity including GST, rising to about $120 a month in winter if it’s heated with electric baseboards. Many older rental buildings include heat and hot water in the rent, while internet, tenant insurance and sometimes gas are extra.

What You Pay For, and Who Bills It

Utility	Provider	Usually included in apartment rent?
Electricity	BC Hydro	Usually not; billed to you every two months
Heat	Building boiler, or your own electric baseboards	Often in older rental buildings; not when heat is electric in your suite
Hot water	Building system or in-suite tank	Often in older buildings and many condos
Natural gas	FortisBC	Only applies if your suite has a gas stove, fireplace or furnace
Water, sewer and garbage	City, through the building	Almost always, in apartments
Internet	Your chosen provider	Rarely
Tenant insurance	Your insurer	No; many landlords require it

How a BC Hydro Bill Is Calculated

As of April 1, 2025, BC Hydro’s residential conservation rate had three parts:

• Basic charge: $0.2330 per day.
• Step 1: $0.1172 per kWh for the first 1,376 kWh in a roughly two-month (62-day) billing period.
• Step 2: $0.1408 per kWh above that.

GST of 5% is added. Rates usually change each April 1, so check BC Hydro’s current rates page for the latest figures.

Worked Examples

Apartment	Monthly use	Two-month bill (approx.)	Per month (approx.)
Studio or one-bedroom, heat included in rent	300 kWh	$70 + basic charge + GST ≈ $89	$45
One-bedroom, heat included	400 kWh	$94 + $14 + GST ≈ $113	$57
Two-bedroom, heat included	600 kWh	$141 + $14 + GST ≈ $162	$81
One-bedroom with electric baseboard heat, winter	900 kWh	$161 + $60 + $14 + GST ≈ $247	$123

These are worked from the April 2025 rates with a 61-day billing period. Your use depends on heating, the size of the suite, appliances and how you live; your landlord or the previous tenant can often tell you a typical bill.

Gas, Internet and Insurance

• Natural gas: only relevant if your suite has gas appliances. FortisBC bills a daily basic charge plus delivery and the gas itself. BC removed the consumer carbon tax on April 1, 2025, which lowered gas bills.
• Internet: prices vary widely by provider, speed and promotion. Check which providers serve the building before you sign.
• Tenant insurance: many landlords require it. Prices depend on coverage and the building.

How to Keep Utility Costs Down

• Ask what’s included before you sign; heat included makes the biggest difference in winter.
• Use a programmable thermostat or keep baseboards low in empty rooms.
• Run full loads in the dishwasher and laundry.
• Seal drafts around windows and doors in winter.

Setting Up Utilities When You Move

Open your BC Hydro account a week or two before move-in, book the internet install early, and confirm with your landlord which accounts are in your name. Then book your move: Tingsapp moves apartments across Vancouver at fixed upfront prices, with small moves from $79 and full home moves from $249. See Vancouver movers.

Sources

• BC Utilities Commission — residential electricity rates effective April 1, 2025 (bcuc.com), 2025
• BC Hydro — residential rates and billing (bchydro.com), 2026
• FortisBC — residential natural gas rates (fortisbc.com), 2026
• Province of BC — removal of the consumer carbon tax, April 1, 2025 (gov.bc.ca), 2025
• BC Residential Tenancy Branch — services and facilities included in rent (gov.bc.ca), 2026

Related guides

• What Utilities Are Usually Included in Vancouver Rent?
• How Much Income Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Vancouver?
• How to Find a Rental in Vancouver
• Moving to Vancouver: Housing, Transit and First Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is BC Hydro for a one-bedroom apartment in Vancouver?

At about 400 kWh a month and April 2025 rates, roughly $55 to $60 a month including GST. Electric baseboard heat can double that in winter.

Is heat included in Vancouver rent?

Often in older rental buildings with a central boiler. In suites with electric baseboards, heat is part of your BC Hydro bill.

How often does BC Hydro bill?

Every two months for most residential customers, with an option for equal monthly payments.

Do I need gas service in a Vancouver apartment?

Only if your suite has gas appliances such as a stove or fireplace. Many apartments are all-electric.

Are water and garbage extra in Vancouver apartments?

Almost never for apartment renters; they’re usually covered by the building.

When should I set up BC Hydro for a new apartment?

A week or two before your move-in date, so the account starts on the right day.