General Information

How Much Will It Cost?

Local Utility Companies

Gas & Electricity
There are no deposits required for gas or electricity and no turn on fees for gas before 3:30 PM on weekdays. The companies serving the Medford and Somerville communities are listed below and payment plan options are available on their website:

Oil
Many apartments near the Tufts community are heated by oil, and it may be your responsibility to have the oil burner filled. Ask your prospective landlord how your oil burner works, who fills it, and how frequently it should be filled. If it is your responsibility, ask your landlord to recommend an oil distributor. A helpful website in finding oil distributors is Massachusetts Oilheat Council.

Some oil distributors in the Medford/Somerville area are:

  • Arlington:
    • Arlington Fuel Oil Co. (781) 643-4630
    • Lyons Fuel Inc. (781) 648-0388
  • Boston:
    • Metro Energy (617) 268-4662
  • Cambridge:
    • Community Oil Co. (617) 864-7007
    • Hayes Oil Co. (617) 491-0300
  • Medford:
    • Erickson Fuel Co. (781) 395-0687
    • Banta Fuel Oil Co. (781) 395-8458
  • Somerville:
    • Faulkner Brothers Inc. (617) 625-8255

Telephone Service
Verizon, Inc. provides the telephone service for Boston. To order new service, change existing service, or inquire about billing and other concerns call 1-800-870-9999. When you call to arrange service, you will need to provide the complete street address for the rental unit and the name and telephone number of the previous occupant at your new address. You will be asked to choose the type of monthly service you want, as well as a primary long distance company for calls outside the Greater Metropolitan Boston calling area. You will also be asked to indicate how you would like your name to appear in the telephone directory. Consider listing only your first initial and last name, especially if you are a woman living alone. You may be asked about your previous telephone service, such as the telephone number and location, as well as credit information including the name of your employer and social security number.

Cable Companies

  Off-Campus Housing Resource Center, South Hall, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155  |  Tel: (617) 627-3248  |  Fax: (617) 627-3929  |  Email us