How To Move-In, In New Orleans

Don’t Spend Your Birthday at the Sewage & Water Board(A true story. Don’t let it be yours.)

You bought your first home. You drove up, took a few pictures out front, and unlocked the door with your agent beside you. You did a quick walkthrough, admired the floors, maybe spun in a circle and said, “I can’t believe it’s mine.”

Then you went to fill up your water bottle from the fridge… and nothing came out.

Weird. You try the sink. Still nothing. That’s when it hits you: you didn’t have the water turned No problem, right? You call the utility office—only to find out it’s July 2nd. They're closed until the 6th.

This happened. To me.It was my first New Orleans home. My parents were flying in to help me settle in and celebrate my July 6th birthday. Instead, we spent three days using friends’ bathrooms and taking sympathy showers elsewhere. On my birthday morning, I sat in the waiting area of the Sewage and Water Board, sweaty and unshowered, clutching my act of sale.

Moral of the story? Plan. Ahead.

Your Move-In Utility Checklist (So You’re Not Showering Across Town)

💧 Water, Sewage & Trash – All in One Place

New Orleans is quirky—in this case, efficient. Water, sewage, and trash are all handled by the Sewage and Water Board, and all services are on a single bill. You’ll need to have title send your Act of Sale to get utilities turned on and follow up. Or you can show up in person with your act of sale to get things turned on too. There's no exceptions. This is the rule. Close. Paperwork. Water.

S&WB Address: 625 St. Joseph Street, New Orleans, LA 70165

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Pro tip: Ask the seller to keep services on until one BUSINESS day after closing. That way, you can take your time and avoid racing to the office—especially if you're closing on a Friday or holiday weekend (they observe a lot of holidays).

⚡ Electric & Gas – One Company, Private & Easy

Both electric and gas come through Entergy. Thankfully, you can transfer service by phone or online—no in-person trip required. You’ll get one bill for both, and meter readers have access to read most homes meters from the street without yard access, but not all.

Tip: If you are one of these homes that requires yard access, have locked gates or alleyways, consider providing a meter key or code so you don’t end up with a “we couldn’t access your meter” tag.

🌐 WiFi, Cable & Phone – You’ve Got Options

New Orleans has two main providers:

• Cox Communications – Offers cable, phone, and WiFi bundles. May be your only option in some areas.

• AT&T Fiber – If you’ve got access to fiber, grab it. It’s fast and solid. Otherwise, DirectTV is your satellite alternative.

Installation tip: Use the appointment to reroute wires and move equipment where you want it. Free customization—don’t skip it.

Other Services to Set Up Before Move-In

• 🔒 Security Systems: If the house already has one, find out the provider. If not, book a tech visit for install day.

• 🐜 Termite & Pest Control: We recommend both. Termite contracts are often sold in 5-year plans—ask if the seller has one you can continue.

• 🗝️ Locksmith: New house? New keys. Book your locksmith early.

• 🧰 Handyman / Electrician / Plumber: Need anything fixed, mounted, or rewired? Don’t wait until you're mid-move. We can recommend all of the above, painting too!

• 🌿 Yard Work: Schedule maintenance or landscaping ahead of your arrival so things feel ready.

• 🛡️ Insurance: You’ll need homeowner’s and flood insurance before closing. Shop around in advance and secure your binder early.

Last Thing: New Orleans Is Not Like Anywhere Else

From utilities to legal systems, buying here really is like stepping into a different world. But it’s your world now. That’s why we created this guide—to help you feel more prepared, more grounded, and a little more local the minute you move in.

If you’re still in the early stages of buying, ask all the questions. That’s what we’re here for.

And if you’re not already working with a real estate agent?

Book a consultation →We’ll get you sorted—before, during, and after closing.

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Voted Neighborhood Favorite by Nextdoor, Team Cool Murphy is a top-producing, licensed real estate team based in New Orleans, brokered by Cool Murphy, LLC.

Celebrated for her next-level creative approach to real estate, Elisa Cool Murphy is an award-winning, top-performing agent in New Orleans and the founder and leader of Cool Murphy, LLC.

You can learn more about her here.

Contact Her -

email: cool@coolmurphy.com

Facebook: @homeinneworleans

IG: @coolmurphynola

YouTube: @coolmurphynola

phone: 504-321-3194