Update: September 23, 2026
AI Summary
This article outlines the procedures for transferring or taking over electricity, gas, and water accounts when moving into a new home. It covers the application methods, required documents, processing times, deposits, relevant forms, and meter-reading precautions for CLP Power, HK Electric, Hong Kong and China Gas, and the Water Supplies Department. Requirements may vary depending on the account status and property circumstances. Always refer to the latest official information before submitting an application.
Moving into a new home involves more than handling the tenancy agreement, sale and purchase contract, renovations, and household items. Electricity, gas, and water accounts should also be arranged as early as possible. If the effective date is not confirmed before completion or handover, disputes may arise over bill apportionment, deposit refunds, or reconnection of supply. The safest approach is to prepare identification and the tenancy agreement or sale and purchase contract before handover, confirm the relevant suppliers, and photograph the electricity, gas, and water meter readings on the handover date.
Understand Electricity, Gas, and Water Account Transfers in One Minute
- Service Supplier / Organisation Common application methods General processing time Main points to note
- Electricity CLP Power CLP One account or official website Generally around 3 working days for approval Identification and the tenancy agreement / sale and purchase contract are required
Electricity HK Electric App, online form, post, or customer centre Recommended to apply one working day in advance Deposit is approximately equal to 60 days of estimated electricity consumption - Gas Hong Kong and China Gas Online customer centre or customer centre Depends on the application method and documents Deposit for private residential premises is generally HK$600
Water Water Supplies Department Online, telephone, in person, post, fax, or email Approximately 15 minutes to 7 working days Select WWO 1, WWO 1145, or WWO 542 according to the circumstances - The above describes general situations. If electricity, gas, or water needs to be reconnected, the processing time and fees may increase.
Five Things to Do Before Moving In
1. Confirm which company supplies electricity to the property
Hong Kong’s electricity supply is mainly divided between CLP Power and HK Electric. CLP Power primarily serves Kowloon, the New Territories, and some outlying islands, while HK Electric mainly serves Hong Kong Island, Lamma Island, and nearby areas. Do not estimate the supplier solely based on the property’s location. Before handover, check the previous bill or confirm the supplier with the estate agent.
2. Confirm the effective date of the account
The effective date of the account transfer affects the apportionment of charges between the previous and new users. Generally, the tenancy commencement date, completion date, or handover date agreed by both parties should be used as the reference. The date should be clearly stated on the application form.
3. Record the meter readings on the handover date
On the effective date of the electricity, gas, and water accounts, photograph the meters, meter numbers, and readings. Keep the photographs with their capture dates, together with the tenancy agreement, sale and purchase contract, and application-confirmation emails.
4. Prepare the application documents
You will normally need identification documents and a complete tenancy agreement, provisional sale and purchase agreement, or formal sale and purchase agreement. Different organisations may request supplementary documents, so you should not prepare only one type of document.
5. Keep records of the applications
After completing an online application, save the application number, confirmation text message, confirmation email, and submitted documents. If a dispute later arises over the effective date or billing, these records can help verify the application details.
CLP Power Account-Transfer Procedure
Applicable areas and application methods
CLP Power mainly provides electricity services to Kowloon, the New Territories, and some outlying islands. For a residential property in these areas, if electricity is still being supplied or the account has not yet been terminated, the incoming resident can generally apply for electricity supply or transfer the account.
Residential customers can first create and complete identity verification for a CLP One account, then submit the application through CLP Power’s official website or relevant online services. After the application is successfully submitted, a confirmation text message will generally be issued. CLP Power states that the application-approval process is generally completed within three working days.[1]
Required information and documents
The following will generally be required:
• The electricity-supply address and the applicant’s basic information;
• Identification documents such as a Hong Kong Identity Card, passport, travel permit, or Chinese identity card;
• A tenancy agreement or provisional or formal sale and purchase agreement for an individual application;
• A Business Registration Certificate for an application made in a company’s name;
• In the case of a transfer between family members, the electricity bill of the previous or existing registered customer, if requested;
• If the original registered customer has died, proof of death.
If supplementary documents are required after the application, they should be submitted within the specified deadline according to the system or email instructions. CLP Power’s official information states that if the required documents are not received within seven days after submission of the application, the application may be terminated without further notice.[1]
Where electricity supply has been terminated or reconnection is required
If the property has no existing electricity supply, or if the electricity supply has been terminated for an extended period, the matter should not be treated as an ordinary account transfer. Such cases may require an application for a new electricity supply, an inspection of the electrical installation, and the submission of relevant completion certificates by a registered electrical contractor or engineering personnel. The actual requirements should follow CLP Power’s instructions for the specific property and supply situation.
HK Electric Account-Transfer Procedure
General account transfers
HK Electric mainly provides electricity services to Hong Kong Island, Lamma Island, and nearby areas. If the new property already has electricity supply and its existing electrical installation and electricity load have not been changed, the customer may apply for an account transfer.
Applications can be made through the HK Electric app, an online electronic application form, or a downloaded form submitted by post or returned to an HK Electric customer centre. HK Electric recommends applying for the account transfer one working day in advance. On the effective date of the transfer, HK Electric will read the electricity meter according to the arrangements. If the meter is located inside the property, the customer may need to assist with access arrangements.[2]
Deposit and required documents
HK Electric requires customers to pay an electricity deposit. The deposit is approximately equal to 60 days of estimated electricity consumption. The actual amount is calculated based on factors such as the electrical load and the rated value of the main supply switch. After the account is closed, the deposit is generally refunded to the registered customer.[2]
Applicants should prepare identification, the tenancy agreement or sale and purchase contract, and the supply address and account information. On the handover date, they should also retain photographs of the electricity meter reading to avoid disputes between the previous and new customers over consumption.
Situations requiring a new electricity supply or inspection
If the electrical installation or electricity load of the new property has been changed, or if the electricity supply has been terminated for more than four months, an application for a new electricity supply and an inspection of the electrical installation may be required. A registered electrical contractor or engineering personnel may need to submit a completion certificate before or during the inspection.[2]
Gas Account-Transfer Procedure
Distinguish between a “customer transfer” and a “new account”
If gas is still being supplied to the property and the new customer is taking over the existing account, a gas customer transfer can generally be arranged. If the previous account has already been closed, the gas supply needs to be reconnected, or the property has no existing gas supply, the applicant should open a new account or arrange connection works according to the requirements of Hong Kong and China Gas.
Documents required for a gas customer transfer
The following should generally be prepared:
• A copy of the new customer’s Hong Kong Identity Card or passport;
• A copy of the complete tenancy agreement or provisional sale and purchase agreement;
• The gas customer-transfer application form;
• The gas meter reading and photograph taken on the effective date of the transfer;
• The previous customer’s account information, such as the customer number and registered name;
• For an application made in a company’s name, documents such as the Business Registration Certificate.
The new customer should provide a photograph of the latest gas meter reading at the time of application. This will be used as the opening reading for the new account. The gas company may also request other supporting documents depending on the case.[3]
Application methods
Applications can be made through the gas company’s online customer centre or in person at a customer centre. If a gas customer-transfer application form is used, confirm in advance whether the new and previous customers must sign jointly and how the documents should be submitted.
Deposit and closure of the previous account
The household account deposits currently listed by Hong Kong and China Gas are generally HK$300 for public-housing households and HK$600 for private residential customers.[3] The actual arrangements should follow the terms and bill issued when the account is opened.
If the previous customer needs to close the gas account, Hong Kong and China Gas requires at least two working days’ advance notice. If gas appliances need to be removed, this should be stated at the time of application because the relevant works may involve additional charges.[3]
Water Account-Transfer Procedure
The Water Supplies Department refers to a new resident taking over a water-supply account as “taking up a consumership.” Applicants should select the appropriate method according to whether the previous user has already closed the account, whether the water meter remains installed, and whether the new and previous users can jointly confirm the relevant information.
How to choose the WWO form
Your situation Form or method generally used
The previous registered user has applied to close the account, but the water meter has not yet been removed WWO 1
The new and previous users can communicate and jointly confirm the transfer date and water-meter information WWO 1145
The water meter has been removed or the water supply has been disconnected WWO 542, together with an application for reconnection as required
A subdivided unit has an independent Water Supplies Department water meter installed WWO 1 (SDU)
Application methods and processing time
If the premises currently have a water supply, individual residential or flushing-water customers can apply to take up the consumership through eWater or the Water Supplies Department’s online services. Generally, applications submitted online, by post, fax, or email are completed within seven working days.
Applicants may also visit a Water Supplies Department Customer Enquiry Centre in person. If all information is complete, the application can generally be completed in approximately 15 minutes. Eligible individual residential customers may also arrange the transfer through the Water Supplies Department’s customer enquiry hotline.[4]
Required documents and fees
- Applicants will usually need to submit a copy of their identity card, travel document, or Business Registration Certificate. If the previous registered user has outstanding water charges, the Water Supplies Department may require a solicitor’s letter, a stamped tenancy agreement, or a sale and purchase contract to verify the effective date of the incoming customer’s right to take over the account.[4]
- If the premises have no water supply or the water meter has been removed, the new resident may need to pay a water deposit as well as a HK$420 water-supply reconnection fee. The application should be made using WWO 542.[4]
- Record the water-meter reading
On the effective date of taking up the consumership, the new resident should read and photograph the water meter, provided that it is safe and practicable to do so. The Water Supplies Department will assess on a case-by-case basis whether this reading will be used to calculate the first bill. If the new and previous users complete WWO 1145 jointly, the reading may also be used to calculate the previous user’s final bill.[4]
Moving-In Checklist
• Confirm whether the property is supplied by CLP Power or HK Electric.
• Confirm whether gas is still being supplied to the property.
• Confirm whether the water meter is still installed and whether the water supply is functioning normally.
• Record the electricity, gas, and water meter numbers.
• Photograph the meter readings and meter bodies on the handover date.
• Prepare identification documents.
• Prepare the tenancy agreement, provisional sale and purchase agreement, or formal sale and purchase agreement.
• Confirm the effective date of each account.
• Keep the application number, confirmation text messages, and confirmation emails.
• Check the deposit, first bill, and direct-debit arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the landlord have to arrange the electricity, gas, and water account transfer?
Not necessarily. Tenants or people actually occupying the property can generally apply to transfer or take over the accounts according to the supplier’s requirements. However, the applicant must still submit acceptable identification, a tenancy agreement, or other proof of the right to use the property.
Can I transfer the accounts without a formal tenancy agreement?
Some suppliers may accept a provisional tenancy agreement, a previous bill, or other supporting documents, but the requirements differ between organisations. Before submitting an application, confirm with the relevant supplier which alternative documents are acceptable.
Is it too late to apply on the day I move in?
It may be. HK Electric recommends applying for a transfer one working day in advance. CLP Power generally requires approximately three working days to approve an application, while online, postal, fax, or email applications to the Water Supplies Department generally take approximately seven working days. It is therefore best to submit the applications several days before handover.
Is a deposit always required when transferring electricity, gas, and water accounts?
Not necessarily, but electricity, gas, and water accounts may all involve deposits. The amount and payment method are determined by the relevant organisation based on factors such as the account type, type of residence, and estimated consumption. Reconnection of water or electricity may also involve engineering fees.
Is it necessary to photograph the meters on the handover date?
It is recommended. Photographs of the meter readings can help establish the division of charges between the previous and new users and provide a record if billing disputes arise later. The photographs should show the meter body, meter number, and reading.
Can a new resident apply if the previous user has not closed the account?
The procedures differ between organisations. According to official Water Supplies Department information, the Department will still process an incoming resident’s application to take up the consumership even if the current registered user has not yet applied to close the account. Electricity and gas accounts should be handled according to the latest procedures of the relevant suppliers, with the required supporting documents.[4]
The most important thing in transferring electricity, gas, and water accounts is not simply remembering a telephone number. First confirm the supplier, account status, and effective date, then prepare the correct documents. Recording the meter numbers and readings on the moving-in date and keeping all application records can reduce future disputes over bills and deposits.
If you have recently completed a property purchase or are preparing to move into a new home, in addition to arranging the electricity, gas, and water accounts, you can also compare mortgage plans, cash rebates, and refinancing terms at an early stage. You are welcome to contact a mReferral mortgage specialist to learn about the latest mortgage arrangements and financial planning after purchasing a property.
References
1. [CLP Power — Apply for Electricity or Name Transfer (Residential)](https://www.clp.com.hk/en/residential/open-electricity-account-residential/apply-electricity-name-transfer)
2. [HK Electric — Move In](https://www.hkelectric.com/en/customer-services/electricity-account-management/move-in)
3. [Towngas — Open / Close Account](https://www.towngas.com/en/Household/Customer-Services/Open-Close-Account)
4. [Water Supplies Department — Moving In: Taking Up Accounts](https://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/customer-services/manage-account-and-water-bills/taking-up-or-closure-of-accounts/change-of-consumership/index.html)
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