Moving to Penang: electricity, water, your agreement and your pass

The short version

Sign and stamp your tenancy agreement first. TNB asks for it when you open an electricity account.
Apply to TNB for electricity. For an existing home, TNB allows you to apply without a contractor if its listed conditions are met.
Apply to PBAPP for water. When you leave, tell PBAPP at least 3 days before.
Check your pass or visa on the Immigration Department portal, not through a third party.
A foreigner who has not been given permission to drive in Malaysia should get a Malaysian driving licence.

Step 1: your home and your agreement

If you are renting, the tenancy agreement must be stamped within 30 days of signing. Late stamping costs a penalty of at least RM50 or RM100, depending on how late. HASiL, the tax authority, sets the rates. Our renting guide has the duty rates and who pays.

Source: HASiL, Penalti (Duti Setem), read 2026-10-11.

Step 2: electricity with TNB

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) sets out two routes for a home:

New building. You appoint an electrical contractor registered with the Energy Commission. The contractor sends the application form and documents to TNB. You pay the connection charge TNB quotes, RM10 stamp duty and a security deposit.
Existing home. TNB says you may apply without a contractor, but only if the TNB service cable and meter board are there and in good condition, no renovation has touched the wiring, and the wiring is in good working order. The listed charges are a reconnection fee (RM3.00 for low voltage), RM10 stamp duty and a security deposit.

For a personal account, TNB asks for the signed application form, your IC or passport, and proof you live there. A tenant's proof is a valid, duly stamped tenancy agreement. If you have no such agreement, TNB asks for a residence confirmation letter, for example from a village head, together with papers such as a utility bill. TNB's page does not state the security deposit in text, so ask TNB for the figure.

Source: TNB, Start and Stop Electricity, read 2026-10-11.

Step 3: water with PBAPP

Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) runs the water supply. Its customer services page links to a water supply application form. PBAPP's water bill page lists four kinds of bill it issues: the water bill, the water deposit, a trunk mains contribution and a miscellaneous bill. You can pay through its myPBA mobile app, which also shows interruption notices.

To end an account when you leave, tell PBAPP at least 3 days before. Use Form M or write a letter, and ask for your deposit back. Forms can be handed in at any PBAPP customer care centre, which is open Monday to Friday. Enquiries are taken from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

For urgent faults, PBAPP's 24-hour call centre is 04 255 8 255.

Sources: PBAPP customer services, water bill and payments and customer care centres, read 2026-10-11.

Step 4: your pass or visa

The Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia portal links to visit pass services, the MM2H programme, an Investor Pass and systems for foreign professionals. It carries a notice that the Multiple Entry Visa is no longer available to all nationalities. Immigration also publishes a visa fee table by country. For the long-stay programme, read our MM2H guide.

Sources: Immigration portal and Kadar Bayaran Visa, read 2026-10-11.

Step 5: driving

The Ministry of Transport says a foreigner who has not been given permission to drive in Malaysia should get a Malaysian driving licence. The first step is to register with a driving institute. See our getting around guide for the ferry and buses.

Source: Ministry of Transport Malaysia, Driving Licenses, read 2026-10-11.

Save these numbers

Emergencies: 999. The government portal says it joins five emergency services: police, fire and rescue, health, maritime and civil defence.
PBAPP water, 24 hours: 04 255 8 255
TNB power cut or fault: 15454

More numbers are in our who to call guide.

Sources: MyGovernment portal, MERS 999, PBAPP and TNB, read 2026-10-11.

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