Moving in: power, water and other accounts in Penang, step by step

The short version

• Renting: ask the landlord whose name the TNB and PBAPP accounts are in, and agree who pays. TNB lets an owner put the account in the tenant's name (a Change of Tenancy).
• Water: PBAPP uses one form, Borang Permohonan Bekalan Air, for a new supply, a change of name and a reconnection. A tenant's form needs the owner's consent.
• Leaving: tell PBAPP at least 3 days before you go, using Form M, to close the account and get your deposit back.
• Buying: tell your city council within three months of the transfer, and send Indah Water your sale and purchase agreement pages.

Before you sign a tenancy

1. Ask whose name the electricity account is in. TNB says an owner can do a Change of Tenancy before a tenant moves in, so the tenant becomes fully responsible for the account. If the owner keeps the account, TNB suggests the owner registers on myTNB to watch the tenant's monthly usage and payments.
2. Ask whose name the water account is in, and whether any bills are unpaid. PBAPP disconnects supply when a customer defaults, and reconnects only after the arrears are paid.
3. Agree in writing who pays which bill. Our which bill is which page lists them all.

Sources: TNB FAQ, Owner / Tenant Issues and PBAPP Customer Services, read 2026-10-14.

Electricity: TNB

• Change of Tenancy moves the account into the tenant's name. Once that is done, the owner can no longer ask TNB to cut supply if the tenant stops paying.
• Deposit: TNB keeps a deposit and can ask for more if your average monthly bill rises above it. Its own example works out the deposit as two months of average usage.
• Closing the account: the deposit can be used to settle arrears when an account is closed. If it does not cover them, you pay the balance.
• Paying: each bill should be paid within 30 days of the date it is issued, in full.
• Questions: TNB's enquiry line is 1300-88-5454, or visit a Kedai Tenaga.
• Documents and fees: TNB's FAQ does not list the documents or fees for a Change of Tenancy or a new account.

Sources: TNB FAQ, Owner / Tenant Issues and TNB FAQ, Account and Billing, read 2026-10-14.

Water: PBAPP

Opening or changing an account. PBAPP's Borang Permohonan Bekalan Air (free of charge) covers:

Payments listed on the form include a water deposit (wang deposit bekalan air); the form does not give the amount.

Moving out. PBAPP says a customer who is no longer the owner or occupier should tell PBAPP and apply for a deposit refund:

• apply at least 3 days before the date you want the account closed;
• use Form M (Permohonan Pemotongan Bekalan Air), or write a letter with the account number, address, closing date, your new postal address, phone number and email;
• post it to P.O. Box 246, 10730 Pulau Pinang, or hand it in at any customer care centre. Form M also asks for your bank name and account number.

Getting the deposit back. As published in 2021, PBAPP refunds deposits by bank transfer from 1 January 2022. You show a copy of your IC and a copy of your bank statement header or bank book cover page at a customer care centre. Cheques are for special cases, such as senior citizens with no bank account.

Reconnection after arrears. Pay the arrears at a customer care centre or online, then tell PBAPP the amount, date, receipt number and where you paid. PBAPP reconnects within 48 hours of the report. As published in 2017, the charges were RM35 to disconnect, RM35 to reconnect and RM3 for the notice of disconnection, set nationally for domestic premises.

Questions: PBAPP's 24-hour call centre is 04 255 8 255.

Sources: PBAPP Customer Services, water supply application form, Form M, PBAPP media release, 27 December 2021, PBAPP press statement, 28 February 2017 and PBAPP Water Bill and Payments, read 2026-10-14.

Sewerage: Indah Water (IWK)

• Buying: tell IWK about the change of owner through eSubmission on the IWK customer portal. Send the relevant pages of the sale and purchase agreement (date, names of seller and buyer, address, and the signature page) and an assessment bill showing the registered owner. IWK says the buyer is liable for unpaid sewerage charges unless IWK was told of the sale, so check for arrears before completion.
• Renting and leaving: settle all charges for your tenancy, remove the account from your portal profile if you used e-Bill, and email care@iwk.com.my with the date your tenancy ended.

Source: IWK FAQ, Account Changes or Requests, read 2026-10-14.

Owners: the council and the land office

• Assessment tax. When a property is sold or transferred, the seller and the buyer must each tell the council within three months, using Borang I. MBPP says so for the island; MBSP says the same for the mainland and warns it can take legal action under Section 160 of the Local Government Act 1976 if you do not. If the owner has died, the heirs use Borang J; MBPP gives one year after the death.
• Check for arrears first. MBSP suggests checking with the council (or through your lawyer) that there is no unpaid assessment tax on the property.
• Quit rent address. To change the address on a quit rent or parcel rent bill, use the PgLAND portal or fill in Borang NA.2 at a land office counter.

Sources: MBPP Penilaian Harta, MBSP FAQ, Cukai kadaran and PTG FAQ, Bahagian Hasil, read 2026-10-14.

Internet

For the plans providers publish, see Home internet in Penang. Ask the landlord or the building's management office which providers already serve the building.

Related

• Which bill is which in Penang
• Renting in Penang
• Who to call in Penang