Setting up utilities in Cyprus after moving
How to transfer or connect electricity, water and internet, check documents and deposits, record meters and verify the first bill.
In brief: First establish which services are live, whose name is on each contract and whether a balance remains. Electricity, water and communications have different providers. A lease saying utilities are included should identify each service and the calculation.
Transferring electricity
For a transfer of supply, EAC requests the rental or sale agreement, identification and appropriate authority where a representative acts; the incoming customer signs a new supply agreement. Record the meter number, reading and handover date with the previous customer. A tenant deposit applies, while current conditions and charges should be checked in the EAC procedure.
Water and the local authority
Since July 2024, urban water supply is handled by District Local Government Organisations, while some communities retain responsibility. Identify the competent EOA or community council for the exact address and request its transfer form, evidence, deposit and debt position. Photograph the water meter and ask whether sewerage and municipal charges arrive separately.
Internet and mobile service
Check availability at the precise address, infrastructure, advertised and minimum speed, commitment period, installation charge, equipment and termination terms. Compare official summaries from operators on the same date. Maximum speed alone is insufficient: installation time, upload, router, geographic restrictions and performance inside the home matter.
The first bill and controls
Retain agreements, deposit receipts, equipment serial numbers and meter photographs. Check the first billing period, opening reading, tariff and one-off charges, and report an error in writing. Set notifications and payments to avoid a missed bill, but do not give a landlord or agent continuing access to the bank account.
Practical checklist
- record final readings and confirm old balances;
- identify EAC and the local water authority;
- prepare the housing agreement and identification;
- compare internet at the exact address and full-contract level;
- check the first bill and retain deposit records.
Map of service providers by address
Electricity, water, council services and internet may be supplied by different organisations. Make a note of the name, property or account number, and contact details. The information for a neighbouring local authority is not automatically carried over.
The tenancy agreement specifies who holds the account and who pays the deposit. Do not transfer money to the previous tenant without a documented account reconciliation and confirmation from the supplier. Another person’s debt must be kept separate from the new account transfer.
Take photographs of the meters, noting the numbers and the date, when you collect the keys. The meter readings are included in the signed handover report. This protects both parties from disputes regarding consumption prior to moving in.
Handover of electricity and water
Obtain an up-to-date list of required documents and book the required appointment. Your passport, tenancy agreement, proof of ownership or the landlord’s consent must be verified against the specific role. Do not send these to a random address provided in the advert.
Check the tariff, deposit, refund method, billing cycle and emergency contact details. Confirmation of your application does not mean the connection is complete. Once the name has been changed, check the details on your first bill.
If the supply has been cut off, do not break the seal or switch on the equipment yourself. Only the supplier or an authorised technician can determine the safe procedure.
Internet and mobile backup
Check the available technology at your exact address, not just the coverage in your area. Advertised speeds may differ from those at your property. Clarify installation details, equipment, minimum contract term and cancellation terms.
For remote working, request an installation date with a buffer and keep a mobile backup. Test video calls and upload speeds once connected. Wi-Fi coverage inside your home depends on the router’s placement.
Equipment returns must be confirmed with a receipt bearing the serial number. Do not dispose of the box or power supply until the contract has ended. Direct debit payments are cancelled after the final bill, not before it.
First bill and meter faults
Check the name, address, billing period, opening and closing meter readings, tariff and previous balance. Dispute any errors in writing, including photographs. Do not wait for the next bill if the amount relates to a different billing period.
If you smell gas, see sparks, experience flooding or notice a dangerous cable, ensure people’s safety and call the emergency services. Do not attempt to repair the communal system yourself. Notify the owner and keep a record of the call-out number.
When moving out, take a final meter reading, request a final bill and close or transfer the contract in accordance with the procedure. This article outlines the steps, but the supplier and the contract determine the relevant documents and payments.
Create a table of utility accounts: supplier, account number, account holder’s name, deposit, direct debit date, emergency contact details and closure procedure. Do not store passwords or full card details in it. The spreadsheet helps you identify any incomplete utility-account transfer and ensures you do not miss out on a deposit refund after moving out.
For the building’s communal systems, clarify the division of responsibility between the tenant, the owner and the management committee. A private request does not always resolve a fault in the communal areas of the building. The report should be sent to the person authorised to arrange the work, and the technician’s access and the outcome should be recorded in writing.
Official sources and method
- EAC: connections, transfers and disconnections
- Ministry of Interior: district organisations and water supply
- Cyta: current home communication services
Information and links checked on 9 September 2026. Rules, tariffs and procedures change; verify the current terms with the competent authority or provider before making a decision.