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JAPAN HOME UTILITIES (ELECTRICITY, WATER, GAS)
Setting Up
When moving, you must notify the electricity,
gas and waterworks companies in charge of both
your old and new addresses, so that utilities
will be ready for use when you move in, and any
remaining charges at your previous home can be
calculated and settled once and for all. In the
case of moving out, the numbers to contact can
be found on previous statements - refer to your
assigned 'customer reference numbers' when calling
for faster service. During the 'peak moving season'
of February to April, be sure to make your reservations
for utility contracts early.
If you fail to inform the utility companies when
you move out, your utility accounts will remain
active at your former residence. This means that
you will be held responsible for any additional
consumption (by other people) in addition to the
relevant basic usage fees until the companies
are notified - even though you no longer use the
utilities (as you had already moved out)!
After moving into your new apartment, the utility
start-up application forms can usually be found
in the apartment or mailbox. Sometimes these forms
are provided by your realtor or landlord, who
might also take on the responsibility of arranging
for utility connections. If you do not receive
these, consult your realtor or landlord as to
where to make arrangements, or check the phone
book for local branches of utility companies.
Mail the forms after filling in the required information
(name, address, date on which you began usage).
On these forms, you will also be asked if you
wish to apply for Automatic Payment Transfer.
Fill in your bank account information if you want
this payment option. (See Automatic Payment Transfer
below)
A tip regarding moving: the post office offers
a free mail-forwarding service that will automatically
redirect mail from your old address to your new
address for 1 year (within Japan only). To apply,
go to the post office counter and complete a Notification
of Change of Address form and either hand it in
directly to the person at the counter, or post
it at a red mailbox.
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Paying for utilities
Separate statements for electricity, gas, and telephone
(domestic) will arrive once a month, whereas those
for water arrive at the frequency of once every
1 to 4 months, depending on the region (it is usually
once every two months). Shortly before the statements
are sent out, the meters for electricity, gas and
water are inspected and slips showing the amount
of usage will be left in your mailbox.
There are 2 options when it comes to paying bills.
You can make cash payments by taking the statements
to post offices, banks, credit associations, the
relevant company's business offices, or designated
convenience stores. The backs of the bills have
symbols of the convenience stores that accept utility
payments, and most people in the city areas find
this to be the most convenient because they're everywhere
and queues are non-existent. Upon receiving your
payment, you will be given a stamped receipt - keep
this for proof of payment.
The second option is to arrange to have payments
deducted automatically from your bank or post office
account. This is a very convenient method: no extra
trips to make payments, and you can avoid accidental
non-payment and interruption in services. To arrange
for Automatic Payment Transfers, (if you haven't
already done so by using the utility start-up forms)
go to your bank or post office with the utility
statement, your account passbook and your seal (if
applicable) and complete the appropriate application
procedures. Each month you will be mailed a notification
showing the amount deducted, the charges due for
the next month, and the date on which the new charges
will be deducted.
If you are late at paying:
A late charge will be added to your bill the following
month, and reminders will keep coming for a few
months. After that, the service may be cut off.
If this happens, you will have to go to the local
office of the utility company to pay the entire
amount in arrears before the service is restored.
Information compiled by Loon Goo.
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