How/when are public utilities transferred to the new owner?
Public utilities and the corresponding bills can be transferred to the new owner’s name, immediately after the signing of the contract.
Electricity
The Public Power Company, DEH, manages the power supply in Greece. The DEH website has information in English on the electricity tariffs, bill paying, off-peak services, outages, contract termination or succession and energy saving.
Getting connected/disconnected
When moving in to a property, a Power Supply Contract must be signed at the nearest DEH office. A connection cannot be set up online or by telephone.
The following documents are required:
AFM/Tax Identification Number
Proof of identity
Property rental or purchase contract
A recent electricity bill from the previous tenant/owner or the service number on the electricity meter
Certificate issued by a licensed Electrical Installer with an electric plan of the property (if the previous one was submitted to the DEH more than 14 years before).
Generally, the connection process is managed more quickly if the departing occupant and the new occupant go to the DEH office together. This ensures that the power supply is not cut off.
When signing the Power Supply Contract, customers must also pay an amount against future consumption. The amount paid depends on the size of the property and the type of service and will be included in the first bill.
When moving out of a property, customers must complete a “request for service disconnection” at a local DEH office a few days before they leave the property. An appointment for meter reading can also be scheduled or a meter reading can be giving in person. Once the service has been disconnected, a final bill is issued and sent to the new address. The amount due is based on actual consumption minus the amount paid when signing the contract. A refund is provided, if appropriate.
When you first receive your electricity bill, you might feel overwhelmed by all the information on it. Here is a useful link to help you read your Greek electricity bill
<a href="http://www.dei.gr/Documents/LOGARIASMOS_EN.html” title=”Electricity bill explained”>
You will see that the bill is separated into three parts and includes the charges for your electricity used and ‘rates’ payable to your local municipality; these rates cover refuse collection, street lighting and so forth (equivalent to some other countries’ council taxes). Your TV license (for local greek channels) is also included (ERT). If you haven’t paid your estimated bill the amount will be shown in the 3rd section.
You will receive your actual bill ΕΚΚΑΘΑΡΙΣΤΙΚΟΣ (ekatharistikos, meter reading) every four months, however, you will also receive an estimated bill ENANTI (estimate) two months prior. It is a good idea to pay the estimate; the cost of electricity rises the more you consume, if the estimate is not paid the amount consumed does not drop back to zero, therefore you will be charged a higher rate for subsequent usage.
You can pay your electricity bill through direct debit. You must take your bill to your bank to do this.
Water
The water supply in Greece is managed by the local council in each area: there are offices within each Municipality. The Public Water Company of Rhodes, DEYAR, is the company in Rhodes operating in the water market, supplying drinking water and wastewater services to Rhodes Island. Most areas are now served by the central sewage system that leads to a waste water treatment plant. If your home is in an area which the network has not yet reached, then your house will have its own private septic tank.
Getting connected
Information on connection procedures is supplied by the regional water department at the local Town Hall or Municipality Office. Proof of identity is required when connecting to the water supply. New connections to the water supply may take several days.
Water in Greece is metered and charges are based on consumption and vary according to each different municipality – usually on a sliding scale, as with electricity – the more you use, the more you pay!
It is not possible to pay your water bill through direct debit.