Moving into a new home in Cyprus usually involves more than signing a rental agreement or completing a property purchase. Tenants and buyers also need to make sure electricity and water accounts are transferred into their name, so that future bills are issued correctly and the previous account is closed.
The process is different for electricity and water. Electricity is handled island-wide by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus, while water accounts are handled by the authority responsible for the area where the property is located.
Electricity accounts
Electricity transfers are handled by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. In cases of a change of tenant or change of name, the EAC says the new customer must sign a new electricity supply agreement. A new account is then opened in the new customer’s name, while the previous customer’s agreement is automatically terminated and their account is closed.
The EAC gives two ways to complete the process.
The first option is by email. Applicants may send their request to the relevant EAC Area Customer Service Centre, together with scanned copies of the required documents. If more information is needed, the EAC may request it by email. Once the correct documents have been submitted, the EAC sends the electricity supply agreement by email for signature. The applicant then signs it, scans it and returns it by email.
The second option is in person. Applicants may visit any EAC Customer Service Centre and sign the electricity supply agreement there, after presenting the required documents.
For individuals, the required documents usually include a title deed or rental or sales agreement, an identity card, passport or other legally valid identification document and, where another person is acting on behalf of the applicant, certified authorisation or power of attorney.
In transfer cases, the signed written consent of the previous customer is also required. If communication with the existing customer is not possible, the new customer must sign a solemn declaration confirming that there is no other customer or tenant on the property.
A deposit is also required. The EAC states that tenants pay the deposit when signing the electricity supply agreement, while owners are charged on their first electricity bill. The transfer of supply charge is €15 plus VAT.
For companies and other legal entities, additional documents are required, including corporate certificates, details of shareholders and directors, a company stamp and, where applicable, authorisation for the person signing the agreement.
EAC transfer page:
EAC customer service centres:
https://www.eac.com.cy/EN/ContactUs/Pages/default.aspx
Water accounts
Water bills are not handled by a single island-wide provider in the way electricity is handled by the EAC. The account must be transferred through the water authority responsible for the area where the property is located.
In practice, tenants and buyers will usually be asked to show proof that they are entitled to use the property, such as a rental agreement, title deed or sales document, together with identification. Some authorities may also ask for a recent meter reading or photograph of the water meter, the owner’s consent, a deposit or settlement of any outstanding balance.
The exact process can vary depending on the district or municipality. For that reason, residents should check the relevant authority before applying, particularly to confirm whether the owner must be present, whether the process can be completed online and whether any outstanding amount must be settled before the transfer is accepted.
In Nicosia, the District Local Government Organisation states that a water account can only be transferred to the owner or tenant of the premises, and not to third parties. For owners, the listed requirements include identification, a title deed or purchase and sale document, a photograph of the meter with the meter number clearly visible, payment of transfer fees and certified authorisation if someone else is acting on behalf of the applicant.
For tenants in Nicosia, both parties must go to the organisation’s customer service department, or the tenant may attend alone with the landlord’s signed consent form. The required documents include a valid rental document, copies of the tenant’s and landlord’s identity cards and certified authorisation if another person represents the parties. A tenant deposit is also required.
Nicosia account transfer page:
https://ndlgo.org.cy/en/water-supply/bill-request/account-transfer/
Nicosia District Local Government Organisation:
In Limassol, the District Local Government Organisation provides an online account transfer application for individuals and legal entities. The application page asks whether the transfer concerns a tenant or owner and lists supporting documents including a rental agreement, identity card, certified authorisation where applicable, the authorised person’s identity card, company certificates where relevant and a same-day photograph of the water meter.
Limassol account transfer page:
https://eoalemesos.org.cy/en/account-transfer
Limassol District Local Government Organisation:
In Famagusta, the District Local Government Organisation provides an online application for meter transfer from owner to tenant or buyer. The form asks whether the application concerns a physical person or company and whether the transfer is for a tenant, owner or buyer. Listed attachments include a rental agreement, title deeds or proof of sale, the applicant’s ID, certified authorisation where applicable, the authorised person’s ID and a picture of the water meter.
Famagusta meter transfer page:
https://eoaa.org.cy/en/account-transfer/
Famagusta District Local Government Organisation:
In Larnaca, the District Local Government Organisation lists water supply among its services and refers to customer services including bill payments, transfer clearances and changes to account details. It also publishes water supply forms and customer service information, but the available English pages do not set out a full account transfer checklist in the same way as Nicosia, Limassol or Famagusta.
Larnaca District Local Government Organisation:
Larnaca water supply forms:
https://eoal.org.cy/en/forms-applications/water-supply/
In Paphos, the District Local Government Organisation provides water supply services, online payments, electronic invoicing and customer service contact details. However, its available English pages do not appear to publish a dedicated water account transfer form or detailed transfer requirements. Residents should therefore contact the Paphos customer service centre directly before applying.
Paphos District Local Government Organisation:
Paphos customer service:
https://eoap.org.cy/en/kentra-exipiretisis/
What to prepare
Before starting the transfer process, applicants should have the main documents ready: identification, a rental agreement or property purchase document, contact details and, for water accounts, a clear photograph or reading of the meter where requested.
Tenants should also check with the landlord whether the previous account is still active and whether the owner’s presence or written consent is required. Buyers should keep their sale documents available, while companies should prepare the corporate certificates requested by the relevant authority.
If another person is handling the transfer, applicants should confirm in advance whether certified authorisation or power of attorney is required.
