Utilities

Who this page is for

For anyone renting or buying a flat in Georgia and setting up electricity, gas, water and internet for the first time.

And for owners who need to make sure from abroad that no debt builds up on the flat.

Our role

We find the account details, check for debts, arrange transfers and connections, and explain the bills in your language.

You make the payments, from your own account or card. We do not handle client money.

What utilities include

Usually: electricity, natural gas, water, waste collection and internet.

Some buildings add an association contribution for the lift, stairwell and yard.

Each service has its own company and its own bill, and this is what confuses people most in the first months.

The account number

Each service links to the address through an account number, and payment is made with that number.

The number can be found on an old bill, by the meter or from the owner.

When you move in we write all the numbers into one table and send it to you, so you never have to search again.

Reading a bill

A bill usually shows the account number, the period, the previous and new meter readings and the amount due.

A previous debt or an overpayment carried into the next month may appear as a separate line.

We explain the first bills line by line, so that you can read them yourself afterwards.

Whose name the account is in

When renting, the account usually stays in the owner's name and the tenant simply pays.

When buying, every service must be transferred into your name.

In both cases the contract should state who pays for what and by when.

Transfer when buying

After ownership is registered, we give the service companies the new owner's details.

Often a registry extract, an identity document and the meter reading on handover day are needed.

Some companies do this online, others need a visit, and we check this separately for each.

Previous debts

Sometimes a previous owner's or tenant's debt remains on the account or the address.

Because of a debt, a service may be suspended, or the transfer to a new owner may become harder.

So we check debts before buying or moving in, and write their settlement into the contract.

Meters

On moving-in and moving-out day we record every meter reading with a photo.

This is the only objective basis if a dispute later arises over who used what.

Some meters are inside the flat, some in the stairwell or on the street, and we find out which at the viewing.

Electricity

The electricity bill is often monthly, based on the amount used.

The tariff may depend on the volume used, and high consumption can sometimes cost more per unit.

Winter with electric heaters is often more expensive than with gas, and we take this into account when choosing a flat.

Capacity and the fuse board

In older flats the fuse board cannot always handle an air conditioner, a boiler and an oven at once.

A circuit breaker that trips often is a sign that the capacity or the wiring is not enough.

We check this before you move in and, where needed, arrange an electrician.

Power cuts

Planned cuts are often announced in advance, and we keep track of that information.

Unplanned cuts sometimes happen because of weather or network problems.

If you work from home, an uninterruptible power supply for the router and laptop is simple insurance.

Natural gas

In many flats gas runs the heating boiler, the hot water and the cooker.

The gas bill rises noticeably in winter and is often small in summer.

Servicing the boiler once a year, before the season, both lowers costs and improves safety.

Gas safety

If you smell gas, do not switch electrical switches on or off, open the windows and leave the flat.

Then contact the gas emergency service or 112.

A gas detector is cheap, and we recommend one in every flat with a gas boiler.

Connections in a new building

In a new building, gas, electricity or water is sometimes not yet fully connected.

A connection starts with an application and often takes weeks, especially for gas.

Before buying we check what is already connected and who pays for connection: the developer or you.

Water

The water bill sometimes comes by meter, sometimes on a fixed basis.

In many cities tap water is considered drinkable, although in old pipes the quality depends on the flat.

Many families use a filter and find it cheaper than buying bottled water.

Water pressure and cuts

On upper floors water pressure is sometimes low, and the building has a pump or a tank.

Planned cuts are often announced in advance, and it is worth keeping a supply at those times.

At viewings we check the tap on the upper floor, because this directly affects daily comfort.

Hot water

Hot water in a flat comes either from the gas boiler or from an electric water heater.

An electric water heater needs time to heat up and increases electricity costs.

We compare the tank size with the size of the family, so that no one gets a cold shower in the morning.

The waste collection fee

In some cities the waste collection fee comes together with another bill.

It is often fixed and does not depend on consumption.

We explain the bill so that you know what you are paying for on each line.

Rubbish

Rubbish usually goes into containers in the yard or on the street, and collection is regular.

Removing large items - furniture, appliances - needs separate arrangement.

Renovation waste does not usually go into the ordinary containers, and a separate service is needed for it.

Internet

Several providers offer internet, and availability depends on the address.

Fibre optic is the most stable, if it reaches the building.

We check the contract term and the early cancellation terms, especially if you are renting short-term.

Internet in a rented flat

Often a flat already has internet, in the owner's or the previous tenant's name.

We find out who pays, what the speed is and whether the plan can be changed.

If you install a new line, we plan in advance how it will be cancelled or handed over when you leave.

Mobile

A local SIM card is often bought with a passport, in a shop within a few minutes.

Many phones also support eSIM, and some operators offer it.

A local number is needed for the bank, couriers and utility notifications, so we set it up in the first days.

Television

Television is often sold together with internet, as a package.

Foreign-language channels depend on the package, and many foreigners use only streaming.

We do not recommend an unnecessary package if you do not watch TV.

Ways to pay

The most convenient is a Georgian bank's app, where you pay by account number.

Cities have many payment terminals, where you can pay in cash or by card.

Some companies also have their own online page.

A foreign card

Some payment systems accept a foreign card, some do not, or charge an extra fee.

A Georgian account solves this problem and also reduces currency conversion costs.

Before you open an account, we show you which route works with your card.

Automatic payment

In a banking app you can often set up automatic payment.

This is especially convenient if you travel a lot.

We still check the bill every month, because a mistake gets paid automatically too.

Keeping receipts

Your payment history may be needed for residence, for a bank or in a dispute.

We recommend keeping receipts electronically in one folder.

For property management clients we attach receipts to the monthly report.

The association contribution

The association collects a contribution for the lift, stairwell cleaning and the yard.

When renting, the contract should state who pays this.

Unpaid contributions sometimes cause tension with neighbours, and we settle this in advance.

The winter budget

In winter, gas is often the largest utility line.

The cost depends on the flat's size, insulation, windows and the boiler's condition.

We ask the owner for last winter's bills, so that you see the real picture.

Heating alternatives

If a flat has no gas boiler, people often use electric heaters or an air conditioner in heating mode in winter.

A modern air conditioner is often more economical than an old electric heater.

We note the type of heating when choosing a flat, because it shapes the winter budget more than anything else.

The summer budget

In summer gas use drops, but air conditioning raises electricity costs.

An old air conditioner often uses much more than a new one.

A top floor and a sunny side raise summer costs further.

Cutting costs

Boiler temperature at night and when you are out, radiator thermostats and sealed windows.

A timer on the water heater and energy-saving bulbs.

Small steps like these often make a noticeable difference in winter.

An empty flat

Disconnecting services in an empty flat is not always the better option.

In winter minimal heating protects the pipes, and disconnecting and reconnecting is sometimes more expensive.

We keep an eye on an empty flat's bills, so that unusual consumption alerts us to a leak in time.

Moving out

On the day you leave we record the final reading on every meter.

The final bill often arrives later, and we settle it together with the deposit.

We cancel or hand over the internet and other services in your name in advance.

A house in the regions

In a village house, water sometimes comes from a well and sewerage from a private system.

Gas is not available everywhere, and heating may be by wood, gas cylinder or electricity.

We check the stability of the electricity supply and the internet separately before buying.

Office utilities

Commercial space sometimes has a different tariff and different rules from residential.

In a business centre utilities are often in the service charge or a separate line.

We cover the details on the office page.

An emergency at night

With a water leak we first shut off the flat's water, then call a plumber.

With an electrical problem we first check the fuse board, then call an electrician or the service company.

We send you a list of important numbers on move-in day, in your language.

Disputing a bill

If a bill is unusually high, we first compare the meter reading with the photo.

In case of a mistake we ask the service company to recheck.

Unusual consumption is sometimes a sign of a hidden leak, and we check this separately.

From abroad

If you are not often in Georgia, it is easy to lose track of bills.

As part of property management we check the bills and send you payment reminders.

You make the payments yourself, through the banking app, from any country.

Timing

When renting, utilities are often set up on move-in day itself.

When buying, transfers often take a few days.

Installing internet takes a few days, and a new gas connection often takes weeks.

Common mistakes

Moving in without photos of the meters.

Buying without checking for previous debts.

Planning the winter budget from summer bills.

What we need from you

The flat's address and, if you have them, old bills.

Whether you are renting or buying, and whose name the services should be in.

How you want to pay: through a Georgian account, a foreign card or automatically.

Cost

Utility tariffs are set by the service companies and the regulator, and you pay them directly.

The electrician, the plumber and connection costs are separate lines.

Our help is agreed in advance, and we add nothing to partners' prices.