Setting Up Your Utilities In Sunny Singapore
Moving into your new home and furnishing your apartment may be a joyous event to celebrate, but hold your confetti and champagne bottles in place as you will need to set up your utilities first. The process might sound tedious but in reality, it’s actually rather simple to go through once you’ve gone through this article!
For all the residents living in Singapore, you will need to apply for a utility account. You don’t have to go through the trouble of heading out as it can be done online at your desk, in just four simple steps:
- Set up your utilities account online
- Pay your security deposit
- Understanding your account and statements
- Pay for your utility bills
And if you’re looking for an electricity company in singapore, be sure to do ample research to find one that will enable you to gain more savings on your utilities.
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Set Up Your Utilities Account Online
Your essential utilities such as electricity, gas, and water can be managed under the same account and be set up online. Go to the SP Services website and begin by filling up your personal information, residential premises, and if you require a supply of gas on the application page. It is compulsory to apply for your water supply as well as electricity. When you are applying on the website, some documents are also required to be submitted:
- Copy of the front and back sides of your NRIC or FIN
- Proof of occupancy of your home such as your tenancy agreement
- Completed and Signed SP Services Application Form For Utilities Account
For gas supply, you will have to call up City Gas separately in order to fix an appointment with them. Contact them after you have received your email confirmation from SP Services that shows that your utility account has been successfully opened.
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Pay Your Security Deposit
Before your utility account is set up, a security deposit is required to make sure that your final utility bill is paid in case you decide to sell your apartment or terminate your rental lease. There are no additional fees needed to set up your SP Services utilities account besides this security deposit. Additionally, your security deposit will be refunded to you when you terminate your utility account. The deposit amount will differ based on the type of housing you are staying in and whether you’re opting to pay by GIRO or not. It is recommended for you to pay in GIRO as the process is automated and will be much more convenient for you, and it also helps to lower the amount of security deposit required. If you choose to pay in person, you can do so via walk-in at the customer service centers.
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Understanding Your Account And Statements
At this point in time, your utility account should have been set up and it’s time for you to have a better understanding of the details of your bills.
The front page should feature some of the key details such as your payment details, account summary, consumption graphs, useful tips, total monthly charges, and the bill stub.
Your consumption graph should reflect how much of your utilities you have consumed and a rough overview of it. It also allows you to compare your consumption patterns with your neighbors and the national average. Here, you can have a sense of whether you’re overconsuming your utilities and perhaps give you a clue if you should be following the common advice of switching off your lights when they are not in use.
Your bill stub will let you know of how much you will need to pay for your bills and the exact date you will need to pay your bills by. Try to avoid any late payments and pay your bills as soon as possible.
The summary of U-Save will inform you of how much U-Save rebates are being tapped on and your balance.
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Pay For Your Utility Bills
As you enjoy the essential services in your house like having access to water, electricity and/or gas, do remember to pay your utility bills! Here are some ways you can make payment for them:
- Automatic payment through GIRO
- Payment through iBanking
- Find an AXS Machine around shopping malls and pay your bills using either NETS or a credit card
- Pay using a credit card if you wish to collect reward points. You can automate the process by using the POSB Everyday Credit Card and will be entitled to a one percent cash rebate on your utility bills.
- Visit an SP Services Customer Service Centre, your nearest 7-Eleven store or neighborhood post office
Final Tips to Take Note In The Application Process
Now that you have a clear understanding of how to set up your SP Services Utility Account, here are some tips for you to take away to squeeze the most out of your utility bill. It is also a good idea to understand the process if you are intending to make a smooth shift in houses in the future.
- Have a clear understanding of the electricity plans in the market
- Be aware of the process in the case you decide to shift houses
- To transfer or terminate your SP Services Utility Account: Utilities are nontransferrable. If you are a landlord who is renting out your house or simply a tenant whose lease has ended, be sure to terminate it. Transfer your ownership is you are selling your apartment away.
- Make sure to have a buffer time to open your utility account: It will take a period of three business days after your receipt has been issued for your account to set up.
You’re Done!
With this, you are done ready to open your utilities account with SP Services. It should be easy to do so and we recommend that you schedule your application submission at least five working days beforehand. Only the owner or tenants can open an account for the apartment and you can start to apply for one the moment you have obtained the official documents of your apartment. Note also that you can switch to another electricity plan with electricity retailers other than SP after you open your SP utilities account.
We hope that this guide has helped you in your journey of learning to open and manage your account, and how to pay your bills before the due deadlines!