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| Hong Kong Local Reference INFOrmation
Moving in? Information on the essential services in Hong Kong and how to get them connected to your home or office in the different districts of Hong Kong. Who to call and what paperwork to have handy in order to get your electricity, water and gas.
All utilities with the exception of water are privately owned. All services offer extensive and sophisticated online support, and there are numerous customer centres throughout the region. There are many ways of paying utilities bills, including the PPS system which is specific to Hong Kong. This is provided by EPS, a consortium of 22 major banks, which deducts the amount directly from a bank account. All ATM cards issued by these banks can be used to make EPS transactions.
ElectricityThere are two main electricity suppliers, Hong Kong Electric Holdings (HEH), which serving Hong Kong and Lamma Island, and China Light and Power (CLP), serving Kowloon, the New Territories and Outlying Islands. HEH: Services to Hong Kong & Lamma Island
Single parents, the disabled, unemployed and elderly customers may qualify for a 60 percent discount on the first 200 units of electricity consumed per month under the Concessionary Tariff Scheme and are also exempt from paying the deposit. How to Connect: Accounts may be opened online, by fax or in person at the Customer Service Centre in North Point. It is necessary to have either Hong Kong ID or passport details. When the account is simply being transferred, just one working day's notice is required. A deposit of an estimated 60 days' consumption is required. Note: Keep the receipt for the deposit, as it will be necessary for the return of the deposit when the service is transferred or terminated. How to Pay: Meters are read and bills issued monthly. It is possible to pay by direct debit, credit card, PPS, at ATMs, online or by cheque, either in person at a customer centre or post office, or by post. Moving or Disconnecting: Notifying HEH of a change of address within Hong Kong or terminating the account may be done by completing an online form. Allow at least two working days. Return the deposit receipt either by post (a cheque will be issued within five working days) or at a customer service centre in exchange for cash. The deposit can also be refunded directly into a bank account. CLP Power: Services to Kowloon, New Territories and Outlying Islands
There are 15 CLP Power Customer Service Centres in Kowloon and the New Territories. How to Connect: It is possible to open an account either online or by going in person to one of the Customer Service Centres. It is necessary to have either HKID or passport details. A deposit of 60 days' estimated usage may be required, and interest will be paid on the deposit. How to Pay: Bills are issued bi-monthly. CLP offers three ways of e-billing, either by e-mail, fax or SMS. It is also possible to pay either by Autopay, or direct debit, credit card, via the Internet, PPS, at an ATM machine, by post, at a post office or even at any MTR customer service centre. Moving or Disconnecting: Requests to terminate or change an account must be made at least two working days beforehand. A form for termination of an electricity account can be downloaded from the CLP website. The deposit will be refunded either in cash at a customer service centre, by cheque within five working days or through Electronic Fund Transfer to a bank account. GasTowngas supplies 85% of households in Hong Kong. There are numerous Customer Service Centres throughout Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. See their website for details.
How to Connect: Accounts may be opened online. Towngas will call back to confirm the account. Documents such as a lease or proof of address will be required – these will be explained during the confirmation call. Otherwise visit the nearest customer service centre with proof of address. If gas is already connected on the premises, report the latest meter reading, which will be the account's initial reading. A deposit will be required. How to Pay: Meter readers make frequent visits, but it is also possible to arrange meter self-reading every month and either fill out an online form or telephone in the reading using their voice recognition system. Bills are sent monthly. There are numerous ways to pay Towngas: by cheque, via the Internet, by phone, at a bank or post office, at a customer service centre or by credit card Autopay. Moving or Disconnecting: An Account Transfer form in PDF file format can be downloaded from the Towngas website. Two working days' notice is required and a technician will make the final meter reading. The deposit will be applied against any outstanding balance due on the final statement, and any balance refunded by cheque, together with the final statement. Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG)For areas not serviced by Towngas, delivery of LPG cylinders can be arranged via the LPG website. Fill in the online sign up form. Other suppliers include Shell Gas LPG:
WaterWater is supplied by the Water Supplies Department (WSD).
There are several Customer Enquiry Centres:
How to Connect: To become a registered consumer download form WWO 1 from the WSD website. The form also is available at any of the Customer Enquiry Centres. The application form may be posted together with a copy of the customer's Hong Kong ID to the address above. Applications normally take seven days to process. A deposit is required. How to Pay: Bills are sent quarterly. There are several ways of paying: by Autopay, at an ATM, by phone or Internet, or by cheque. Moving or Disconnecting: The Water Authority should be informed 14 days prior to the date the account is to be closed. The final bill will be sent three days after the final meter reading, and any outstanding charges will be deducted from the deposit and the balance returned. Further Information
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