Transferring ownership of the property is an important step for the buyer, but completing the procedures is not limited to documenting the sale and receiving the unit. It is also necessary to ensure that the data for electricity and water services is updated and the accounts are linked to the actual beneficiary, so that the bills and notifications reach the concerned party, and the data registered in the name of the previous owner does not continue after the transfer of ownership.
The Saudi Water Authority always emphasizes the importance of updating account data with the service provider when transferring property ownership, in order to preserve the rights of beneficiaries and help avoid problems resulting from the owner's data not matching the account data.
First: How do you transfer the electricity account to your name?
The Saudi Electricity Company provides the “Account Management” service to document the beneficiary’s relationship to the meter, whether they are an owner, tenant, investor, or heir, and to benefit from the digital services associated with the account. The new owner can follow these steps:
- Access the official website or application of the Saudi Electricity Company ( service link ).
- Go to "My Services" then Account Management.
- Choose to add an account or meter verification service.
- Enter the account or meter data to be verified.
- Identify the beneficiary's status as an owner, and complete the required data.
- Accept the consumption agreement and submit the request.
The company explains that the beneficiary owner can provide the title deed number and its date as part of the meter documentation procedures, while the service allows for managing accounts and monitoring consumption and bills electronically.
Second: How do you transfer the water account to your name?
The National Water Company provides an electronic branch that allows the owner to request the transfer of ownership of the property associated with water and sewage services to the new owner, by submitting the request and attaching the required documents. The basic steps include:
- Accessing the National Water Company's online branch ( service link ).
- Log in and select the service account associated with the property.
- Choose the property ownership change or transfer service.
- Attach the required documents, most importantly the title deed.
- Complete the service agreement and submit the application.
- Tracking the order status through the company's electronic channels.
Some cases may require additional documentation. For example, company guidelines may specify requirements for properties mortgaged to a financial institution or those owned by heirs. Therefore, it is advisable to review the list of requirements that appears when submitting the application and not assume that the required documents are the same in all cases.
Third: What documents should be prepared?
To facilitate the completion of applications, it is preferable to prepare the property data and service accounts before starting, which usually include: the electronic title deed or proof of ownership data, the new owner’s ID number or residence data as applicable, the electricity account number and water account number or meter data, the beneficiary’s registered contact data, and any additional authorization or document required by the company according to the property’s status.
The requirements vary depending on the type of service and the condition of the property, therefore the list of documents presented in the official channels remains the final reference before submitting the application.
Fourth: What should you do if previous bills or debts appear?
If outstanding amounts or invoices appear with unclear periods, do not automatically assume they are your responsibility or that the previous owner is responsible. Instead, ask the service provider to review the account and determine the nature of the amounts and the period associated with them, while keeping proof of the date of transfer of ownership.
It is also important to distinguish between transferring property ownership with the competent authorities and updating service account data, because completing one of the two procedures does not necessarily mean that all accounts related to the property have been updated automatically.
Fifth: Do the procedures differ if I am a tenant?
Yes, a distinction should be made between the owner who has acquired ownership of the property and the tenant occupying the unit under a lease agreement. In the latter case, the "Ejar" platform offers a "Financial Liability Transfer" service to transfer electricity and water meter accounts to the name of the actual beneficiary upon lease agreement registration, in accordance with the service's terms and conditions. ( Service link )
Updating electricity and water meter data is a crucial step in the process of moving into a new property. It helps regulate the relationship with service providers and identifies the account associated with the actual beneficiary. Ideally, this should be done immediately after the property transfer is complete, relying on official channels to determine the specific requirements for each case.
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