So you’ve found somewhere to live in the urban jungle of Istanbul – congratulations! Opening utility accounts is not that difficult but can be time-consuming if you don’t know where to go. Read on for information on how to connect the water, gas and electricity in your new pad.
What you’ll need
There are a few documents you should have ready when you start the process of connecting the utilities. These include:
- ID (residence/work permit, passport)
- DASK policy copy – this proves compulsory earthquake insurance is in place and should be obtained from the property owner
- title deed (tapu)/rental contract copy
- meter numbers – to ensure you’re connecting the right address; these can be obtained from the utility bills of previous occupants or by taking photos of the meters
- statement of registered residence (Yerleşim Yeri ve Diğer Adres Belgesi) – this can be obtained by registering at your local population office (İlçe Nüfus Müdürlüğü) with your ID and title deed/rental contract and should be your first task on getting the keys
- money for security deposits – these can be paid by installments added to your subsequent bills for electricity and gas accounts, but for water must be paid at the time of connection (current amounts can be found on the websites mentioned below)
It’s possible you won’t be asked to show all of the documents listed, but be prepared to provide them.
Connecting in person
Visiting the offices of each utility company is probably the most straight-forward way to get your accounts set up, although it will involve a bit of traipsing around. There are specific branches where you can open new accounts, and you need to go to the correct one based on the location of your property. You can find the office addresses at the respective utility company websites:
- CK Enerji Boğaziçi Elektrik (European side) / Enerjisa (Asian side) for electricity
- IGDAŞ (gas)
- ISKI (water)
Look for links to “abonelik işlemleri” on these sites for details of the process to open an account and documents/deposits required. Note that the English version of these sites often isn’t the full version – if you can’t find the information you’re looking for, try the Turkish language site (with the aid of a web browser translation extension, if necessary).
Once you know the locations, you’ll need to visit each office with your documentation in hand. Normally you take a ticket from a self-service kiosk (again, look for “abonelik işlemleri” or similar – if you’re uncertain, there is often a security guard nearby who can help) then wait your turn to see a customer service officer.
Useful phrases in Turkish
If you don’t speak Turkish and can’t find a Turkish speaker to assist, you may find the following phrases helpful (plug them into Google Translate to hear the pronunciation, if you need):
- Yeni eve taşındım: I’ve moved to a new house
- Kiracıyım: I am a tenant
- Yeni başvuru yapmak istiyorum: I would like to make a new (account) application
- Ingilizce bilen var mı?: Is there anyone who speaks English?
All going well, you’ll sign the contracts (check your details have been entered correctly) and the connections will be open virtually immediately, with a meter reader being sent to the property to do a final reading for the previous account holders (if any) within a couple of days. They may need to physically re-open the lines at the property if there has not been an active account recently; so be aware that there could be delays in this scenario.
Note that a new gas account requires a safety inspection of the kombi boiler system and any related appliances. The account holder needs to be present at the property to provide access for this, and it will occur within a few days of registering. The date/time for the appointment is notified in advance by text message to the mobile phone number you provide.
Online connection
It is also possible to arrange utilities connection online. This will save you the trouble of going to each of the individual company offices – but you will need to be present at the property to sign contracts and hand over the required documents, as well as provide access for the compliance inspection, if you are having the gas connected. Remember that the online systems may not have English versions, so you might need the help of a Turkish speaker or an automatic translation extension in your web browser.
To use the online services for utility companies, you’ll need to register with your Turkish identity number (T.C. Kimlik numarası) – for foreigners, this 11-digit number begins with “99” and can be found on your residence/work permit. Alternatively, you may be able to log in with e-Devlet, the online government gateway, or via Internet banking (with Turkish banks). Look for links to “online işlemler” or “e-şube” at the websites listed previously.
Note: The e-Devlet system now allows you to open new connections from a central point, via links to the utility companies at “Istanbul Belediyeleri“! Once you’re on a company page, look for the “abonelik başvurusu” option.
Once you’ve set up your online account(s), you will be able to apply for a new connection by entering your details and address. Within the next couple of weeks, an officer from the utility company will visit your home to collect your documents and have you sign a contract. For a gas connection, you will be able to choose a time for the inspection.
Things to keep in mind
If there are existing utility accounts at the property from previous occupants, you will not be able to arrange new connections online. You will need to visit the offices in person and provide proof of registration from the population office along with your rental contract/deed – this shows that you have the right to open new accounts at the address. Note that if there are any unpaid bills/charges from those previous accounts, you may be required to pay them before your new account can be opened. For this reason, it’s best to check the status of any existing accounts as soon as you have access to the property so that you can make sure they are paid by the previous occupants and not you!
If you are moving from one place to another, you can arrange disconnections for your previous property at the same time as you connect the new one. But note that your old deposits will be refunded separately (to your nominated bank account or via post office collection) which can take at least a week.
Moving into a newly-built place, you may find that there is no gas meter installed – bring this up with the landlord, as it is their responsibility to cover the associated costs.
Finally, know that this is not as difficult as it might sound and you’re following in the footsteps of many a yabancı before you. You do not need to pay anyone to do this for you and be aware that you may be overcharged for such a service. Head over to the Yabangee Facebook community if you need a hand!
This article was originally published in 2020 and updated March of 2022.
This helped thank you!