Utility Transfer Decision Framework After Property Purchase
This record is a decision tool rather than a list of risks. For each service—water, electricity and gas—use one of three outcomes: Proceed when evidence is sufficient, Proceed with Conditions when a known gap has a remedy, owner and deadline, and Stop when identity, payment-channel or essential legal/technical requirements cannot be verified. Do not issue one combined answer for all utilities; electricity can be ready while gas still needs a technical appointment.
Gate 1: Do the property and meter identities match?
You need a consistent official address, independent-unit number and meter/consumption-point identifier supported by the provider account or bill and the handover photo. If all match, pass the gate. If a missing identifier can be obtained from building management or the provider, continue conditionally. If the meter belongs to another unit or a conflict cannot be resolved, Stop.
Gate 2: Is the former account status clear?
If the previous user’s contract is closed or a documented termination is in progress with a reference, the process can move forward. If it remains active but the seller can close it by a defined date, make the new activation conditional on evidence. If the account holder cannot be reached or refuses termination and this blocks the new contract, do not rely on the handover schedule until the provider resolves the issue.
Gate 3: Is there a defensible handover reading?
A dated image showing meter number and reading creates the best operational starting point. If it is missing but both parties can take a joint reading before new consumption begins, the gap is curable. If the new occupancy has already started with no evidence separating consumption, record the billing risk and create an objection/settlement plan rather than pretending the starting point is known.
Gate 4: Is DASK ready where required?
For in-scope water and electricity subscriptions under Law No. 6305, lack of a valid DASK means the application file is not ready. If issuance or renewal is a straightforward pre-application step, Proceed with Conditions may be appropriate. If policy mismatch reveals a property-address identity problem, resolve that identity issue first.
Gate 5: Has the competent official provider/channel been identified?
Use e‑Devlet or the provider’s official site. Where market structure creates several company names, distinguish the responsible distribution/service company from the contractual supplier as relevant. A payment or document request delivered through an unverified link does not pass this gate.
Gate 6: Are deposits and costs known?
A security deposit is not a reason to stop if the current amount and terms are official and the buyer can fund them. It becomes a decision issue when the budget is constrained or the requested amount/payment channel cannot be reconciled with provider information. Use EPDK and the current provider rather than the seller’s historical deposit.
Gate 7: Has the application become an active contract?
An application number alone is not success. Final readiness requires an acceptance/activation result or an official status explaining the remaining technical step. For an immediately rentable property, a short pending period can be accepted only when the completion date is controlled and does not breach the tenant handover promise.
Gate 8: Does the first bill validate the transfer?
After activation, audit customer name, address, account, billing period, opening reading and use/tariff category. If correct, close the file. If a small, documented issue is under formal correction, keep it conditional. If the bill belongs to another meter or contains substantial unexplained pre-handover consumption, reopen the verification.
Decision matrix
- Proceed: identity, former-account closure, official requirements and activation all pass, with no material unresolved amount.
- Proceed with Conditions: a specific curable gap remains before use, with a named owner, deadline and required evidence.
- Stop: meter/address identity is unresolved, the payment channel is suspicious, a legal/technical requirement blocks application, or account conflict may allocate unknown consumption to the buyer.
Conclusion: a good decision is not based on “the utilities are on.” It is based on whether each new account can be tied to the correct property, user, meter and date, with any remaining gap expressly controlled rather than carried silently into possession.