Setting up utilities and home services after returning to India: electricity, gas, internet, water, and the apps that manage it all
Electricity, piped gas, broadband, and water setup in India's metros is now largely digital. Here's what needs to be done when you move into a new flat, what's transferable from the landlord, and what to set up fresh.
Shivang BadayaCo-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, RoviaMoving into a new flat in India involves a series of setup tasks that are simpler than they were 10 years ago — most are now app-based or online — but they're not automatic. Here's what you need to do in the first week, city by city where relevant.
Electricity: first priority
Power is essential for everything else. On move-in:
If the connection is in the landlord's name (most common for rentals):
- The landlord gives you the meter number and consumer number
- You pay bills either through the landlord (landlord collects and pays board) or directly via the board's app/website
- For a long-term stay (1+ year), request a name transfer — this gives you direct billing and avoids disputes
If you need a new connection (unlikely for a flat already occupied):
- Visit the local electricity board office or apply online
- Documents: ownership proof (for owner) or rental agreement (for tenant), Aadhaar, passport photo
- Application fee: ₹500–2,000 depending on load sanctioned
- Processing: 7–21 days
City-wise electricity boards:
| City | Board | Bill payment app |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | BESCOM | BESCOM app; also GPay/PhonePe/Paytm |
| Mumbai | MSEDCL (suburbs), Tata Power, Adani Electricity | Each has its own app |
| Delhi | BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna, TPDDL | BSES app, Delhi BJP app |
| Hyderabad | TSSPDCL, TSNPDCL | TSSPDCL app or PhonePe/GPay |
| Pune | MSEDCL | MSEDCL app |
Auto-debit setup: register your electricity consumer number on PhonePe or Google Pay. Both support scheduled utility payments — set it up to auto-pay on bill generation. Avoids missed payments and power cuts.
Power cuts: still happen in parts of metro peripheries. If your area has frequent cuts:
- Most mid-to-high-end apartments have diesel generator backup for common areas; individual flats may need an inverter + battery (₹15,000–40,000 for a 2–3 hour backup solution)
- Check cut frequency for the area before renting
Broadband: the most important utility
India's home internet is now genuinely fast and inexpensive. In 2026:
- 100 Mbps plans start at ₹400–600/month
- 300 Mbps: ₹700–900/month
- 1 Gbps: ₹1,000–1,500/month
Top choices:
Jio Fiber: most widely available; plug-and-play installation; comes with Jio set-top box; OTT bundles on higher plans. Book at jio.com → Jio Fiber → Check Availability (enter pin code).
Airtel Xstream Fiber: strong in premium areas; better upload speeds (important for calls/video conferences); higher plan bundles include Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar. Book at airtel.in → Broadband.
ACT Fibernet: strong in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai; competitive pricing; no OTT bundling but sometimes better speeds at lower prices.
Installation timing:
- Jio Fiber: 24–48 hours from booking in most metros
- Airtel: 2–4 days
- ACT: 1–3 days
Router placement: Indian flats are often concrete construction with thick walls — WiFi range is shorter than US drywall construction. For a 3BHK, budget for either a mesh system (Eero, Google Nest Wifi — available in India via Amazon) or position the router centrally. TP-Link Deco mesh systems (₹8,000–15,000) are good value.
Piped gas or LPG
Piped Natural Gas (PNG) — where available: PNG is cleaner, cheaper per unit, and more convenient than LPG cylinders. It's available in most new housing societies in metros.
- Apply at your city's gas distributor website (MGL, IGL, BGSL, etc.)
- Required: proof of residency (rental agreement or ownership), Aadhaar
- Security deposit: ₹5,000–10,000 (refundable on disconnection)
- Installation: 2–4 weeks; a meter is installed in your kitchen/utility area
- Monthly bill: ₹300–800 for typical cooking usage; paid online like electricity
LPG cylinders (where PNG isn't available):
- Register with Indane (IOC), HP Gas, or Bharat Gas
- Register at the nearest distributor with Aadhaar + address proof
- First connection: ₹2,000–3,000 (security deposit for regulator + gas; partially refundable)
- Per cylinder: ₹900–1,200 (14.2 kg; book via app when running low)
- Book refills: Indane's app, HP Gas app, or text/call the distributor
One cylinder lasts: 4–6 weeks for a family of 4 with typical Indian cooking.
Water supply
In most apartment societies, water is supplied by the municipality (BBMP, BMC, etc.) and pumped to a rooftop overhead tank via society management. You don't separately set up water — it's included in society maintenance fees.
What you may need separately:
- Water purifier (RO/UV): drinking water quality in Indian metros is not reliable enough to drink tap water directly. Install an RO+UV water purifier within the first week. Kent, Aquaguard/Eureka Forbes, Havells, LivPure — widely available; ₹8,000–20,000 purchase or ₹800–1,500/month rental. Rental is convenient (maintenance included).
- Water dispenser: for families that want hot/cold water on demand; ₹5,000–15,000 purchase.
Areas with water issues:
- Bengaluru: Kaveri water supply is strained; outer ring road areas have water truck dependency. Ask specifically about water supply before renting.
- Delhi: hard water (high TDS) — RO purifier essential; also damages appliances over time (scale buildup in geysers, washing machines).
- Mumbai: generally better municipal supply.
Home appliances: 220V India vs 110V US
If you shipped appliances from the US (see the customs and baggage guide):
Safe to use:
- Laptops and chargers (universal 100–240V)
- Most recent smartphones and chargers
- Tablets
Not safe without a voltage converter:
- Hair dryers and styling tools (US 110V)
- Kitchen appliances: stand mixers, food processors (110V)
- Power tools
Voltage converters (110V → 220V step-down) work for some appliances but are bulky and can overheat for high-power devices. Generally, it's simpler to buy Indian-spec appliances.
Recommended first purchases:
- Refrigerator: Samsung, LG, or Haier (220V, frost-free); ₹15,000–50,000
- Washing machine: LG or Samsung front-load (best performance); ₹25,000–60,000
- AC: Daikin, Voltas, LG (3-star or 5-star BEE rating — higher star = lower electricity bill); ₹32,000–75,000 per unit
- Geyser: Racold or AO Smith instant water heater; ₹3,000–8,000
All major electronics are available on Amazon India with next-day delivery in metros. Flipkart, Reliance Digital, and Croma are retail alternatives.
Society: what to do immediately
On Day 1 of moving in:
- Get society secretary's number — add to WhatsApp
- Join the society WhatsApp group (secretary will add you)
- Register vehicle (if you have one) with security — sticker for your car windshield
- Get visitor management app credentials (many societies use MyGate or ApnaComplex)
- Note emergency contacts: security desk, electrician, plumber (society usually has empanelled vendors)
Monthly society maintenance: pay via the society's NEFT details or via the society management app (ApnaComplex, MyGate). Keep receipts — it's deductible against rental income if you later rent the flat out.
Related: The returning NRI master guide · Cost of living in Indian metros · Customs and baggage rules when returning
Frequently asked questions
- Who pays the electricity bill when renting — me or the landlord? ▾
- The tenant pays electricity bills directly to the electricity board. When you move in, the landlord transfers the electricity connection into your name (for long-term tenancies) or you pay under the existing connection with the landlord's account (for shorter stays). For a connection transfer: submit Form TC (Transfer of Connection) at the local electricity board office with your rental agreement, Aadhaar, and a recent bill. Most electricity boards (BESCOM in Bengaluru, MSEDCL in Mumbai, BSES in Delhi) have online bill payment — set up auto-debit on Day 1 so you never miss a payment. Missing a bill causes a power cut, and reconnection fees are ₹500–2,000.
- How do I get a broadband connection in India? ▾
- Jio Fiber and Airtel Xstream Fiber dominate the home broadband market in metros. Both offer 100–1,000 Mbps plans at ₹400–1,500/month. Book online at jio.com or airtel.in — installation typically takes 1–3 days. Jio Fiber comes with an OTT bundle (JioCinema, etc.); Airtel Xstream includes Amazon Prime and Disney+ Hotstar for higher plans. If your building has a society broadband provider (common in gated communities), check their rates — society-negotiated rates are sometimes better. BSNL fiber is technically available but installation and maintenance are slower than private carriers.
- Is piped gas (PNG) available and how do I connect? ▾
- Piped natural gas (PNG) is available in most metro and Tier 1 cities through city gas distributors: Mahanagar Gas (Mumbai), Indraprastha Gas (Delhi NCR), GAIL Gas (Hyderabad), Adani Gas (Ahmedabad), and Bengaluru Gas Supply (BGSL). If your building has a PNG connection, you simply need to apply for a domestic connection: apply online or at the PNG distributor's office with ownership/rental proof, Aadhaar, and pay a security deposit (₹5,000–10,000, refundable). Installation: 2–4 weeks. If PNG is not available, use LPG cylinders (Indane, HP Gas, Bharat Gas) — book via their app or customer service. LPG cylinder costs ₹900–1,200 per 14.2 kg cylinder.
- What is a housing society and what do I pay them? ▾
- Most apartments in Indian metros are part of a cooperative housing society or Resident Welfare Association (RWA). As a tenant or owner, you pay monthly maintenance charges to the society: ₹2,000–15,000/month depending on the building quality and facilities. Society fees cover: elevator maintenance, security guards, common area cleaning, water pumps, generator backup for common areas, and society administration. Larger societies with more amenities (gym, pool, club house) charge more. These are not included in rent — you pay them separately. Get the society contact, secretary number, and payment method on Day 1.
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About the author
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rovia
CFA charterholder with 10+ years across hedge funds and NRI fintech. Covers RSU taxation, equity comp, and cross-border investing for Indian residents. Ex-JP Morgan, Makrana Capital, Zolve.
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