Setting up utilities in Hong Kong is one of the first practical tasks after signing your tenancy agreement. The good news is that Hong Kong has reliable infrastructure across the board, and most accounts can be opened online within a few days. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your electricity, gas, water, and internet connected before you move in.
Electricity: CLP Power or HK Electric
Hong Kong has two electricity providers, and which one you use depends entirely on where you live. CLP Power serves Kowloon, the New Territories, and most outlying islands. HK Electric covers Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island. There is no choice between them: your address determines your provider.
To open a residential account, you need your HKID card or passport and a copy of your signed tenancy agreement. Both providers accept applications online, by phone, or in person. CLP typically processes applications within three working days.
The deposit is calculated based on 60 days of estimated electricity consumption. For new accounts with no usage history, the amount is assessed based on the floor area of your flat. Expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand Hong Kong dollars depending on the size of the property. CLP offers a 30% deposit discount if you set up bank autopay within your first year of supply, and the discounted amount is automatically refunded to your account.
Billing runs on approximately a 60-day cycle. Payment options include autopay, online banking, PPS, and in-person payments at convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Circle K.
Gas: Registering with Towngas
Towngas is the sole piped gas supplier for the entire territory. If your flat has a gas stove or gas water heater, you will need a Towngas account.
To register, you can apply through the Towngas eService Centre online, call the customer service hotline at 2880 6988, or visit a customer centre in person. You will need your HKID card or passport and a copy of your stamped tenancy agreement. A stamped agreement is important here: Towngas specifically requires it as proof of your right to occupy the premises. If you have not yet stamped your tenancy agreement, see our guide to stamp duty for tenants in Hong Kong.
The security deposit is HK$600 for private housing or HK$300 for public housing estates. This deposit is refundable when you close your account. Towngas may arrange a safety inspection of the gas appliances before turning on the supply, particularly if the flat has been vacant for some time.
Water: The Utility Your Landlord May Handle
Water in Hong Kong is managed by the Water Supplies Department (WSD), a government department under the Development Bureau. Unlike electricity and gas, many landlords in Hong Kong keep the water account registered in their own name and simply pass the cost on to the tenant as part of the management fees or through periodic reimbursement.
Before you apply for your own water account, check with your landlord or property agent. If the landlord is handling it, you do not need to do anything.
If you do need to set up your own account, you can apply online through the GovHK portal, by phone, or in person. You will need identification and a copy of your tenancy agreement. The deposit is HK$400. If water has been disconnected at the property, an additional reconnection fee of HK$240 applies. Processing is fast, typically within 15 minutes once all documents are submitted.
Water bills are issued every four months. The first 12 cubic metres of water per four-month period are provided free of charge for domestic accounts, which covers basic usage for a small household.
Internet and Broadband
Hong Kong has some of the fastest and most affordable broadband in the world, with fibre-optic connections available in the vast majority of residential buildings. The main internet service providers are HKBN, PCCW/HKT, HGC, SmarTone, and i-Cable.
Speeds of 1 Gbps are standard for most residential plans, with 2 Gbps available in newer buildings. Pricing for a 1 Gbps plan typically starts around HK$150 to HK$200 per month, though promotional rates can be lower. All major ISPs offer unlimited data on residential plans.
The most important thing to check before signing is building coverage. Not every ISP covers every building, and in older walk-up buildings your options may be limited to one or two providers. Visit the ISP’s website and enter your address to check availability before committing. Your property agent or building management office can also tell you which providers have infrastructure in your building.
Contract lengths range from 12 to 36 months. If your work visa or tenancy agreement is shorter than the contract period, negotiate a shorter term or ask about early termination fees. Some ISPs offer flexible month-to-month plans at a higher monthly rate.
Installation typically requires an appointment and takes one to two hours. Order your broadband at least two weeks before your move-in date to ensure the engineer visit is scheduled in time. You will need someone present at the flat during the installation window.
Most ISPs include a basic Wi-Fi router with the plan, but the provided router may not cover a larger flat well. If your apartment is more than about 700 square feet, consider getting your own mesh Wi-Fi system for better coverage in bedrooms and far corners. The included router is usually sufficient for a studio or one-bedroom flat.
Your Move-In Utilities Checklist
Getting all your utilities set up before move-in day makes the transition much smoother. Here is a practical timeline to follow after signing your tenancy agreement.
Immediately after signing the lease: apply for electricity (CLP or HK Electric) and register with Towngas for gas. Both typically process within a few working days. Confirm with your landlord whether you need to set up a water account or whether they handle it.
Two weeks before move-in: order your broadband and schedule the installation appointment. This is the utility most likely to cause delays because it requires an engineer visit.
On move-in day: verify that electricity and gas are active. Test all switches and gas appliances. If Towngas has arranged a safety inspection, this may happen on your first day.
Within the first month: set up autopay for all utility accounts to avoid missing payments and to qualify for any deposit discounts (CLP’s 30% deposit refund, for example, requires autopay within the first year). Keep all deposit receipts in a safe place, as you will need them to claim refunds when you eventually move out.
A note on payment methods: all major utility providers in Hong Kong accept autopay via bank account, online banking transfers, PPS (a local phone-based payment system), and in-person payments at convenience stores including 7-Eleven and Circle K. Setting up autopay from the start is the simplest approach and ensures you never miss a payment while adjusting to life in a new city.
If you are still deciding on a neighbourhood, our guide to the best areas in Hong Kong for expats can help you narrow down your search before you start setting up utilities.
