Common utility services in Iran include electricity, gas, and water. Many homes also have a landline connection which can be used for making calls and ADSL or fibre optic internet subscriptions. Bills are not included in the rental payments and the tenant is required to pay these separately.
The billing frequency is not fixed, but generally does not exceed two or three months. Unlike in many other countries, if the bill is not paid immediately, the balance will be automatically transferred to the following bill and only when the amount due is deemed too high are warnings sent and the supply cut off.
Paying Your Bills
Recent changes in the system have eliminated paper bills. Instead, occupants are now notified of their dues through SMS text messages. To ensure receipt of these notifications, it is essential to register one’s mobile number with the relevant utility provider, which can usually be done through their website, SMS, telephone, or by visiting a local ‘Government Counter Office’ (daftar peeshkhan dawlat) which are located throughout the city and provide various utility and postal services. Bills can be paid easily using banking apps or third party payment platforms such as Digipay or Asan Pardakht (see the Practical Info chapter for more details on Apps). If these methods are not possible, one can pay at an ATM or by cash at one of the government counter offices.
Meter Readings
Meter readings are typically conducted by utility provider representatives who visit the building and request access to obtain accurate readings. As the meters are usually situated in a shared area of the building or the front garden, it is uncommon for them to need entry into private residences. In the event a meter reader cannot access the meter for any reason, the occupant may need to provide meter readings to the utility provider themselves, either by telephone or SMS.
Shared Bills
Apartments in an apartment building will have separate meters for each of the utility services, however, in older buildings such as villas, the meter for any one utility may be shared between all or some of the residents. In such a situation, the bill is divided equally, either between: a) the number of floors consisting of separate units, or b) the number of residents. For example, if a villa consisted of three floors (each with a separate unit) and the electricity bill was $15, the bills could be divided as:
Division by Floors
| Floor | Share |
|---|---|
| Floor 1 | $5.00 |
| Floor 2 | $5.00 |
| Floor 3 | $5.00 |
| 3 floors | $15.00 |
Division by Residents
| Floor | Calculation | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Floor 1 (2 residents) | ($15 ÷ 10) × 2 | $3.00 |
| Floor 2 (5 residents) | ($15 ÷ 10) × 5 | $7.50 |
| Floor 3 (3 residents) | ($15 ÷ 10) × 3 | $4.50 |
| 10 residents | $15.00 |
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