Nak tukar nama TNB from old tenant to new tenant — do both parties need to be present?
Yes — TNB's Change of Tenancy needs both the outgoing tenant's IC and signature and the incoming tenant's IC, signed form and Declaration Form before the account can be re-registered in the new tenant's name. The transfer is not a single-step online switch; it is two separate TNB transactions stitched together with a dated meter reading on the handover day.
The phrase "kena ada dua pi" (Malay for "two parties are needed") is exactly right. TNB cannot move the electricity account from one private individual to another private individual without both names on the paperwork. The landlord's role is supervisory: they hold the tenancy agreement, witness the meter reading and sign the Change of Tenancy form, but they do not become the new account holder unless they choose to keep the account in their own name.
For the broader transfer workflow from the landlord's side, see the transfer TNB account to tenant guide and the full TNB Change of Tenancy guide. For a wider view of utility bills across electricity, water and sewerage, the managing utility bills guide covers the rest.
What does TNB actually change when the name moves from old tenant to new tenant?
TNB transfers the registered account holder from the outgoing tenant to the incoming tenant — the meter, wiring, supply and premise address do not change, only the person TNB bills, contacts and chases for unpaid usage.
| What changes at TNB | What stays the same |
|---|---|
| Registered account holder name | Meter number and physical meter |
| IC on the TNB account | Premise address and unit identity |
| Who TNB contacts for unpaid bills | Electricity supply and tariff category |
| Who is paid out the refundable TNB deposit | Wiring, meter board, premise type |
| Who can request reconnection or closure | Outstanding reconnection appointments |
The outgoing tenant does not need to "cancel TNB" the way they cancel a phone line. TNB closes the old account and opens the new one in the same Change of Tenancy request, provided both parties have signed the same form. If the two transactions are submitted separately, the unit has no registered tenant for the gap period — and any usage in the gap lands on whoever's name is on the account at that moment.
Which two forms does each party actually sign?
The outgoing tenant signs the Change of Tenancy form as the current account holder, the incoming tenant signs the same form as the new account holder, and both attach an IC copy and the current TNB Declaration Form (2025 version). The landlord signs as the property owner witnessing the change.
| Party | Sign on the Change of Tenancy form | Submit | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outgoing tenant (current account holder) | As "current account holder" | Signed form, IC copy, any arrears proof, final meter reading | Leaving without settling the final bill — TNB still chases the registered name |
| Incoming tenant (new account holder) | As "new account holder" | Signed form, IC copy marked "For TNB Purpose Only", current TNB Declaration Form (re-download on the day), deposit + stamp duty + processing fee per current myTNB schedule | Submitting an old saved Declaration Form PDF — always re-download |
| Landlord (property owner) | As "premise owner" or witness | Signed form, copy of tenancy agreement covering the handover date | Skipping the witness signature — TNB sometimes returns the file unprocessed |
TNB accepts the package through myTNB where the Change of Tenancy option is available, or at any Kedai Tenaga. The whole package is one transaction, not two — TNB closes the old account and opens the new one at the same time.
Who pays the TNB deposit when both names change?
The incoming tenant pays the TNB deposit (based on the premise's estimated electricity usage, as set by TNB), stamp duty and a processing fee for most residential units — the outgoing tenant does not pay again, but they must close their account cleanly so their existing deposit can be refunded. TNB sets the deposit amount per premise and the fee amounts are published on the current myTNB fee schedule; verify them on the day of application as they can change.
| Cost component | Who pays | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|
| TNB deposit (incoming tenant) | New account holder | Based on the premise's estimated electricity usage (set by TNB; verify on myTNB) | Yes — when the new account closes cleanly |
| Stamp duty (incoming tenant) | New account holder | Per current TNB fee schedule (verify on myTNB) | No |
| Processing fee (incoming tenant) | New account holder | Per current TNB fee schedule by voltage class (verify on myTNB) | No |
| Outgoing tenant's existing TNB deposit | Refunded by TNB to the outgoing tenant | The figure paid when they opened the account | Yes — after final bill is settled |
| Arrears at handover | Whoever used the electricity in the gap | Whatever the meter reading shows | n/a — paid once, then billed |
The outgoing tenant's existing deposit is paid back to them by TNB once their final bill is settled. That is why the meter reading on handover day matters: it splits the electricity used before keys changed hands from the electricity used after.
What if the old tenant has already moved out and is unreachable?
TNB still needs the outgoing tenant's IC copy and signed form, but the landlord can support by submitting a Change of Tenancy request with the tenancy agreement, the move-out meter reading and a written declaration of the handover date. TNB may ask the landlord to attend Kedai Tenaga in person for verification rather than accept a myTNB online submission in this case.
The clean way to avoid this scenario is to record the meter reading, take a photo of the old tenant handing back the keys, and submit the Change of Tenancy form on the same day the tenancy ends. If the outgoing tenant has left the country or simply will not engage, the landlord should:
- Send a written demand to the outgoing tenant's last known address asking them to sign the Change of Tenancy form within 14 days.
- Keep the move-out meter reading photo, the tenancy agreement and the key-return evidence in one folder.
- Visit the nearest Kedai Tenaga with the supporting documents and ask TNB how to process the change with one signature missing.
- Keep paying any electricity that is used in the gap, because the registered account holder is still the one TNB chases.
TNB does not move a tenancy account without some evidence of who the new occupant is. The tenancy agreement and the move-in checklist together usually meet that bar.
What evidence should both tenants and the landlord keep?
A dated meter reading photo on handover day, the signed Change of Tenancy form, both IC copies, the new TNB account number, the deposit and processing-fee receipt and the final bill proof. Without this set of documents, a later dispute about who used which kWh becomes memory versus memory.
| Document | Old tenant keeps | New tenant keeps | Landlord keeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signed Change of Tenancy form | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Move-out / move-in meter reading photo | Yes (move-out) | Yes (move-in) | Yes |
| Final TNB bill and deposit refund receipt | Yes | n/a | Yes |
| New TNB account number and receipt | n/a | Yes | Yes |
| Tenancy agreement covering the handover date | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Both tenants should keep their own copy. The landlord should keep a third copy alongside the tenancy file. The SPEEDHOME move-in checklist and the TNB receipt together are usually the cleanest evidence in any later dispute.
Where does Zero Deposit fit when both tenant names are changing?
Zero Deposit replaces the upfront cash rental security deposit — it is SPEEDHOME's managed rental-risk system, not a financial guarantee product, and it does not replace the TNB utility deposit that the new tenant pays directly to TNB at the Change of Tenancy. Those are two separate move-in costs run by two separate parties.
The rental deposit (or Zero Deposit on SPEEDHOME) protects the landlord against rent arrears and damage. The TNB deposit is paid by the incoming tenant to TNB, secures the electricity account, and is refunded by TNB when the new account closes cleanly. The tenancy agreement should make the split explicit so the new tenant is not surprised by a separate TNB deposit on top of their rental deposit.
For severe end-of-tenancy damage beyond fair wear and tear, the standard SPEEDHOME protection claims process applies — not the TNB account closure. The TNB deposit only secures the electricity account; it does not cover damage or rent.
Browse SPEEDHOME rentals and check the move-in terms before paying anything, so the TNB name change decision lines up with the tenancy agreement from day one. For the wider view, read the where to rent in Malaysia overview.
FAQ
Do both tenants need to be at Kedai Tenaga at the same time?
Not always. TNB accepts the Change of Tenancy package if both signatures are on the same form, even when the parties are not physically together. Kedai Tenaga only requires both people present when staff need to verify an original IC or witness a signature in person.
Can the new tenant start using electricity before the name change is processed?
Yes, the supply stays on, but any electricity used before TNB confirms the transfer is billed to whoever's name is on the account at that moment. If the old tenant's name is still on the account, that bill lands on the old tenant — which is why meter readings on handover day matter.
What happens to the old tenant's TNB deposit when the new tenant takes over?
TNB refunds the old tenant's existing deposit (less any unpaid final bill) once their account closes cleanly. The new tenant pays a fresh deposit at the Change of Tenancy. The two amounts are kept separate because they sit with TNB in two different account-holder names.
How long does the Change of Tenancy take when both tenants have signed?
Most myTNB cases with complete documents and payment are processed within a few working days. Counter cases at Kedai Tenaga may complete the same day for straightforward residential premises. Confirm the new account number with TNB before relying on the change being done.
What if the old tenant refuses to sign the Change of Tenancy form?
Document the refusal in writing, keep the tenancy agreement and the move-out meter reading, and visit Kedai Tenaga with the supporting documents. TNB may process the change with the landlord's evidence alone, or advise on the next step if it cannot. The new tenant should not assume the transfer is done until TNB confirms the new account number.