What is a TNB change of occupier and when does a tenant (or family) need it?
A TNB change of occupier is the official way to move the electricity account into a new name at the same premise — the new account holder, the new IC, the new deposits, the same meter. For tenants this means handing the account back to the landlord when a tenancy ends, or for the deceased tenant's next-of-kin, putting the account back into the landlord's name after death, so TNB stops chasing the wrong person.
TNB uses the same Change of Tenancy form for almost every move-in and move-out. Whether the trigger is a normal tenancy end, a mid-tenancy handover, or the death of the registered account holder (the search tukar nama TNB meninggal dunia lands here), the form, the documents and the fee are the same. The differences are who signs, who attends Kedai Tenaga, and what evidence of the change is attached.
This page covers the change-of-occupier flow that does not sit neatly on a normal tenant-move-in or move-out handover. For the everyday tenant move-in transfer, see the TNB Change of Tenancy guide and the TNB transfer tenancy walkthrough. For broader utility mechanics across electricity, water, sewerage and internet, see the managing utility bills guide.
What changes when a tenant dies or leaves mid-tenancy?
TNB still chases the registered account holder for unpaid bills. The sooner the family or landlord files the change of occupier, the sooner the bill stops landing on the deceased tenant's name and the sooner a responsible new account holder takes over.
The two practical triggers are:
| Trigger | Who usually files | Who becomes the new account holder | Evidence TNB wants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant dies mid-tenancy | Landlord (with the next-of-kin's consent) or the next-of-kin jointly | Landlord resumes the account at the same premise, or the family opens a new account in their name if they are taking over the tenancy | Death certificate copy, IC copy of next-of-kin, tenancy agreement, letter of administration / grant of probate where required |
| Tenant moves out without paying final bill | Landlord | Landlord, who then pursues the tenant through the tenancy agreement, not through TNB | Tenancy agreement showing move-out date, meter photo, final meter reading |
| Mid-tenancy handover to a new tenant | Incoming tenant with the outgoing tenant's cooperation | New tenant (most common), or landlord if the unit is briefly vacant | Signed Change of Tenancy form, IC copy of incoming tenant, 2025 Declaration Form |
| Tenant abandons the unit | Landlord | Landlord, until a new tenant is found and the form is filed again | Tenancy agreement, photo evidence, police report where appropriate |
TNB does not need a court order to record a change of account holder. It needs the right person to file the form with the right documents. The unregistered account holder keeps receiving bills and disconnection notices until the form is filed and the new account is issued.
What documents and fees apply to a change of occupier?
The required items are the signed Change of Tenancy form, the new account holder's IC, the current Declaration Form, the deposit (estimate-based, set per premise by TNB), stamp duty and the processing fee. TNB does not publish a single fixed RM figure for the residential deposit because the amount depends on the premise's estimated usage — confirm the exact figures on myTNB before paying.
| Item | What to prepare | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Change of Tenancy form | Completed and signed TNB form | Match the premise address and existing TNB account number exactly |
| IC copy | Copy of the new account holder's IC, marked "For TNB Purpose Only" | For a deceased tenant's file, attach the next-of-kin's IC and the death certificate copy |
| Declaration Form | TNB Declaration Form, current version | Download from myTNB; do not reuse an old saved PDF |
| Supporting evidence (death case) | Death certificate copy, letter of administration or grant of probate where available | Kedai Tenaga can advise on the minimum acceptable evidence for the specific case |
| Deposit | Estimate-based, set per premise by TNB | No fixed national RM figure applies to all units — confirm the current amount via myTNB |
| Stamp duty | Set by TNB's current fee schedule | Confirm the current amount via myTNB; keep the receipt with the tenancy file |
| Processing fee | Varies by voltage class (low vs medium/high voltage) | Confirm the current amount and the premise's voltage class via myTNB if unsure |
If the previous account number cannot be found, the previous bill or the myTNB app usually shows it. For older accounts where the previous holder is unreachable, Kedai Tenaga can trace the premise by address and meter number.
How do you actually file the change with TNB?
Submit the form through the myTNB portal where the option is available, or attend the Kedai Tenaga nearest to the rented premises. Kedai Tenaga is the safer route for death, probate and abandoned-unit cases because the counter officer checks the documents in person.
The recommended sequence for a change of occupier that is not a normal move-in:
- Confirm the new account holder. For a deceased tenant this is normally the landlord resuming ownership of the account, with the next-of-kin's consent if the family is still clearing the unit.
- Gather the signed form, IC copy of the new holder, the current Declaration Form, and the supporting evidence (death certificate, tenancy agreement, meter photo).
- Submit through myTNB if the case is straightforward, or attend Kedai Tenaga for death, abandoned-unit, or probate cases.
- Pay the deposit (if the new account holder has no existing TNB deposit at this premise), stamp duty and the processing fee — confirm the current amounts via myTNB.
- Record the meter reading on the day the change takes effect — for a death case, this is the day the unit is vacated and the keys returned.
- Wait for TNB to confirm the new account number. The change is only complete when TNB confirms it; until then, bills keep going to the registered holder.
Do not wait for the final bill to settle before filing the form. The form moves the account; the final bill is then settled between the right two parties (landlord and the deceased tenant's estate, or landlord and outgoing tenant) under the tenancy agreement, not at the TNB counter.
Who should be the new account holder, and how is unpaid usage recovered?
The new account holder is normally the landlord if the tenant has left (alive or deceased). The unpaid usage from the old account is recovered between landlord and the outgoing party under the tenancy agreement, the deposit, and the SPEEDHOME protection process — not at the TNB counter.
| Account setup after change of occupier | Who TNB contacts first | Unpaid-usage exposure | What to write in the tenancy file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landlord takes back the account | Landlord | Landlord absorbs any usage between move-out and the next tenant, then claims from the outgoing party under the tenancy agreement | Meter reading on key-return day, final bill proof, deposit reconciliation note |
| New tenant takes over immediately | New tenant | New tenant pays usage from their move-in meter reading only | Meter photo before move-in, new TNB account number, signed Change of Tenancy form |
| Account stays in deceased tenant's name | Deceased tenant's estate | Bills keep landing on a person who cannot pay; TNB may issue a disconnection warning | File the form promptly to end that exposure |
| Account closed entirely | No account | Supply disconnected at TNB's discretion until a new account is opened | Avoid this; the supply must stay on for any new tenant to move in |
For death cases, the landlord should still file the change of occupier promptly even if the family is cooperative. TNB's automated billing does not pause for probate; the longer the account sits in a deceased person's name, the harder the reconciliation becomes.
Browse Malaysian rental listings before signing a new tenancy so the TNB account name and the tenancy agreement align from day one.
Where does Zero Deposit fit into this?
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 tenant pays directly to TNB. 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 to TNB by the tenant as the new account holder and is refundable from TNB when the account closes cleanly. The tenancy agreement should make the split explicit so the tenant is not surprised by a separate TNB deposit on top of their rental deposit. For end-of-tenancy damage beyond fair wear and tear, the standard SPEEDHOME protection claims process applies, and is separate from the TNB account name change.
FAQ
What happens to the TNB account when a tenant dies in Malaysia?
The TNB account stays in the deceased tenant's name until someone files the Change of Tenancy form to move it. Bills keep arriving, and TNB's automated reminders do not pause for probate. The landlord or the next-of-kin should file the form with the death certificate copy and the IC of the new account holder (usually the landlord resuming the account) so the bill stops landing on a person who can no longer pay.
Who files the change of occupier when the tenant has died, the landlord or the family?
Either can, but the landlord is the more practical filer because the landlord is the person taking back the account at the same premise. The next-of-kin's signed consent and a copy of the death certificate are the supporting documents. Where there is a grant of probate or letter of administration, attaching a copy smooths the Kedai Tenaga counter review.
How long does a TNB change of occupier take?
Most myTNB cases are processed within a few working days when documents and payment are complete. Kedai Tenaga cases that need manual verification (death, probate, abandoned unit) can take longer. Confirm the new account number with TNB before relying on the change being done.
Can the landlord change the TNB name back to themselves after the tenant dies?
Yes, by submitting a Change of Tenancy with the next-of-kin's cooperation, or by closing the existing account and reopening one in the landlord's name at Kedai Tenaga. Recording the meter reading and the tenant's last bill proof before the keys come back makes this step clean.
Does the TNB change of occupier require a stamped tenancy agreement?
TNB does not require the tenancy agreement to be stamped as part of the Change of Tenancy submission, but the tenancy agreement should be stamped within 30 days of signing under the Finance Act 2024 stamp-duty scale for the landlord's and tenant's own legal protection. Keep the stamped agreement with the rest of the TNB file.
What if the previous tenant cannot be reached to sign the Change of Tenancy?
Where the tenant is unreachable, the landlord can still file the form at Kedai Tenaga by attaching evidence of the change (tenancy agreement showing move-out date, meter photo, final bill proof). For a deceased tenant, attach the death certificate and the next-of-kin's IC and consent. Kedai Tenaga decides the minimum acceptable evidence for each case.