Tenant abandoned TNB and water bills — who pays?
Supplier liability follows the registered account holder. If the account is in the landlord's name (TNB or water), the landlord is on the hook first — recovery from the tenant is a separate landlord-tenant issue that depends on evidence, the tenancy agreement, and the deposit handling.
This is the quick-answer version of a fuller breakdown that the BM and ZH siblings cover in their respective languages.
How does account name change who pays first?
TNB and water operators both invoice the registered account holder. They do not chase a tenant who is not on the account. The landlord can recover from the tenant only after settling (or being invoiced for) the supply first.
| Scenario | Supplier looks to | Landlord action |
|---|---|---|
| TNB still under landlord name | Landlord | Pay or settle enough to protect supply, then recover from tenant |
| TNB moved to tenant by Change of Tenancy | Tenant | Keep COT record, final handover evidence, TA documents |
| Water under owner | Owner | Use final reading, itemised bill, deposit clause |
| Tenant refuses and still occupies | Account holder first | Document breach; lawful route only |
Why does Change of Tenancy matter?
Without a successful COT, the landlord stays as the registered TNB user even if the tenant caused the usage. COT is the cleanest fix at move-in; without it, the landlord's exposure is real.
| COT done? | What follows |
|---|---|
| Done at move-in | Tenant is the account holder; cleaner target for arrears |
| Not done | Landlord is the account holder; landlord pays first |
| Done late | Landlord's exposure covers the period up to COT |
What evidence do landlords need to recover from the tenant?
Four items cover most recovery cases. Each one strengthens the deposit deduction argument and any court claim that follows.
| Evidence | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Move-in meter reading photo | Anchors the start of the tenancy |
| Move-out meter reading photo | Anchors the end |
| Itemised final bill | Ties usage to a number |
| Tenancy agreement clauses | Defines who is responsible for utilities |
What not to do as a landlord?
Do not lock the tenant out. Do not disconnect water or electricity to force payment. Those are unlawful regardless of arrears. Use a written demand, then lawful court process.
| Wrong move | Why it's wrong |
|---|---|
| Lock the tenant out | Self-help eviction is unlawful |
| Disconnect utilities | Self-help, also unlawful |
| Remove tenant belongings | Conversion / theft risk |
How does SPEEDHOME help?
SPEEDHOME's managed claims process is for SPEEDHOME-managed tenancies. For unmanaged TNB arrears, the landlord runs the standard recovery steps above. If the original tenancy was SPEEDHOME-managed and ended badly, see the SPEEDHOME plans and claims page.
FAQ
If the tenant has left, can I just keep the deposit?
You can deduct only items the TA permits and only with evidence. Keep the rest refundable.
What if the tenant does not respond?
A written demand, then the dispute or court route. Small claims up to RM5,000 can be filed without a lawyer.
Can I recover utility arrears outside the deposit period?
Yes, but only with the correct evidence chain. Keep meter readings and itemised bills.
What if I am not on the TNB account?
Then TNB cannot chase you for unpaid usage. They will chase the tenant.
Does Zero Deposit help here?
Zero Deposit changes the upfront deposit handling, not the recovery process for unpaid utilities.