What does "tukar nama TNB" actually mean?
Tukar nama TNB means running a TNB Change of Tenancy so the electricity account at your rented address moves into the new tenant's name, billed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad from a fresh opening meter reading. Submit the three required documents, pay the deposit (two months' estimated usage), the RM10 stamp duty and the processing fee, and you start your tenancy with no inherited arrears and a clean usage trail.
The phrase itself is Malay — tukar nama means "change name" — and it shows up most often from tenants who have just been handed keys and want to know who owns the electricity account from that day forward. The TNB side calls the same process "Change of Tenancy", and the rules and documents are identical whether you search in English or Malay.
TNB chases the registered account holder, not the person living at the unit. Until the change is processed, the previous tenant or the landlord is the one TNB holds responsible for any usage — including yours. Running the tukar nama on the same day you take the keys is what draws a clean line between the previous occupant's usage and yours.
TNB Change of Tenancy documents and fees (2026)
Three documents go in: the signed TNB Change-of-Tenancy application form, a copy of your MyKad with "For TNB Purpose Only" written on it, and the current TNB Declaration Form (2025 version). Three payments go out: a refundable deposit equal to two months of estimated usage, RM10 stamp duty, and a processing fee of RM3.00 (low-voltage / residential) or RM80.00 (medium/high-voltage).
You can apply either online through the myTNB portal or in person at the Kedai Tenaga nearest to the rented premises. The documents and charges are the same on both routes; online is generally faster because document-checking cases can hold up the counter queue.
| Requirement | What to bring or do | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Application form | Completed and signed TNB Change-of-Tenancy form | Confirm the premise address matches the tenancy agreement |
| MyKad copy | Both sides, write "For TNB Purpose Only" across the copy | Do not send unmarked MyKad copies over chat groups or to the landlord's inbox |
| Declaration Form | TNB Declaration Form, 2025 version | Download from myTNB; do not reuse an old saved PDF |
| Deposit | Two months' estimated electricity usage | TNB sets the amount; no single national RM figure applies to all units — confirm with myTNB for your specific premise |
| Stamp duty | RM10 | Fixed; keep the receipt with your tenancy file |
| Processing fee | RM3.00 (low voltage, most residential units) or RM80.00 (medium/high voltage) | Confirm your TNB premise type if unsure |
Source: myTNB portal, residential Change-of-Tenancy page, confirmed live 2026-06-20.
We deliberately do not quote a single deposit RM figure here. TNB calculates it from two months of estimated usage at the specific premise, so the ringgit amount varies by unit size and consumption pattern. The myTNB deposit page or a Kedai Tenaga quote is the live source when you apply.
TNB tariff from 1 July 2025: what changed and why it matters
From 1 July 2025, TNB replaced the old tiered block system with a flat component-based RP4 structure. The rate you used to pay per-kWh depended on your total monthly usage; from July 2025 it is a flat generation charge plus three other components regardless of volume tier.
The old system charged progressively higher rates per kWh as usage climbed — 21.80 sen for the first 200 kWh, rising to 57.10 sen above 900 kWh. The new RP4 structure removes the tiered penalty on higher usage and replaces it with a set of components:
| Component | Rate (from 1 July 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generation Charge (≤1,500 kWh/month) | 27.03 sen/kWh | Flat per-unit, no volume steps within this band |
| Generation Charge (>1,500 kWh/month) | 37.03 sen/kWh | Only for very high-use premises |
| Capacity Charge | 4.55 sen/kWh | Applied to all usage |
| Network Charge | 12.85 sen/kWh | Applied to all usage |
| Retail Charge | RM10/month | Waived entirely if your monthly usage is below 600 kWh |
| Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) | ±3 sen/kWh cap | Automatic fuel-cost pass-through; beyond ±3 sen requires government approval |
Source: TNB RP4 Tariff; dim03 §5.2; Last verified: 26 June 2026.
For most households using 1,000 kWh/month or less, bills are expected to remain similar or decrease slightly. The main practical change for tenants doing a tukar nama is that quoting a flat "market rate" from someone else's bill is less meaningful now — your bill will depend on your actual usage at your specific address, not on volume-band assumptions from the old tier table.
The address-report to a licensed credit agency with consent myth every landlord needs to know
TNB's arrears block attaches to the PROPERTY ADDRESS — not to the person. Transferring the electricity account into a new tenant's name does NOT clear a prior-address block. If the previous occupant left unpaid bills that flagged the address, the new tenant who runs a tukar nama at that address will still face the block until the arrears are settled.
This is the most misunderstood aspect of the Change of Tenancy process:
| Common belief | What actually happens |
|---|---|
| "I'll put the account in the tenant's name — that protects me if there are old arrears" | The address flag remains; a new account holder at the same address inherits the block, not the name-linked arrears |
| "I moved in and transferred the account to myself — I'm clean" | If the address was flagged for prior arrears, your new account at that address is still blocked until those arrears are cleared with TNB |
| "If the landlord's old arrears block the address, it's the landlord's problem, not mine" | Correct on liability — but the practical consequence (no new account, potential supply suspension) falls on whoever is trying to use the address |
The fix: before doing a tukar nama at any new address, ask the landlord to confirm the address has no outstanding TNB arrears. If the address does have arrears, those must be settled with TNB — a Change of Tenancy cannot work around an address-level flag.
Source: dim03 §5 address-report to a licensed credit agency with consent mine insight; Last verified: 26 June 2026.
"RM0.60 per kWh for aircon" — a mark-up, not a TNB rate
If your landlord or building management is charging RM0.60/kWh for sub-metered aircon in a condo or serviced apartment, that is a landlord-imposed mark-up — not an official TNB tariff. No official TNB residential or commercial schedule has ever listed RM0.60/kWh as an authorised rate.
TNB's official commercial Low Voltage rate from 1 July 2025 is the same component-based structure shown above — the all-in effective rate for typical commercial usage is well below RM0.60/kWh. Before July 2025 the commercial rate was 43.50–50.90 sen/kWh. There is no period in which TNB published a RM0.60/kWh retail rate.
What RM0.60/kWh actually represents is a landlord sub-metering arrangement where the landlord pays TNB at the commercial or bulk-meter rate and then charges tenants at a higher per-unit rate. Whether that sub-metering mark-up is enforceable, and what the ceiling is, is a separate legal question — but the starting point is that it is not a TNB rate you are required to accept on the basis that "TNB charges that much".
If you are being charged above the official TNB tariff for aircon, ask the landlord or management office for a copy of the actual TNB bill for the shared meter and the basis for the per-unit rate they are applying.
Source: dim03 §5.3 ❌ INCORRECT finding; Last verified: 26 June 2026.
Step-by-step: how to do a tukar nama TNB at move-in
Apply on the day of key handover (or up to a few days before), photograph the meter reading on the same day, and keep the new account number, deposit receipt and Declaration Form in the same folder as your tenancy agreement.
The order is what makes the change defensible later:
- Before move-in, landlord and tenant agree that the tenant will hold the TNB account under their name.
- Tenant gathers the signed application form, the MyKad copy marked "For TNB Purpose Only", and the 2025 Declaration Form.
- Apply via the myTNB portal online, or attend the Kedai Tenaga nearest to the premise with the full set of originals.
- Pay the deposit (two months' estimated usage), RM10 stamp duty and the processing fee (RM3.00 for most residential units).
- Record the meter reading on the same day the keys are handed over, and photograph it.
- Both parties save the new account number, receipts and meter photo in the tenancy file.
Do not hand over keys on a promise to "tukar nama later". If the transfer is delayed, the opening reading has to be backed by a date-stamped meter photo so there is no argument about which tenant used how much electricity during the gap. Skip the meter photo and the opening reading defaults to TNB's next scheduled read — exactly the kind of ambiguity that becomes a final-bill dispute at move-out.
Who does TNB chase if the bill is unpaid?
TNB chases the registered account holder, not the person using the electricity. If the tukar nama is not done and the account stays in the landlord's name, the landlord remains TNB's first point of contact for unpaid bills even after the new tenant has moved in.
The account-name decision at move-in determines who is exposed at move-out:
| Account setup | Who TNB deals with first | Main exposure | What to write in the tenancy agreement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenant holds TNB account | Tenant as account holder | Tenant must settle final bill and close account on move-out | Tenant pays all usage from the move-in meter reading; provides final bill proof before deposit return |
| Landlord keeps account | Landlord as account holder | Tenant uses electricity but landlord is exposed to unpaid bills | Tenant reimburses actual bills monthly with bank-transfer proof |
| Transfer delayed | Depends on account name during the gap | Move-in usage disputed if no meter reading was taken | Meter reading at key handover date settles the split |
| After tenant moves out | Account holder at the time | Final bill arrives after keys returned | Deposit reconciliation waits for the official final bill where possible |
If you manage multiple units, keeping accounts in tenant names is cleaner at scale. The landlord loses some direct TNB control, but the tenancy agreement and handover checklist carry the weight of protection.
One thing a landlord cannot lawfully do, regardless of whose name the account is in, is force payment by shutting off supply. A landlord cannot lawfully evict by self-help — locking the tenant out, removing doors, or disconnecting water or electricity — and recovery of possession must go through the lawful process. The boundary is covered in the can a landlord cut electricity or water in Malaysia guide.
What about water and the rest of the utilities?
Water accounts work the same way as TNB: the operator chases the registered account holder, and each state has its own provider. Run the change-of-account for water alongside the TNB tukar nama on the same move-in day, or close to it.
In Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya the water provider is Air Selangor (airselangor.com). In Penang it is PBAPP, in Johor it is Ranhill SAJ, and other states have their own operators. Each runs its own change-of-account process — typically MyKad plus a tenancy agreement — and no publicly confirmed national deposit figure applies across all of them. Sewerage (IWK) typically stays billed to the property owner regardless of who is in tenancy; write into the tenancy agreement whether sewerage charges are passed through to the tenant. For the wider view across electricity, water, sewerage and internet, see the managing utility bills guide.
The SPEEDHOME angle: Zero Deposit vs the TNB utility deposit
SPEEDHOME's Zero Deposit replaces the upfront cash rental security deposit. It is not a financial guarantee product. It does not replace the TNB utility deposit that the tenant pays directly to TNB — those are two separate move-in costs paid to two different parties.
Zero Deposit is SPEEDHOME's managed rental-risk system that replaces the upfront cash rental deposit, so tenants move in without tying up cash while landlords stay protected through rental protection instead of holding a deposit. For severe end-of-tenancy damage beyond fair wear and tear, the standard protection claims process applies. The TNB utility deposit is a separate cost paid directly to TNB at the tukar nama step, and stays with TNB until the account is closed and the final bill is settled.
Unusual electricity bills after move-in are worth investigating early. If a tenant's monthly TNB bill is far above what the unit should consume, the TNB crypto-mining risk guide explains what evidence matters and what the liability picture looks like for each party. Browsing rentals with clear move-in terms is at /rent.
FAQ
What does tukar nama TNB mean?
Tukar nama TNB is the Malay phrase for a TNB Change of Tenancy — moving the electricity account at your rented address into the new tenant's name. The same process, documents and fees apply whether you search for it in English or Malay.
What documents are required for a TNB Change of Tenancy in Malaysia?
The three documents are: completed and signed TNB application form, a MyKad copy with "For TNB Purpose Only" written on it, and the current TNB Declaration Form (2025 version). Bring these to the Kedai Tenaga or submit via myTNB online along with the deposit, RM10 stamp duty and processing fee.
How much is the TNB deposit for a Change of Tenancy?
TNB sets the deposit as two months of estimated electricity usage for the premise. There is no single national RM figure that applies to all units — the amount depends on the estimated consumption at that specific address. Check with myTNB or a Kedai Tenaga quote for the figure applicable to your unit.
Can I do the tukar nama TNB online?
Yes, apply through the myTNB portal where the online Change of Tenancy option is available. If your case needs counter service or document verification, use the Kedai Tenaga nearest to the rented premises. Online is generally faster.
What happens if the tenant does not transfer the TNB account?
If the account stays in the landlord's name, TNB continues to deal with the landlord for any unpaid usage — even though the tenant is using the electricity. The landlord then has to recover costs from the tenant through the tenancy agreement terms, not through TNB. This is why running the tukar nama at move-in protects the landlord from bill disputes later.
Who pays the final TNB bill when a tenant moves out?
The account holder is responsible to TNB first. If the account was transferred to the tenant, the tenant should settle the final bill and close or transfer the account on move-out. The tenancy agreement should state that the deposit is not returned until the final utility bill is produced and settled, and the move-out meter reading is recorded with a date-stamped photo.
Is the SPEEDHOME Zero Deposit the same as the TNB utility deposit?
No. Zero Deposit replaces the rental security deposit paid to the landlord. The TNB utility deposit is a separate move-in cost paid directly to TNB at the Change-of-Tenancy step, and is held by TNB until you close the account and settle the final bill. The two are paid to different parties and serve different purposes.
What changed with TNB's tariff from 1 July 2025?
TNB replaced the old tiered block system (where each additional kWh in a higher band cost more) with a flat component structure: Generation Charge (27.03 sen/kWh for ≤1,500 kWh), Capacity Charge (4.55 sen/kWh), Network Charge (12.85 sen/kWh), and a Retail Charge of RM10/month waived below 600 kWh usage. The Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) caps automatic changes at ±3 sen/kWh. For most households using under 1,000 kWh/month, bills are expected to be similar or slightly lower. The old tiered rates of 21.80–57.10 sen/kWh no longer apply. Source: dim03 §5.2; Last verified: 26 June 2026.
Does transferring the TNB account to the tenant's name clear any address-level report to a licensed credit agency with consent?
No. TNB's arrears block is applied to the property address, not to the person. A Change of Tenancy to a new tenant's name does not remove a prior-address arrears flag. The address-level arrears must be settled with TNB first before a clean account can be opened at that address, regardless of whose name the new account is in. Always confirm the address has no outstanding TNB arrears before signing a tenancy agreement. Source: dim03 §5 address-report to a licensed credit agency with consent insight; Last verified: 26 June 2026.
Is the RM0.60/kWh aircon rate I'm being charged an official TNB tariff?
No. RM0.60/kWh is not and has never been an official TNB residential or commercial tariff. If a landlord or condo management is billing aircon at RM0.60/kWh via a sub-meter, that is a landlord-imposed mark-up above the actual TNB rate. TNB's official commercial rate from 1 July 2025 is a component-based structure (generation at 27.03 sen/kWh plus capacity and network charges), well below RM0.60/kWh. Ask for a copy of the actual TNB bill and the basis for the sub-metering rate being applied. Source: dim03 §5.3; Last verified: 26 June 2026.