Transfer the electricity meter to your name after purchasing or inheriting a property.
Jurisdiction
All of India — processed by respective state Distribution Companies (DISCOMs); rules governed by state electricity regulatory commissions
Who applies
Any person who has purchased a property, inherited it, or received it as a gift and needs to transfer the electricity meter and billing account from the previous owner's name to their own name; also applies to divorce, separation, or death of the account holder
Typical time
15–30 working days from application to name change in system; expedited processing in some states within 7 days online
Fee
₹100–₹500 transfer / processing fee (varies by state); security deposit top-up may be required if the current deposit is below the rate for the new applicant's sanctioned load
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application form for name change / ownership transfer | Download / Print | DISCOM-specific form for requesting meter ownership transfer; available at the customer service centre or DISCOM website |
| 2 | Registered sale deed / property ownership document | Self-attested Copy | Primary proof of new ownership — the registered sale deed from the Sub-Registrar's office confirms legal ownership transfer |
| 3 | Identity proof of new applicant (Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID) | Self-attested Copy | Confirms the identity of the new account holder for DISCOM records and billing |
| 4 | Previous consumer's NOC / consent letter (if previous owner is reachable)(optional)Required in some states when the previous account holder is reachable; not required when the property has been registered through Sub-Registrar | Original | Written consent from the previous consumer authorising the name change; waived if the property has been registered in the new owner's name |
| 5 | Latest electricity bill (showing current consumer number and meter details) | Original | Identifies the specific meter and account for which the name change is being requested |
| 6 | Legal heir certificate or succession certificate (for inheritance)(optional)Required only in cases of inheritance or death of the previous account holder | Original | Required when the property is inherited after the death of the previous owner to establish legal heirship |
| 7 | Death certificate of previous account holder (for inheritance)(optional)Required only in cases of death of the previous account holder | Self-attested Copy | Required when the account holder is deceased; submitted with the legal heir certificate |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Check the existing electricity account for any outstanding bills or arrears using the consumer number on the DISCOM portal or at the customer service centre. Pay all pending dues in full. The DISCOM will not process a name change or transfer on an account with outstanding dues. Obtain a no-dues confirmation or ensure the bill is at zero before applying.
Download the name change / ownership transfer application form from the DISCOM's website or collect it from the nearest Customer Service Centre (CSC). Fill in the existing consumer number, the previous account holder's name, the new applicant's details, and the reason for transfer (sale, inheritance, gift, etc.). Attach all required supporting documents.
Submit the filled application and supporting documents at the DISCOM's Customer Service Centre (walk-in), or upload them via the DISCOM's online service portal. Some states (e.g., Karnataka on the BESCOM portal) offer a fully online name change process. Obtain an acknowledgement receipt with an application number for tracking.
Pay the name change / transfer processing fee as specified by the DISCOM. If the existing security deposit on the account is lower than what the DISCOM currently requires for the same sanctioned load, you may need to top up the deposit. Payment can be made at the CSC or online. Retain the payment receipt.
For higher-value properties or large-load connections, a DISCOM Junior Engineer may visit the premises to verify that the meter is intact, seals are unbroken, and the connection matches the records. For standard domestic connections, field inspection may be waived and the transfer is processed based on document review alone.
After processing, the DISCOM updates the consumer account with the new owner's name and contact details. A new consumer card (or digital confirmation) is issued. The next electricity bill is generated in the new owner's name. Update the consumer number and new email / mobile in the DISCOM's online portal for future digital billing.
DISCOM — Customer Service Centre
Application receipt, document verification, and fee collection
Accepts the name change application, checks documents, collects fees, and initiates the transfer process in the DISCOM's core system.
DISCOM — Distribution Division
Site verification (for selected cases)
Visits the premises to physically verify meter condition and connection integrity before the name change is approved.
DISCOM — Revenue / Accounts Section
Security deposit reconciliation and transfer fee processing
Calculates the transfer fee and security deposit differential and issues the demand note for payment.
Online name change application, document upload, fee payment, and tracking for Bengaluru and Karnataka DISCOM consumers
Name change, bill payment, and consumer account management for Maharashtra consumers
Name change and consumer services for Delhi consumers served by BSES distribution companies
Many buyers discover after purchasing a property that the seller had unpaid electricity bills. The DISCOM will not transfer the meter until all old dues are cleared, and the buyer — as new owner — may be stuck paying the previous owner's arrears. Always verify electricity dues status during property due diligence before sale.
If the electricity meter's seals are broken or the meter is found to be tampered, the DISCOM will register an electricity theft complaint against the property before processing any name change. Ensure the meter is in original condition when you take possession of a property.
Some DISCOMs offer a temporary name change for tenants (which does not transfer the security deposit). When the tenant vacates, the connection reverts to the owner's name. Ensure you understand whether you are applying for a permanent ownership transfer (requires sale deed) or a temporary tenant name change.
The security deposit paid by the previous electricity consumer is refundable to them, not to the new owner. The new owner must pay a fresh security deposit (or top up the existing one). Sellers should factor in the security deposit refund when settling property accounts.
After the name change, the billing account initially has the previous owner's mobile and email for communications. Update your contact details on the DISCOM portal immediately to receive bills and outage notifications. Failure to update can result in missed bills and unintended late fees.