Ahmad Al-Khamali

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH – Electricity consumption bills will be issued in the name of tenants instead of landlords in the coming two months, according to Abdullah Al-Shahri, Governor of the Electricity and Co-generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA).



“The regulatory authority has notified the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to enforce its directive of linking electricity bills directly to the tenant within two months. The new move would help settle the problem of disputes between landlords and their tenants over electricity bills, especially when the latter leaves the residence without paying the bills,” he said.



According to the directive, Al-Shahri said, the tenant must pay the bill in accordance with the subscription number registered on the respective meter reader.



“The tenant will be fully responsible for the billed amount and the landlord will no longer be accountable for any non-payment. SEC will follow the same bill payment system followed by the Saudi Telecom Co.,” he said.



At present a foreigner cannot leave the Kingdom on a final exit visa without clearing his telephone bills. After the introduction of the new system, he should settle electricity bills also before getting a final exit.



Electricity charges are graduated according to monthly consumption, but only range between $0.03 and $0.06 per kilowatt/hour.