Utilities in Egypt, Electricity, Water, Gas and Internet in a Rental
Housing5 min read
In an Egyptian flat electricity is often paid in advance with a card, gas comes through a pipe or in a cylinder, and water is sometimes paid by the owner. Here is how it all works and what to agree on when you move in.
Who pays for utilities
There is no single rule. Most often the tenant pays for electricity, gas and internet, while water and building maintenance are sometimes included in the rent. It can also be the other way round: the owner includes everything in the price, especially for daily or short rentals.
So before signing, find out which meters the flat has, who tops them up and how, and whether there are any debts. Put this in the agreement, more about it in how to rent a flat in Cairo.
Electricity and the prepaid meter
Many buildings have prepaid electricity meters with a plastic card. You load money onto the card in advance, insert it into the meter, and the meter uses up the balance. When the money runs out, the power goes off, so keep an eye on the balance on the meter display.
Older buildings still have ordinary meters with a monthly bill, which is paid at the office of the electricity company or through payment services. A prepaid card can be topped up in several ways.
- At the office of your local electricity distribution company.
- At Fawry points, found in many shops and kiosks.
- In some bank and payment apps with NFC: you hold the card against the phone.
Why the balance drops right after a top-up
With the first top-up of the month, the meter automatically deducts a customer service fee. Its size depends on how much you used the previous month. Along with it, a cleaning fee and government stamp duties may be taken, as well as instalments for the meter or old debts.
If previous tenants left a debt, it may be taken from your first top-up. So when moving in, ask the owner to show that there are no debts and take a photo of the meter balance.
Electricity tariffs in 2026
The household tariff is tiered: the more you use in a month, the more each kilowatt-hour costs. In summer air conditioners push consumption up, and the bill can move into a more expensive tier.
Tariffs changed twice in 2026. In April electricity became more expensive for flats with high consumption, and in early August the Ministry of Electricity raised household tariffs by 12% on average. The first tier, up to 50 kWh a month, stayed the same at 68 piasters.
A separate case is the so-called «code» meters. They are installed in buildings whose legal status has not been settled. Since April 2026 they have a single tariff of 2.74 pounds per kWh from the very first kilowatt, which is more expensive than usual. Ask the owner which meter the flat has. Check current tariffs on the website of the Ministry of Electricity or with your electricity company.
Water
In ordinary buildings water is billed by a meter, sometimes one shared by the whole building, and the bill is often paid by the owner or split between the flats. Some new cities have prepaid water meters with a card, topped up through apps and payment services such as Sahl, Aman or OPay.
Check the water pressure and the water heater before you move in. Hot water usually comes from an electric or gas heater in the flat, so it shows up on your electricity or gas bill.
Gas, pipe or cylinder
In many areas natural gas is piped to buildings. It is paid by bill or through a prepaid meter with a card, which can be topped up, for example, at Fawry points.
Where there is no pipe, the cooker runs on a butane cylinder. Since March 2026 the official price of a 12.5 kg household cylinder has been 275 pounds at the depot, and home delivery costs more. Ask the owner where to swap the cylinder and whether there is a spare one.
Check the cooker and the water heater when you move in. If you smell gas, turn off the valve, open the windows and do not switch on lights or electrical appliances.
Internet
Home internet usually runs over a landline, and the contract is often already in the name of the owner. Packages come with a monthly data quota.
In May 2026 the telecom regulator NTRA allowed prices of some packages to rise by 9 to 15% and required operators to introduce a basic home internet package at 150 pounds a month. More about providers and routers in SIM cards and internet in Egypt.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- The power went off at night. Keep a reserve on the card and top it up in advance, especially before holidays and weekends.
- The card was lost or stopped working. Tell the owner straight away and contact the electricity company together.
- The flat stood empty for a long time. Even with no consumption the meter takes a small minimum fee every month, and the first top-up will cover several months at once.
- A huge bill in summer. Air conditioners raise consumption a lot. Set 24 or 25 degrees instead of 18 and keep windows and curtains closed during the day.
- A dispute at check-out. Photograph the meter balances when you move in and when you leave, and keep top-up receipts.
How Tullab helps you settle in
Looking for a flat where utilities are already included? Browse flat rentals and ask the owner right away what the payment covers. An air conditioner, water heater or cooker can be found in home appliances.
Renting out a place yourself? Post a free listing and state honestly which bills the tenant pays.
