Utilities

rambla Active member

51POSTS

8 years ago

In terms of electricity (AEE) and water (AAA) getting turned on when you are a new home owner, is this something I can do online/phone? If not, is this information I found online (not on the uitilities site) still correct and current in your experience with AEE/AAA:

* Lease contract or deed
* Social Security Card
* Driver鈥檚 license
* Account number previous tenant or meter number.
* A deposit ranging from $125.00 to $200.00, depending on area, is required (AEE).
* A deposit ranging from $60.00 to $85.00, depending on area, is required (AAA).
* Connection of a new service may take up to 3 working days. (for both AAA & AEE)

I am REALLY hoping that I can do all this online/phone.

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sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

8 years ago

You have all the information in your question.聽聽If there a different way then you would know about it.聽 I have heard of businesses actually hiring a lawyer to do all this but it wipl cost you a minimum of $500 for this service

rambla Active member

51POSTS

8 years ago

Ok, SandraRDuncan thanks for confirming that the information I listed is correct, current and that the services cannot be turned on by phone/online. I wouldn't know about if there is a different way because I am not currently on the island. That will change soon though!

sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks for understanding. If there was a better way you would see that information posted
It is quite frustrating.聽 However the worse agency here to deal with is dtop ( pr depat of motor vehicles)聽 that place will suck the lofe out of you

rambla Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

It's all good. I love my island too much to sweat the small stuff. Everything balances itself out.

1 member reacted to this post

Sitka Serial expat

953POSTS

7 years ago

You鈥檙e right about dtop , very frustrating experience.聽 Even worse now, since the budget cut backs, many of the local offices have been closed. Thus citizens must travel to a distant office and endure extra long lines, it can take all day.聽
Fortunately for me, a local friend went with me and help navigate the system so we got done in a couple hours.聽聽I have been told that a expedited service is available for hire to process things聽 like car registration and title transfer for a fee.聽聽

rambla Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

DTOP pretty much is like the DMV here in the Bronx minus the friendliness.

rambla Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

sandrarduncan wrote:
You have all the information in your question.聽聽If there a different way then you would know about it.聽 I have heard of businesses actually hiring a lawyer to do all this but it wipl cost you a minimum of $500 for this service

I just wanted to inform you and update that there IS a way to have your water turned on by the internet. For those of you needing to know how please go to and select VIRTUAL OFFICE then SERVICE and click on button that says "DISCHARGE OF SERVICE Now you can request through the internet the activation of new water and/or sewer service." and follow the prompts thereafter. Hope this helps those of you who weren't aware of this.

4 members reacted to this post

sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

7 years ago

#10

Discharge means turned off.聽 Not turned on

rambla Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

#11

sandrarduncan wrote:
Discharge means turned off.聽 Not turned on

Silly, I know what it means. Which is why I specifically included in my post what鈥檚 written within that option for clarification 鈥淣ow you can request through the internet the activation of new water and/or sewer service.".

3 members reacted to this post

annabfalter Contributor

124POSTS

7 years ago

#12

Hi,

We just went through this with a house we bought in Guanica.聽 You have to go in person and you need to have all of the items in your list.聽 Plan to spend at least 1/2 day.聽 It is not difficult, just time consuming.聽 The Social Security card came as a surprise to us.聽 Fortunately, my husband carries his!

Ann

sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

7 years ago

#13

If you have lived in Puerto rico before and had an account before you dont have to jump through all of these hoops

mrtibbs Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#14

To make things simply clear for anyone reading these mixed responses for WATER|SEWER you can NOW request the activation ONLINE instead of waiting in line at the office. Just go to the website eambla listed and its all there in black n white. For ELECTRIC you still gotta go the office.

2 members reacted to this post

kctindall Member

1POSTS

7 years ago

#15

So, did you end up having to do your electric in person? We are moving from Texas.聽 We have already leased a home a Guaynabo, but I am trying to set up electric from afar. Realizing I may be fighting an uphill battle.

sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

7 years ago

#16

Mrtinns says you can do it online but inhave lived here almosr 4 yeras and this hasnt been our experience

lgustaf Serial expat

401POSTS

7 years ago

#17

You might already have electric at your place, kctindall, as it is often left on off after someone vacates, unless聽 requested to be turned off. So you won't move in to a dark聽 home.

You still must have the account transferred to your name. For us that meant actually going to the Electric Authority in person. Have your lease contract, ID, and (recommended, but not required) bank account info (open up an account in PR, if you haven't already -- something you'll want to do anyway) in hand.

If there is any balance left on the account (whether the electric聽 was turned off or not), you will need to pay it. The Electric Authority will not go after the previous account holder of record to pay up, even if he is the one delinquent on the account

The process is time-consuming, but not difficult. You'll likely need to wait your turn behind a dozen or so locals disputing their bills and taking hours of the clerks' time arguing with the Authority over a couple "overcharged" dollars. And a good many locals simply like to pay their bills in person, even though it can easily be done on line. So the offices are always crowded.

Once we got to see a clerk, it was over and done with in less than 5 minutes. The invoices are sent to our primary address in Georgia and we pay them on line.

sandrarduncan Serial expat

487POSTS

7 years ago

#18

Also you will need your social secuity card

lgustaf Serial expat

401POSTS

7 years ago

#19

Neither my husband nor I remember having to show an SS card. Maybe because we had our closing statement on the apartment, we didn't need to.

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The Puerto Rico expat guide

Comprehensive and free

Read it now

rambla Active member

51POSTS

7 years ago

#20

sandrarduncan wrote:
Mrtinns says you can do it online but inhave lived here almosr 4 yeras and this hasnt been our experience

SandraDuncan, please reread MrTIbss post where he clearly states that you have to go to the office to have the electric turned on. Don't see anywhere on here where he or anyone else suggests otherwise.

Also, I was able to have my water turned on online without having to step foot in the office. It was a simple and quick process. Times have obviously changed from the days you couldn't do this before (with AAA).

1 member reacted to this post