Delhi residents purchasing property will no longer have to run from pillar to post to get electricity connections transferred in their names, as discoms will automatically mutate them using ownership data shared by sub-registrar offices under an amended DERC regulation, officials said on Friday.
Discoms must complete name change within two billing cycles
An amendment of Sub-Regulation (1) of Regulation 17 of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Supply Code and Performance Standards) Regulations, 2019, also stipulates that discoms will have to effect the name change within two billing cycles.
If the power distribution companies (discoms) fail to do it in the given time period, they would be liable to pay compensation to the applicant, as per the amendment.
In a recently issued notification, the DERC said that if any applicant wants a transfer of connection due to a change of ownership of the property, or transfer to a legal heir, he or she will have to apply to the discom concerned in a prescribed format.
New system to reduce paperwork for property buyers
The discoms, after receiving the details of the seller (name, consumer account number) and the buyer (name, email, mobile number), will process the transfer of connection without the requirement of a separate request and the need for additional documents, said the notification.
The amendment will come into effect after its publication in Delhi’s gazette notification.
Power department officials said that the amendment is a major consumer-friendly reform aimed at reducing paperwork, improving service delivery and protecting homebuyers from inheriting old electricity liabilities.
Link between property registration and utility services
Earlier, a property buyer was required to submit a separate application to the distribution company along with documents such as proof of ownership, identity proof and occupancy documents for the transfer of an electricity connection.
The entire process consumed a lot of time and caused hassle as people were required to take rounds of discom offices, officials said.
The amended regulation brings in a mechanism that will help bridge the gap between property registration and utility services by creating an institutional linkage between the sub-registrar offices and the discoms, they said.
New rule to address old electricity dues
It will also do away with the concern of new property buyers regarding outstanding electricity dues accumulated by previous occupants or owners.
The amendment lays down that a transfer request for name change will not be approved unless all recoverable dues related to the electricity connection are cleared.
Discoms can seek additional documents from new owners or directly from the sub registrar offices for verification purpose or in case of any dispute.
Comments Published on June 26, 2026
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