How to Set Up Electricity, Water & Gas After Moving into a Korean Apartment
Moving into a new apartment in South Korea is exciting. You’ve finally got your keys, unpacked your boxes, and you’re ready to settle into your new home.
Before you can fully relax, however, there’s one important task you shouldn’t forget—setting up your utility accounts.
Unlike some countries where everything is managed by a single provider, utilities in Korea are handled separately. In most cases, you’ll need to contact three different companies:
- ⚡ Electricity (전기 · Jeon-gi)
- 💧 Water (수도 · Su-do)
- 🔥 City Gas (도시가스 · Do-si-ga-seu)
It may seem confusing at first, but once you know who to contact, the process is much easier than most people expect.
1. Electricity (전기)
Electricity is the simplest utility to set up because it’s managed nationwide by KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation).
No matter where you live in Korea, you can contact the same customer service number.
📞 KEPCO Customer Service: 123 (within Korea)
In most apartments, the electricity is already working when you move in.
Usually, all you need to do is call KEPCO, provide your address, and transfer the account into your name.
2. Water (수도)
Water service is managed by each local city or district.
Because of this, the customer service number will depend on where you live.
Like electricity, the water is usually already running when you move in. You simply need to update the billing information with the local water office.
3. City Gas (도시가스)
Gas is the utility that confuses many newcomers.
In Korea, city gas is used not only for cooking but also for your boiler, which provides both hot water and floor heating (Ondol).
In many apartments, the gas company turns off the gas supply after the previous tenant moves out and completes the final meter reading. This is a common safety procedure, although the exact process may vary depending on the gas company or building management.
Winter Can Be Different
During very cold weather, some buildings may leave the gas connected at a minimum level to help prevent frozen pipes.
However, you shouldn’t assume your gas will already be available.
If the gas supply has been turned off, you’ll need to contact the local gas company to schedule a technician to reconnect it.
After a long day of moving, the last thing you want is to discover there’s no hot water when you’re ready to take a shower.
4. How to Find the Correct Phone Numbers
Unlike electricity, the gas and water companies are different in each city.
Here are the easiest ways to find the correct contact information.
Ask Your Real Estate Agent
This is usually the quickest option.
Real estate agents help tenants with move-ins every day and can normally tell you exactly which gas and water companies serve your building.
Check Your Mailbox
If you don’t know who to ask, check your apartment mailbox.
Many previous tenants used automatic payments, so they often leave behind old utility bills.
If you find a recent gas or water bill, the customer service phone number is usually printed on the front.
Ask the Building Management Office
If you live in an officetel or apartment complex with a management office, they can usually tell you which utility companies serve your building.
5. Don’t Feel Comfortable Speaking Korean?
If you’re worried about making phone calls in Korean, don’t worry.
Many foreigners feel the same way when they first move to Korea.
If you need help, you can ask:
- Your landlord
- Your real estate agent
- A Korean-speaking coworker
- Your school’s international office
- A Korean friend
These requests are very common, and most people are happy to help.
I once knew an expat who felt too embarrassed to ask anyone for help.
Because he couldn’t speak Korean, he kept putting it off and ended up taking cold showers for almost three months before finally asking someone to call the gas company.
Don’t make the same mistake.
A five-minute phone call can save you a lot of inconvenience.
Before You Move In: Quick Checklist
| Utility | Usually Available? | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| ⚡ Electricity | ✅ Yes | Call KEPCO (123) and transfer the account. |
| 💧 Water | ✅ Yes | Contact your local water office if necessary. |
| 🔥 City Gas | ⚠️ Maybe | Contact the local gas company before moving in if the gas has been turned off. |
Final Tips
Setting up utilities is one of the first things you should do after moving into a Korean apartment.
Electricity and water are usually available right away, but city gas sometimes requires a quick phone call before you can use hot water or floor heating.
Taking just a few minutes to check your utilities can save you from unnecessary stress—and help you enjoy your new home from day one.
🛠️ Need Help With Home Repairs in Gyeonggi-do?
Moving into a new home often means discovering a few things that need attention.
If you need help with a broken door lock, leaking faucet, torn window screen, blinds, shower head replacement, or boiler controller replacement in Yongin, Suwon, Dongtan, or nearby areas, we’re happy to help.
We provide reliable home maintenance and repair services for both Korean residents and expats.
Service Areas
- Yongin
- Suwon
- Dongtan
- Nearby Gyeonggi-do areas
Contact
📱 KakaoTalk: kylechoung
📞 Phone: 010-8775-5384