WHERE AND HOW TO PAY FOR UTILITY BILLS
Some utility options have some pretty cool apps where you can check your balance and pay online.
There are mobile applications where you can pay all of your utility bills online and there are also physical locations where you can pay . I don’t want to fill your phone with apps, just to pay utilities, so I’m solely listing the ones I have used and loved, along with tips.
Below are the MOBILE APP options for individual utility companies;
- CFE APP (electricity): This app is great, when it decides to work. Sometimes they are updating it, and it can freeze. So a little patience goes a long way with this app because when it works it’s amazing. If it’s not working just try again at another time. It will allow you to see what is owed, pay and access past bills all accessible through a phone.
- … Ok I wrote options, but I currently only have one option that I like, the rest can be a nightmare… so if you are having trouble with the CFE app, you can just imagine the rest! (or let us know if you find any APPS for a utility companies and I can update this)
- Telmex (phone/internet)
- Telcel (cell phone)
Below is the APP option where you can pay many utilities;
MERCADOPAGO APP: They have several options here you can pay, water, electric, phone/ internet/cable companies and many more. I use it for phone/ internet/cable.
Below are places where you can pay many utilities in cash as long as they are not past due, in person, typically you need to bring the bill along.
- Soriana
- Wal-Mart
- OXXO
- Telecom Telégrafos
- Chedraui
- Círculo K
- 7 Eleven
- La Comer
- Farmacias del Ahorro
- Farmacias Benavides
- Farmacias Guadalajara
*Keep in mind not all of these establishments may accept all of the traditional payment methods like cash, credit cards or debit and may charge a small convenience fee.
THESE ARE TOO MANY OPTIONS WHAT ELSE CAN I DO! …TRY AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS?
If none of these options work or you don’t want to deal with it every month then you can place your card on automatic payment every month, or pay for the whole year directly at the office of the utility company. To do this typically, the cardholder and account holder have to go to the office of the utility company and set it up there. Sometimes you can do it over the phone.
***IMPORTANT NOTES;
IF YOU HAVE A PAST DUE BILL: It is best to go to the utility company’ office and pay the balance due directly there. If they are closed, most have a 24 hour automated teller that accepts payments like CFE and Telmex.
This is especially true, if you want to reinstate the service as soon as possible, since third party services can take 24-72 hours for the payment to go through.
IF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL IS PAST DUE: The best option is to pay it online on the application CFE, or directly at the CFE office/ 24 hour automated teller. Next print the proof of payment and tape it on the electricity meter.
You will know which one is your electricity meter by looking for the meter number on the bill and the meter with that same number is the correct one. In Spanish, look for NUMERO DE MEDIDOR = METER NUMBER.
Now you’re all set and you can relax, your electricity won’t be cut off.
Taping the proof of payment to the meter is important. Especially if it’s a weekend, because sometimes even if you pay it after it is past due, the payment can take some time to reflect in the CFE system, their workers can have a cut off order in place already set for the next day, or that same day to cut off the electricity, even though you have paid it, because it was already past due.
Avoid getting the electricity service disconnected, tape a copy or the proof of payment to the electricity meter then CFE staff can be aware.
PAYING YOUR FIRST ELECTRICITY BILL
When the first bill arrives, if it doesn’t include any days of which the tenant had possession or lease start date, then please forward the bill to the property owner to remind the owner to pay it.
If you just received your first electric bill, but the consumption on the bill started a month ago and you just moved in, then the bill is prorated.
On or a day before the start date of the rental agreement, the property owner will take a picture of the electric meter reading that corresponds to the property leased.
The property owner is responsible for the kilowatts used up to that reading, and afterwards the tenant is responsible.
Each party pays their part for kilowatts consumed.
If no prior picture of the electric meter reading is available, then the bill is prorated by dates and the owner and tenant can come to an agreement. (Example if the unit was empty then most of the usage is the tenants)
To get an estimate for kilowatts call CFE at #071
WHEN ELECTRICITY IS INCLUDED IN THE RENT
If electricity is included, then you have nothing to worry about, the owner pays it.
If there is a set limit of electricity included and the electricity bill surpasses the limit included by the property owner, then the tenant must pay the exceeding amount to the property owners’ account, in cash to the owner, or to CFE. Check with the owner because sometimes the owner can have the electricity bill on an automatic payment linked to a credit card, and has already paid the electricity company the full amount of the bill, in which case it’s better to pay the owner back instead of paying CFE.
So it is important to check with your owner or agent and have the instructions in writing.
