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The short answer
In most Irish rentals the tenant sets up an electricity account with a licensed supplier of their choice (ESB Networks runs the wires, not your account), takes a meter reading on moving in, and chooses a private bin company. Citizens Information says there are no flat-rate bin fees: companies charge by weight, per lift, or both, so costs depend on the company and how much you throw away. Your lease decides which bills are already in the rent, so read it first.
First, find out what the rent already covers
Before you ring any supplier, read your tenancy agreement and ask the landlord or agent three questions: which bills are included in the rent, which accounts are already in the landlord's name, and whether the building has a shared bin system. In a house share, one housemate often holds the electricity account and the others pay a share; in an apartment block, bins are frequently handled through a communal system. Citizens Information notes that residents of apartments or developments with shared facilities must be able to show they have access to and use them, so keep whatever the management company gives you.
If the bills are in your name, they are your contracts. That matters for Nigerians who are new to Ireland, because a utility account is one of the first Irish records with your name and address on it. Many people later use a bill as proof of address. See the first 90 days of money tasks in Ireland for where this fits with your PPS number and bank account.
Electricity: supplier, MPRN and the move-in reading
Electricity in Ireland has two separate roles. ESB Networks owns and runs the network and the meter. A licensed supplier, which you choose, sells you the electricity and sends the bill. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regulates the industry and keeps the list of licensed suppliers. So "setting up ESB" usually means opening an account with a supplier, which may or may not be the company with ESB in its name.
Steps when you move into a connected home
- On the day you get the keys, take a meter reading and a dated photo of the meter. Citizens Information tells new occupants to take a reading when they move in, so you are not billed for the previous tenant's use.
- Find the MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number). It is printed on electricity bills, so ask the landlord for an old bill if you cannot find it. You need it to open or switch an account.
- Pick a supplier and open an account in your name. Citizens Information notes that renters may also have the landlord contact the supplier, which some landlords prefer.
- Note your contract type. If you sign a fixed-term contract, switching early may carry a charge.
- Keep the welcome letter and first bill; they show the date your account started.
If the property has been disconnected, the route depends on how long. Under six months, you register with a supplier and it arranges reconnection. Between six months and two years, you also need a registered electrical contractor to check and certify the wiring. Over two years, you apply to ESB Networks for a new connection. These steps are from the Citizens Information electricity page, last edited on 1 October 2025.
Deposits for new customers
Suppliers can ask a new customer for a security deposit, and many newcomers without an Irish payment history meet this. Citizens Information says each supplier's deposit policy must be fair, transparent and reasonable, that the deposit is returned on your final bill after the contract ends (usually after 12 months), and that the supplier must warn you if you are at risk of losing it. If you are on a low income and cannot pay a deposit, the page points you to your local Intreo office.
Gas, if the home has it
Not every Irish rental has a gas supply; many flats are all-electric. If yours has a gas meter, the pattern is similar in outline: a supplier holds your account, you give a reading when you move in, and you keep your own meter-point number from the bill. We have not set out the gas network's own rules here, so confirm the details with the landlord and the supplier you choose. Some suppliers sell electricity and gas together on one account.
Bins: how the charges work
Household waste is collected by private companies, not by the council. Citizens Information says you choose a company that serves your area, collections are weekly or fortnightly depending on the waste type, and there are three standard bins:
| Bin | What goes in | Note from Citizens Information |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Food and organic waste | Your bin company must provide and collect a brown bin (all households except offshore islands) |
| Green | Clean, dry, loose recycling | Drink containers with the Re-turn logo can go back for the deposit instead |
| Black | General waste | Usually the most expensive bin to fill when charging is by weight |
There are no flat-rate fees. Companies charge by weight, per lift, or a combination, and the structure varies between companies, so compare before you sign up. Some areas use pre-paid tagged bags instead of wheelie bins; untagged or unbranded bags are not collected. The page also lists a waste recovery levy of €10 per tonne and a landfill levy of €85 per tonne, which collection companies pay and often pass on in their prices. Burning household waste, or putting it in street litter bins, is an offence.
Budgeting before the first bill
We have not quoted typical Irish bill amounts, because prices differ by supplier, by tariff and by how you use the home, and any figure we gave would date quickly. Build your own estimate instead, from three sources: the prices on the supplier's and bin company's own websites, the previous tenant's or landlord's bills if they will share them, and your first two bills once they arrive.
Worked example (round numbers for illustration, not quotes)
Ada and Tunde share a two-bedroom flat. They estimate electricity at €120 a month and bins at €30 a month, so €150 in total. Split equally, each sets aside €75 a month from the day they move in. When the first two-month electricity bill arrives at €260 instead of the €240 they expected, the €20 gap is shared, €10 each, and they raise their monthly set-aside. The method matters more than the numbers: set aside from day one, and correct after the first real bill.
Paying bills and avoiding problems
- Pay from an Irish account by direct debit where the supplier offers it; it is usually the simplest way to avoid missed payments.
- Read your bill for usage and average spend, as Citizens Information suggests, before deciding whether to switch.
- When switching, have your MPRN and a fresh reading ready. The new supplier tells the old one. You have a 14-day cooling-off period for phone or online sign-ups, and 30 days for doorstep sales.
- Complain to the supplier about billing, and to ESB Networks about meters, connections or outages. If that fails, go to the CRU or the Small Claims Procedure.
- When you move out, take a final reading and close the account in writing so the next tenant is not billed on your account. For deposits on the tenancy itself, see getting your deposit back.
Where Pryme fits
Pryme gives you euro account details alongside naira in one account, so a household pot for shared bills can sit apart from money you send home. See multicurrency accounts. The Personal Assistant can remind you when a bill is due and prepare a payment; nothing moves until you approve it.
Questions people ask
Do I have to use ESB for electricity in Ireland?
No. ESB Networks runs the network and meters, but you can choose any licensed supplier. The CRU keeps the list. Your account and bill come from the supplier you pick.
Where do I find the MPRN for my rented flat?
It is printed on electricity bills. Ask the landlord or the previous tenant for an old bill, or check with the supplier once you have the meter details.
Why is my electricity supplier asking for a deposit?
Suppliers can ask new customers for a security deposit. Citizens Information says it must be fair and reasonable, and it is normally returned on your final bill after the contract ends, usually after 12 months.
How much are bin charges in Ireland?
There is no single price. Citizens Information says there are no flat-rate fees: companies charge by weight, per lift or both. Compare the bin companies serving your address.
Sources
- Citizens Information: Electricity, getting connected or switching (edited 1 Oct 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- Citizens Information: Household waste disposal (edited 12 Aug 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.