Electricity bill due date, late payment and instalment rules
What the rules say about when your electricity bill must reach you, what happens if you pay late, how to pay in instalments and when supply can be cut. From NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual (revised 2025), which every distribution company (LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, GEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO and others) must follow.
How many days you get to pay
The due date must fall within fifteen days of the bill's issue date, and you must have seven clear days from the day the bill is actually delivered to pay it. If the due date is a holiday, the due date becomes the next working day. Bills must also be available on the company's website, so a late or missing paper bill is not a reason to miss the due date: download your bill with your reference number.
Paying late
If you pay after the due date you pay the late payment surcharge (LPS): your bill shows it as "Amount payable after due date". Paying by cheque, pay order or bank draft? Deposit it at least three days before the due date so it clears in time. No LPS is charged where the due date has been extended.
Instalments and due date extension
Distribution companies may allow instalments or a later due date. If you ask to pay the current month's bill in instalments, there is no markup and no LPS if the first instalment is paid by the due date; the remaining instalments carry markup at 14% a year, pro rata. The company issues a new computerised bill when it allows instalments or an extension. Apply at your sub-division (SDO) office before the due date.
Instalment markup calculator
Equal instalments; markup at 14% a year on the remaining balance for each month it is outstanding (the manual's "pro rata" basis). Your company's computerised bill shows the exact amounts.
When supply can be disconnected
- One unpaid bill: no connection may be disconnected for one month's bill if there are no other dues.
- Two unpaid bills: the second month's bill comes with a notice of seven clear days. If it is still unpaid after the second bill's due date, supply can be disconnected and is restored only after full payment with LPS, or agreed instalments.
- Three unpaid bills: if the third bill and arrears are not paid by its due date, the company can remove the meter and mark the connection permanently disconnected.
- On instalments: supply is not cut while you keep paying instalments; if you default again, it can be cut without further notice and is restored after at least 50% of the dues are paid.
- Billing dispute with NEPRA: supply cannot be cut where NEPRA has issued a restraining order, but you must keep paying current bills.
Complaints about wrong bills
Complain first to your company's sub-division office or helpline (the number is printed on your bill). If it is not resolved, you can complain to NEPRA. Keep paying current bills while the complaint is open.
Source: NEPRA Consumer Service Manual, revised 2025, chapters 6 and 8.
Questions
How many days do I get to pay my electricity bill?
Under NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual, the due date must be within 15 days of the bill's issue date, and you must get at least 7 clear days from the day the bill actually reaches you. If the due date is a holiday, it moves to the next working day.
Can my electricity be cut for one unpaid bill?
No. NEPRA's rules say no connection is disconnected for one month's unpaid bill. If you miss two months, the second bill carries a 7-day notice; supply can be cut after the second bill's due date passes.
Can I pay my bill in instalments?
Yes, if your distribution company allows it. NEPRA's manual says there is no markup or late payment surcharge if you pay the first instalment by the due date; the remaining instalments carry markup of 14% a year, worked out pro rata.
What if I did not receive my bill?
Bills must also be available on the company's website. Download it with your reference number from the bill-check page and pay before the due date.
