New Era in Natural Gas: EPDK Simplifies Subscription and Billing Procedures

New Era in Subscription and Connection Processes The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has implemented new rules strengthening consumer rights by making comprehensive changes to the Natural Gas Market Distribution and Customer Services Regulation.
Under the new regulation, subscriber connection fees will be collected as a one-time payment during the connection agreement.
If the construction of the service line has not yet commenced, the fee paid will be refunded within 5 business days upon the consumer's request.
Furthermore, if a connection fee has previously been paid for the same address, no second fee can be requested for new subscriptions.
Service Timelines and Refund Conditions It has become mandatory to complete permit applications for service line installation within a maximum of 5 business days from the collection of the fee.
Distribution companies are generally required to complete the service line and make it ready for gas supply within 30 days.
With the applicant's consent, this period can be extended up to 90 days.
However, if the line cannot be completed within 90 days due to reasons such as failure to obtain permits, the connection fee must be returned to the right holder within 5 business days.
Payment Facilities and Security Deposit Exemptions To alleviate the financial burden on consumers, the option to pay the subscriber connection fee in up to 6 equal installments via credit card has been introduced.
For security deposits collected from subscribers using mechanical meters, a minimum of 6 equal installments is now required, with the provision that no interest or maturity difference will be charged on these installments.
The scope of security deposit exemptions has been expanded to include the following groups and institutions: Places of worship and cemevis Quran courses affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs Households receiving social assistance Billing and Meter Reading Regulations According to the new regulation, if the meter reading period is shortened due to reasons originating from the distribution company, the bill payment period will be at least 25 days.
If the reading period is extended, the consumption amount can be divided into at least 4 billing periods without any maturity difference.
It is now mandatory for bills to be delivered to the consumer at least 10 days before the due date, and the payment period cannot be less than 5 business days under any circumstances.
Additionally, a notification must be sent to the subscriber at least 3 business days before any contract termination due to debt.