Short answer: in a typical Dhaka apartment you pay electricity separately, often through a prepaid meter; gas is either piped or supplied by LPG cylinder; water comes through the building's pump and tanks and needs filtering for drinking; and fibre broadband is widely available in the main expat areas. Before signing, confirm in writing what the generator covers and which bills are included in the rent.
Utilities in Dhaka work differently from most European, North American or Australian cities, and the details vary from building to building. Knowing how electricity, gas, internet and power backup in a Dhaka apartment are organised will help you compare homes properly and avoid surprises in your first month. This guide explains each utility, what to check during a viewing and what is usually included in a serviced apartment compared with a standard let.
How does electricity work in a Dhaka apartment?
Each apartment normally has its own electricity meter. Many are prepaid meters: you buy credit in advance, commonly through a mobile banking app, a bank or an authorised vendor, and the meter switches off when the credit runs out. Some buildings still use post-paid meters with a monthly bill. For example, one fully furnished Banani apartment in our current listings states post-paid electricity with pre-paid gas.
Practical points for tenants:
- Ask where the meter is and how to check the balance. It is often in a meter room on the ground floor rather than inside the flat.
- Keep a small credit buffer, especially before weekends and public holidays.
- Expect higher bills in the hot months, when air-conditioning runs most of the day.
- Record the meter reading or balance on the day you move in and the day you leave.
Does the building have generator backup?
Power cuts, known locally as load-shedding, still happen in Dhaka, particularly in hot weather. Most apartment buildings aimed at foreign tenants have a diesel generator. In our own database, 68 of our 73 current listings (homes and commercial spaces together) mention a generator, and 28 mention an automatic one that starts without anyone switching it on.
The important question is not whether there is a generator but what it runs:
- Full backup: the whole apartment, including air-conditioners. This is the standard to look for if you have young children or work from home.
- Partial backup: lights, fans, sockets, the fridge and the lifts, but not air-conditioning.
- Common areas only: lifts, stairwells, pumps and security lights.
Ask how quickly it starts, whether the lifts are on backup, and whether generator fuel is covered by the service charge or billed separately. Many households also keep an IPS (a local term for a battery-based backup unit) for the router and a few lights, which bridges the gap before the generator starts. Put the agreed level of backup in the lease; our guide to rental agreements for foreigners explains how.
Piped gas or cylinder: how is cooking gas supplied?
Dhaka apartments use one of two systems:
- Piped natural gas from the city network, billed at a fixed monthly rate or through a prepaid gas meter. Pressure can drop at peak cooking times in some areas.
- LPG cylinders, delivered by local suppliers and swapped when empty. New piped connections have been limited in recent years, so many newer buildings rely on cylinders or a central LPG supply.
Either works well. Ask which system the flat uses, who arranges cylinder delivery, and where cylinders are stored. Check that the kitchen has ventilation and, ideally, a gas detector. Among our current listings, 29 specifically mention a gas connection.
Is the water safe, and how is it supplied?
Water from the city supply is pumped into an underground reservoir and then up to a roof tank, which feeds each apartment. Tap water is generally not considered safe to drink without treatment, so most households use a filtration system, boil water, or buy large refillable bottles.
During a viewing, check:
- water pressure on your floor, especially in showers,
- whether there is a hot-water geyser in each bathroom and the kitchen (30 of our current listings mention one),
- whether the pump is on generator backup,
- how often the tanks are cleaned, which is often handled through the service charge.
What internet options are available in Dhaka apartments?
In Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Bashundhara and Uttara, fibre broadband from local internet service providers is widely available, and most buildings already have one or more providers cabled in. Speeds and prices vary by provider and package, so compare current offers rather than relying on older figures.
- Ask the building manager which providers already serve the building; installation is usually quicker with them.
- If you work from home, consider two connections from different providers, or a mobile data plan as a fallback.
- Put the router on the IPS or generator circuit so a short power cut does not end a video call.
- Cable TV connections are also common; 65 of our current listings mention one.
What should you know about air-conditioning?
Split air-conditioners are standard in furnished apartments, usually one per bedroom and one or more in the living area. Ask when they were last serviced and who pays for servicing and gas top-ups. Dust and heavy use mean filters need regular cleaning, and a pre-summer service reduces breakdowns. Confirm in writing whether AC units are covered by the generator.
How does the monsoon affect utilities?
The monsoon, roughly from June to September, brings heavy rain and humidity. Some streets flood briefly after heavy downpours. For utilities, this means:
- checking for damp, leaks and seepage around windows and on top floors,
- asking whether the generator, pump and electrical panels are raised above basement flood level,
- using dehumidifiers or running AC on dry mode to control mould in wardrobes,
- allowing a little extra time for internet repairs after storms.
What is included in a serviced apartment versus a standard let?
Inclusions depend on the owner and the contract, but this is a typical pattern:
| Item | Serviced apartment | Standard furnished or unfurnished let |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Sometimes included; often metered separately | Paid by the tenant |
| Gas | Usually included | Paid by the tenant (bill, prepaid meter or cylinders) |
| Water | Included | Usually within the service charge or a small bill |
| Internet | Usually Wi-Fi included | Tenant arranges and pays the provider |
| Generator | Included | Available in most buildings; fuel often via service charge |
| Service charge | Included in one monthly price | Separate monthly charge |
| Housekeeping | Often included or available | Tenant arranges |
As an example, one fully furnished Niketon, Gulshan-1 apartment in our listings is priced all-inclusive except electricity, which is metered separately. If you want one predictable monthly bill, look at serviced apartments in Dhaka. For a longer stay, a standard let is usually cheaper overall; compare homes in Gulshan or browse all available properties.
How Rent Property helps you set up utilities
When you rent through Rent Property, we check generator coverage, water supply and internet availability before viewings, record meter readings at handover and help connect utilities in your name. If you are moving staff to Dhaka, utility connection is part of our corporate relocation service.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Want to know exactly what the generator covers in a flat you have seen? Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255 and we will usually reply within one working day. Send us a WhatsApp message.