Basic utilities such as water, sewage and electricity are provided by monopoly companies, so unlike in some countries there’s no chance to switch provider to get a better deal. Generally the main companies are quite efficient though, and while breakdowns in service do occur these are often dealt with remarkably quickly. Both the electricity and water services have 24 hour numbers you can call to report problems. Staff usually speak English and if you’re not the first person to report the problem they will tell you what they’re doing about it and how long they expect it will take to fix.

It is common practice for landlords to keep electricity and water bills in their name and request a security deposit from you against unpaid bills. This means that services remain connected so you do not have to worry about contacting the companies when you move in and out of rented accommodation.

Fixed line telephone services are also provided by a monopoly, while broadband, dial-up and mobile internet services are available from several different suppliers.

Gas is the preferred fuel for cooking. It’s not usually piped in to houses (although some apartments do have this) but comes in cylinders which you can have delivered to your home. It’s always a good idea to have two in case one runs out mid-meal.