If you are in the process of purchasing property have the utilities prorated to the close date so that the seller fulfills their obligations to pay and you can take over on the closing date. You can also request a letter of utility transfer from the seller that you can take with you to the utility company. After you purchase your property in Mexico you will want to have the utilities transferred into your name. It is important to know that only property owners may have water (Oomsapas) and electric (CFE) in their name. You must have proof of your property ownership (copy of your registered Fideiciomiso or Escritura) and ID.
If you have just closed on a property it can take 60 to 90 days (or more or less) to receive your final registered deed from the public registry office. In this case, the utilities will continue billing in the seller’s name, they are not cut off at the close on a real estate sale and will bill until you have your documents to provide the copies required for the name change. Pay the bills so that they don’t get cut off until you have what you need to get the name officially changed. You will also pay a fee for the change of name on the utility account.
CFE, electricity in Mexico is billed bi-monthly and water is billed every month. Billing is based on consumption and metered. Years ago you used to have to stand in line with cash but today CFE and Oomsapas now have a phone app and or online links for payment of services. You can also open up a Mexican bank account in pesos and have your CFE bill debit your account, you should receive a notice of the account billing each cycle from your bank by email. There is no overdraft on bank accounts in Mexico so not enough funds means your utilities will not be paid and then cut off. If you are an American citizen foreign bank accounts must be declared on your US tax return. Many banks have restrictions for foreigners so do your due diligence if you decide to go this banking route.
Note that in Mexico there is not a late fee if you do not pay your bill on time. CFE will send a serviceman to turn off your meter and cut service the day after your payment due date. It will cost you a reconnection fee and may take from 3 to 10 days for service reconnection. Water cannot be cut off however they can limit the amount of water you receive by restricting service until paid.
