Moving House in Azerbaijan

Essential tasks to carry out before moving house in Azerbaijan, from letting relevant authorities know of your change of address to arranging mail forwarding…

Moving house generally requires planning and preparation; here are some specifics to remember when moving home within Azerbaijan.

Change of Address

Following a change of address in Azerbaijan, it is necessary to inform the State Migration Service within the first ten days of moving, so that the new address can be registered.

  • State Migration Service
    At    : Block 3123, Binagadi Highway, 202 Binagadi District, Baku AZ1114
    Migration Information Centre, Tel: 919
    Fax: (012) 562 37 02
    Open: Monday to Friday (except national holidays) from 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00
    email

Rented Accommodation

Landlords should be informed of the intention to leave one month in advance of vacating the property.

Telephone

The telecom company must be informed one month in advance of a move. Landline telephones are operated in Azerbaijan by AzTelekom and Baku Telephone Communications PA (BTCPA). AzTelekom covers Azerbaijan and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, while BTCPA covers Baku and its administrative districts.

The telephone number can be transferred to a new home if the new residence is within the operator's coverage area. To arrange this, go to the telecom company and sign a new agreement. The following documents are needed:

  • Written request
  • Passport or ID
  • Rental agreement

If the tenant does not own the telephone number but wants it transferred to their new address, the owner's written permission is required. There is a fee for transferring telephone numbers to another person's name.

Utilities

Before moving to a new address all utility providers (electricity, gas and water) should be informed so that services can be stopped.

A request to terminate or restore any utility supply has to be made in writing and addressed to the relevant utility supplier one month in advance. The customer should give a reason for terminating the supply.

In general it is the responsibility of the landlord to organise the disconnection of utility services. Any outstanding bills must be paid and copies of paid invoices given to the landlord.

Personnel from the companies concerned will take meter readings and issue a bill. To read the water meter, personnel may need to enter the interior of the property.

Below are contact details for some of the main utility providers in Azerbaijan:

Electricity

In Azerbaijan electricity supply is provided by AzerEnergy and in Baku's districts, by Baki Elektrik Shebeke.

  • AzerEnergy
    At: 10 Ak. Abdulkerim Alizade Street, Baku
    Tel: (012) 492 31 09
    Hotline: 186
    Fax: (012) 492 63 55
    email
  • Baki Elektrik Shebeke
    Emergency: 199
    Fax: (012) 565 05 72
    email
  • Baki Elektrik Shebeke branch office
    At: 20, 28 May Street, Baku
    Tel: (012) 598 22 46 / (012)  598 22 47
    Open: Monday to Saturday from 09:00-19:00, Sunday from 10:00-14:00

Baki Elektrik Shebeke has a branch in each of Baku's districts:

  • To find the address and telephone number of a Baki Elektrik Shebeke branch: Click here
  • For technical problems, Tel: (012) 440 29 21

Gas

Mains gas is distributed by Az?rigaz. Gas meters are installed outside the house or apartment.

  • Az?rigaz
    At: 23 Yusif Safarov Street, Baku, AZ1025
    Tel: (012) 521 21 94
    Hotline: 185
    Fax: (012) 521 21 94
    email
  • For contact details for Az?rigaz in other areas of Azerbaijan: Click here

Water

Water is distributed by Az?rsu. Water meters are read by Az?rsu employees who have to enter the home to take a reading.

  • Az?rsu
    At: 67 Moscow Avenue, Baku, AZ1012
    Tel: (012) 431 47 67/87
    Hotline: 955
    Fax: (012) 430 28 87
    email

Television and Satellite

The original subscription package will determine if equipment can be transferred to a new address. Go to the service provider with a passport or ID to make a request. If it is possible to transfer equipment, the service provider will carry out the transfer. Each service provider has its own fees for transfer and re-installation.

A small home antenna can be transferred. The service provider can re-connect it.

Mail Forwarding

Postal services are managed by Azerpost. Buildings in Baku do not have post boxes assigned to each apartment, so mail delivered to the home must be received in person and signed for. For this reason, many foreigners working in Azerbaijan have their mail delivered to their place of work.

When moving house, it is possible to inform the post office about the change of address by taking proof of identity to the local post office; the new address is immediately updated in its database.

Banks and Insurance

Banks should be notified of a change in address in writing or by visiting the local branch office.

Within one week of moving, inform the insurance company of a change in address in writing, either by letter or email. The insurance company carries out the necessary changes on the paperwork, which usually takes one working day.

If the size and contents of the new residence differ from the previous one, a new agreement should be drawn up.

The following documents are required:

  • Proof of new residence: a copy of the rental agreement is sufficient
  • Passport

Schools

When changing schools, it is important to notify the administration of the current school in advance in order to receive transcripts and school reports on time.

Baku has a limited choice of international schools which offer a curriculum in English. It can be preferable to arrange for a driver to transport children to their existing school, rather change schools.

For admission to a school where the curriculum is in English, the following documents are generally required:

  • Copy of child's birth certificate
  • Home address (rental agreement which gives address in full)
  • Colour photographs of the child
  • Child's medical certificate
  • Transcripts from previous school

Taxes

One month prior to moving, the relevant tax authority should be notified about a change in residential address.

  • Baku Tax Department (all Baku's administrative districts)
    At: 105 H. Aliyev Avenue, Baku AZ1029
    Tel: (012) 403 86 24 / (012) 440 58 87
    email
  • To find a local tax department in Azerbaijan: Click here