The first week in a new rental in Grenada is often spent on things nobody mentions at the viewing: whose name is on the electricity account, why the water pressure drops every afternoon, where to exchange an empty gas cylinder and which day the garbage truck comes. None of it is complicated, but it is different enough from life elsewhere that newcomers lose time and money learning by trial and error.
This guide walks through each service a tenant typically deals with, who provides it, what is usually needed to set it up and the habits that keep bills manageable. Requirements and charges change, so confirm details with each provider, but the pattern described here is how things generally work.
Electricity: GRENLEC accounts and bills
Electricity across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique is supplied by GRENLEC, the Grenada Electricity Services company. In many rentals the account stays in the landlord's name and the tenant either pays the bill directly or reimburses the landlord. This is simpler for short leases, but make sure you see each bill so you know what you are paying for.
For longer leases, tenants sometimes open an account in their own name. Expect to provide identification, a copy of the lease or a letter from the landlord, and possibly a security deposit. Ask GRENLEC what is currently required before you visit their office or contact them.
Electricity in Grenada is expensive by North American standards because most power is generated from imported diesel, with a growing share of solar. Air conditioning is by far the biggest driver of bills. Before you sign, ask the landlord or previous tenant what typical monthly bills have been, and read the meter on the day you move in so the first bill is not inflated by the previous occupant's use.
Water: public supply, tanks and pumps
Public water is supplied by NAWASA, the National Water and Sewerage Authority. Many homes are connected to the mains, but most also store water in a concrete cistern under the house or in plastic tanks on a stand or the roof, with an electric pump to push water through the taps. This storage keeps the house supplied when pressure drops or the mains are interrupted, which is more common in the dry season and after heavy rain affects treatment plants.
On move-in day, find the main valve, the tank or cistern and the pump, and ask how to switch the pump on and off and reset it if it trips. Ask how long a full tank lasts for a household your size and who pays if water needs to be trucked in during a drought.
Water bills are usually modest compared with electricity, and in many rentals they are included in the rent or paid by the landlord. Clarify this in writing. If the water account is in your name, read the meter at the start and end of the tenancy.
Internet, television and mobile
Two main providers. Flow and Digicel are the main providers of home internet, mobile and pay television in Grenada. Fibre service has expanded in many areas, especially around St George's and the south, but availability and speeds vary street by street.
Check before signing. Ask the landlord which provider currently serves the property and whether a line is already installed. If you work from home, ask both providers whether fibre reaches the address.
Setting up. A new service usually requires identification, proof of address such as the lease, and sometimes a deposit or a minimum contract period. Installation may take days or longer in busy periods.
Mobile data as backup. A prepaid or postpaid mobile plan with a data allowance keeps you connected during outages and while waiting for home internet. Both providers sell SIM cards widely.
Included internet. If the landlord includes internet, ask for the expected speed and what happens if it fails for days. Shared connections in apartment blocks can slow down at peak times.
Cooking gas and water heating
Most stoves in Grenada run on liquefied petroleum gas from cylinders rather than piped gas. Tenants usually buy their own cylinder or inherit one from the landlord, then exchange the empty for a full one at service stations or gas distributors. Ask on move-in day whether a cylinder comes with the house, whether it is full, and where the nearest exchange point is.
Keep a spare cylinder if you can, because running out halfway through cooking on a Sunday evening is a rite of passage nobody needs. Store cylinders upright in a ventilated place, away from the sun, and check the regulator and hose for cracks. If you smell gas, turn off the cylinder valve, open windows and avoid switches or flames.
Hot water comes from electric heaters, solar water heaters or instant electric showerheads, depending on the house. Solar heaters on the roof cut electricity bills considerably; electric heaters left on all day do the opposite. Ask which system the house has and how to use it efficiently.
Garbage, mail and other services
Household garbage collection is handled by the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority through scheduled pickups. Ask neighbours or the landlord which days the truck passes, and keep bins closed and off the ground where dogs and animals cannot reach them. Bulky items and old appliances need separate arrangements.
Mail delivery works differently from many countries. Street addresses can be informal, and many residents and businesses use a post office box at a local post office or receive mail through their workplace. Couriers deliver using directions and landmarks as much as addresses, so a clear description of the house and a phone number given to the courier company help.
Other services worth arranging early include a reliable taxi driver, a local plumber and electrician recommended by the landlord, and someone to service the air conditioning. Having names ready before something breaks makes a real difference, especially during busy periods after storms.
Move-in day checklist
Work through these on the first day, ideally with the landlord or caretaker present.
- Read and photograph the electricity and water meters, and send the readings to the landlord.
- Confirm whose name each utility account is in and how you will see and pay each bill.
- Locate the main electrical panel, water valve, pump, tank or cistern and gas cylinder, and learn how each works.
- Test every air conditioning unit, fan, light, socket, tap, shower and toilet.
- Check that the water heater works and ask how long it takes to heat.
- Ask about the internet: provider, password, expected speed and who to contact if it fails.
- Find out the garbage collection days and where bins are kept.
- Note emergency contacts for the landlord, caretaker and repair people, and keep 911 for emergencies.
Keeping bills under control
Electricity is where most tenants can save. Run air conditioning only in occupied rooms, set it to a moderate temperature, close doors and louvres when it is on and keep filters clean. Ceiling fans use far less power and are comfortable for much of the year, especially in houses designed for cross-ventilation. Unplug water heaters that do not need to be on all day, and switch off outdoor lights during daylight.
Water use matters most when the tank is filling slowly. Fix dripping taps and running toilets quickly, and keep an eye on the pump: one that cycles on and off constantly may indicate a leak somewhere in the system.
Finally, review the first two or three bills carefully. An unexpectedly high bill may point to a faulty appliance, an inaccurate estimate or a shared meter that needs sorting out with the landlord. Raising it early, with your meter photographs to hand, is much easier than disputing months of charges later.
Frequently asked questions
Who supplies electricity in Grenada?
GRENLEC, the Grenada Electricity Services company, supplies electricity across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Tenants either pay bills on the landlord's account or open their own account, which usually requires identification, the lease and sometimes a deposit.
Why do Grenada rentals have water tanks?
Most houses store water in a cistern or tanks with a pump, so the house stays supplied when public pressure drops or the mains are interrupted. This is especially useful in the dry season. Ask how long the stored supply lasts and who pays for refills.
Which internet providers operate in Grenada?
Flow and Digicel are the main providers of home internet, mobile and pay television. Fibre is available in many areas, but coverage varies by street, so ask both providers about the specific address before signing a lease if you work from home.
How does cooking gas work in Grenada?
Most stoves use LPG cylinders. When a cylinder runs out, you exchange it for a full one at a service station or gas distributor. Keeping a spare cylinder avoids running out at awkward times, and cylinders should be stored upright in a ventilated spot.
Are utilities expensive in Grenada?
Electricity is the largest cost and is high by North American standards, especially with heavy air conditioning use. Water is generally modest. Internet costs depend on speed and provider. Ask previous tenants or the landlord about typical bills before agreeing the rent.
