What are utility bills? Introducing the advantages and disadvantages of different payment methods such as credit cards
Detailed explanation of utility charges
Utility charges
What kind of charges do public charges refer to? Public utility charges are the fees that must be paid to use the infrastructure facilities necessary for life.
According to the Consumer Affairs Agency, public utility charges are defined as ``a general term for services for which public institutions such as the Diet, the central government, and local governments are directly involved in determining and revising standards.'' Taxes and social insurance premiums are not services and therefore do not count as utility bills. Internet charges and mobile phone charges are also not included in utility charges.
The table below summarizes typical utility charges by category.
| Category | Example |
| Light and heat related | Electricity bill, city gas bill |
| Transportation | Rail fares, bus fares, taxi fares, air fares, highway fares |
| Communication Related | Postcards, sealed letters, fixed telephone charges |
| Educational related | National and public school tuition, textbooks | < /tr>
| Public health related | Water bill, examination table, care fee, bathing fee |
| General administration | Registration fee, car license fee, seal certificate fee |
| Others | Public/Tobacco |
As mentioned above, various charges are included in public utility charges, but when it comes to public utility charges, it often refers to lifelines such as "electricity, gas, and water charges".
In this article, unless otherwise specified, public utility charges will continue to be used to refer to these three types of charges.
Amounts are determined by national and local governments
The amount of public utility charges defined by the Consumer Affairs Agency is determined in the following four ways.
If you classify the charges according to these determination methods, it will be as follows.
| Determination method | Example |
| Decisions by the Diet and government | Social insurance medical care Remuneration, long-term care fees |
| Government-approved fees | Electricity charges, city gas charges, rail fares, bus fares, highway national highway fares, taxi fares , Postage (class 3 and 4) |
| What to report to the government | Telecommunications charges (fixed-line telephones, etc.), domestic airfare, postal mail Fees (Type 1 and Type 2) |
| Determined by local governments | Public water charges, public school tuition fees, public bath fees , Seal certification fee |
What I would like to focus on here is the fee determined by the local government. Public water charges refer to water charges, but many people may not have known that water charges differ depending on the local government.
Also, public school tuition fees vary by local government. The price will directly reflect what kind of educational system the local government wants to aim for, so people who are thinking about moving should be aware of this.
If you don't pay, you may not be able to live
Electricity and gas, which are included in utility bills, are essential for living and must be paid every month. If payment has not been confirmed by the due date, you will first receive a reminder.
As the name suggests, a demand letter is "a document ordering payment of overdue fees", but what you have to pay at this time is not only the late payment fee. You will also have to pay a separate “late payment interest” determined by each supplier.
If you do not pay even if the demand letter comes, the lifeline will be stopped after the number of days specified by each supplier.
Suspended lifelines will not be restored until you pay the amount billed. Make sure you pay your utility bills well in advance of the due date.
How to pay utility bills
There are four ways to pay your utility bills. There is no problem with any method, but each method has advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to choose the payment method that suits you.
Payment using a transfer form
Payment using a transfer form for public utility charges means taking the transfer form mailed by the supplier to a convenience store, post office, etc. and paying in cash. It's a way.
Payment by bank transfer
Utility charges are automatically paid from the account every month by specifying your payment account to the supplier in advance. payment method.
Payment by credit card
Utility bill payment by credit card allows you to register your credit card information with the supplier and pay your monthly utility bills with the specified credit card.
Payment by smartphone payment such as "d payment" and "PayPay"
Utility charges can also be paid with smartphone payment services such as "d payment" and "PayPay". By scanning the barcode on the bill with the app, you can pay anytime, anywhere.
How much is the average utility bill?
You want to keep your monthly utility bill as low as possible. Here, we introduce the average amount of public utility charges by the number of households based on the data of the statistics bureau. Compare with your payment.
Living Alone
The monthly average utility bills for single households are as follows.
| type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Electricity | 5,791 | 5,700 | 5,852 |
| Gas | 3,021 | 3,012 | 3,104 |
| Water and sewage charges | 2,172 | 2,120 | 2,142 |
There has not been a big change in the last three years, and the total average is about 10,000 yen per month. .
For a couple living together
The average monthly utility bills for a couple living together are as follows (listed as 2.95 people based on data from the Bureau of Statistics).
| type | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Electric bill | 10,671 | 10,825 | 10,765 |
| Gas bill | 4,729 | 4,852 | 4,760 |
| Water and sewage charges | 5,255 | 5,044 | 5,104 |
Understand what utility bills are and pay them properly
Utility bills This is for services that are essential to life, such as utility bills. Therefore, let's understand that it is so important that you can't live without paying it.
In addition, utility bills are paid monthly, so it is recommended that you choose a payment method that you feel comfortable with. In recent years, payment methods such as credit card payment and smartphone payment payment are increasing. Pay without delay using a payment method that suits your lifestyle.
