Sorry to nitpick on something so small, but this has me going ??? because my impression has always been that they're postpaid like in the US- you use your utilities, get a bill in the mail, scan the barcode at a convenience store or other payment terminal, pay in cash or swipe your card depending on where you pay, and done. I also assumed my mom's practice of keeping the utilities in her name when renting out apartments in Shanghai was standard, but I apparently now stand corrected on that too.