How to set up or switch gas and electricity suppliers when renting

In this article, we’ll go through how to set up energy in your new home – whether you’re staying with the existing provider at the property or switching to a better deal.

Why setting up your energy bills correctly is important

Sorting out your gas and electricity suppliers is a crucial step when moving into a new rental property, and putting it off can lead to unnecessary stress and financial headaches. Firstly, because you need to ensure a continuous supply of these essential utilities, and secondly, because you want to avoid building up a debt, or even inheriting a previous tenant’s debt if their account hasn’t been settled properly.

Not only that, but having accounts in your name establishes your proof of address and financial responsibility, which can come in handy for financial tasks like setting up bank accounts or registering for local services.

What to do before you move

• Let your current energy supplier know that you’re moving
  Ideally, you should give your gas and/or electricity suppliers at least 48 hours’ notice before you move, but the more time the better. Some energy providers will accept up to 28 days’ notice, giving you more time to prepare. Giving your supplier your move-out date and new address will help make the transition between properties as smooth as possible. And suppliers often also offer the option of taking them with you to the new property.
  

• Take final meter readings
  Taking final meter readings is essential for an accurate last bill at your old property, as well as making sure you don’t end up paying for any energy used after you’ve vacated it.
  Just before you move out, make a note of all of your meter readings and send them to your supplier, who’ll then calculate your final bill.

What to do when you’ve moved into your new property

• Find out which company supplies your new property
  You may have already asked the previous tenants who the current suppliers are. You can also ask the letting agent or landlord, but if bills aren’t inclusive, the chances are they won’t know because they’re not responsible for energy bills at the property.
  If you don’t know who your energy supplier or suppliers are yet, you can check online at Find My Supplier for gas and ring your property’s local Distribution Network Officer (DNO) for electricity. You can check who your local DNO is here.
  Read our handy ‘Who supplies my gas and electricity’ guide for more information about how to track your new property’s providers down.
  Even if you’re taking your previous supplier with you and not using the one currently supplying the property, it’s important to know the previous supplier in case there’s a changeover period where you’ll still need to pay them.

• Settle any outstanding balances
  You’ll get your last energy bill for your old property after a few days once your previous supplier has calculated your bill from your final meter readings. If you decide to switch suppliers and this is still in process, you’ll also need to pay for the energy you use with the existing supplier at your new property.

• Make a dent in your energy bills by becoming more energy efficient
  A new move is a new opportunity to save more energy and money. Even small changes in habits can make a big difference. For example, switching electronics off at the mains when not in use, not opening the oven door to take a peek when cooking, and blocking draughty doors and windows can go a long way in saving you money.
  Check out our energy saving tips guide for 40 simple solutions to help you save more, both in the short and long term.

Can you switch energy suppliers in a rental property?

If you’re responsible for the energy bills at your property and pay the energy supplier directly, you can absolutely change energy suppliers if you don’t like the current one, and choose any you like.

You can do this either by asking your old supplier to take over the new property while notifying them of your move, or switching after you move in.

Always check your tenancy agreement before you do anything. In some cases, a default energy supplier is written into the tenancy agreement, or you’re required to return the account to be returned to the original supplier when you move out.

How to switch your energy supplier when renting

• If you’re switching energy suppliers by taking the supplier from your previous property with you, let them know you want to take them with you when you notify them of your move date and new address. They’ll then often arrange the switch for you.

• If you’re not taking your current supplier with you, now’s the time to look for better deals. Compare different suppliers’ tariffs, as well as what other services they offer that might benefit you. You can find excellent-value energy deals with UW here.

• Once you’ve found one that suits you, tell them you’d like to switch to them – in most cases, they’ll then handle the switch for you, including contacting the supplier you want to switch away from.

Switching energy suppliers with a smart meter

Don’t worry, you can switch energy suppliers if you have a smart meter. The process is similar to if you’re moving from and to properties with traditional energy meters: just let your chosen supplier know you want to switch to them, and they’ll do the rest.

During the transfer, your new supplier will be able to tell if your new property has a smart meter or not, and if it’ll work in the same way (if you’re moving from a property that also has a smart meter).

If you’re moving from a property with a smart meter to one without, you’ll have to start taking manual meter readings once you move in. And if you’re going from a property without a smart meter to a property with one, you can start enjoying automatic meter readings.

If both your old and new properties have a second-generation smart meter, switching will be seamless. But if both properties have a first-generation smart meter, you may end up having to take manual meter readings at your new property if the meter is a different make and model. This is because earlier smart meters used different communication systems with different suppliers, so each model only works with specific suppliers. If you’re not sure which type you have, give your energy supplier a ring to double-check.

Switching energy suppliers with a prepayment meter

If you want to change energy suppliers and you have a prepayment meter without debt at your current property, you can easily switch. If you have debt that’s over £500, you usually won’t be able to switch suppliers – but you can if your debt is under £500. Either the new supplier will agree to take on the debt, or take responsibility for collecting the debt on behalf of your old supplier.

Learn more about switching suppliers if you’re paying for your energy with a prepayment meter.

The landlord’s responsibilities if they’re paying the energy bills

If bills aren’t inclusive in your tenancy agreement and you’re paying your landlord to pay for energy bills, then your landlord must:

• Not charge you more than for the energy you’re using (called the ‘maximum resale price’), and

• Pass on savings from any government support.

Your landlord can only charge you for energy if the tenancy agreement says they can, and can’t charge you for gas and electricity if you’re paying the supplier directly. Always double-check your tenancy agreement before so you know exactly what to expect.

Bundle your bills for more simplicity and savings

If your new property has both gas and electricity, you don’t have to go for two different providers. In fact, some providers offer both.

Utility Warehouse (UW) goes one step further and offers a whole range of home services, including broadband, mobile and insurance, as well as gas and electricity. And the more services you take, the bigger the discount we give you.

Another advantage to bundling your home services is that you only get one bill a month and one account, making it easier to track your outgoings and giving you only one password to remember. Plus, becoming a UW customer gives you access to the UW Cashback Card, which lets you earn up to 10% cashback at participating retailers and 1% elsewhere.All the cashback you earn is automatically taken off your monthly UW bill, helping you save as you spend.