How to Take Over Energy Utilities When Moving House

Summary

• Give your provider at least 48 hours' notice before you move out. 

• Take meter readings on the day you move out of your old home, and the day you move into your new one.

• Find out who the previous utility supplier to your new property was, as you’ll automatically be placed on a deemed contract with them.

• Deemed contracts are often the most expensive tariffs, so shopping around can help you find a better deal and save money.

Which utilities do I need to switch when I move?

When you move house, you’ll need to let your energy provider (for both gas, and electricity, or just electricity if you don’t have gas) and your water provider know that you’re moving.

Unlike gas and electricity, water is typically supplied by just one provider per area – so if you’re moving to a new area, you’ll need to check who the water provider of your new postcode is, and set up a new account with them if they’re different from your current one.

But with gas and electricity, there’s more choice because there’s no one set provider for one area. So you’ll often have the option to either bring your current provider with you when you move, or cancel your account with them and choose another.

The new property you’re moving to will already have an energy provider supplying the address, and it may be a different one from the one you’re currently using. So it’s important that you follow the right steps to sort your energy supply and make your move as smooth as possible.

Follow our handy guide to find out what you need to do and when.

What do I need to do before I move?

1. Let your current energy supplier know that you’re moving – you’ll need to do this even if the new property you’re moving into is also supplied by them. Giving your supplier the date when you’re moving helps make sure the moving process is smooth and that you won’t end up paying extra for standing charges and any energy used after you’ve moved out. You’ll need to let them know if you’d like to take them with you or if you’d like to cancel your account with them.

2. Give your supplier a forwarding address – so they can still contact you after you move (e.g. to update you about any refunds if you’re in credit). This is particularly important if you’re cancelling your contract instead of taking them with you to the new property.

3. Find out who supplies the gas and electricity at the new property – check out the tariffs the company (or companies, if different for gas and electricity) offer, and see if you can find a better deal, or if it’s worth carrying your current provider over. See how to find out who supplies gas and electricity to a property here.

4. Take a final meter reading – on your move-out date, take final meter readings for your utilities and share them with your provider so they can provide you with an accurate final bill.

5. Check if you’re currently on a fixed tariff – check with your current supplier if you can take it with you without additional fees. In some cases, the price of your fixed tariff will change depending on the region. And in other cases, for example, if you choose not to take it with you, you may be charged an early exit fee for terminating the contract before it ends. You can also check the difference between fixed and variable tariffs, and more about Utility Warehouse’s (UW’s) fixed tariffs here.

6. Check if you currently have a smart meter – you’ll need to leave both your smart meter and your in-home display when you move out, along with any guides that came with the smart meter. The in-home display won’t work if it’s taken elsewhere, and if your new property has a smart meter, it should already have its own in-home display. See our smart meters page to find out more about them, and read our complete guide to smart meters, which goes into even more detail.

What do I need to do after I move?

1. Settle the final bill for your old property – your provider at your old property will have sent you your final bill based on your closing meter readings.

2. Take meter readings at your new property – this is to make sure you’re only charged for the energy you’ve used when you move in and set up an account with an energy provider.

3. Contact the new property’s current supplier – even if you’re taking the supplier from your old property with you, or you’ve found an entirely different supplier you’d like to switch to, you’ll need to set up an account with the property’s current supplier to cover the cost of the energy you use before the switchover has been finalised. Give them your move-in date and your opening meter readings. This sets up your account and ensures your first bill is accurate.

4. Decide whether to stay or switch — You’ll be placed on a deemed contract with your property’s current supplier, which is often their most expensive standard variable tariffs. However, you aren't tied into a deemed contract, so you’re free to shop around and compare against other tariffs. This is the perfect time to look for a better energy deal.

Both before and after moving, you may also need to know the Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) for your old and new electricity meters and your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for your old and new gas meters. Read more in our guide to MPANs and MPRNs.

How much notice do I need to give when moving home?

You should give your current energy supplier at least 48 hours’ notice before your move-out date to make the transition easier.

While 48 hours is the minimum, letting them know as soon as possible can save you from the last-minute stress of any unexpected issues. If possible, giving up to 28 days' notice before you move will give your suppliers plenty of time to start the switching process.

How long will it take to switch energy suppliers?

From the time you sign up with a new supplier, it normally takes up to five working days for the switch to be completed. With UW, the switch can take as few as two days, and can be tracked via the UW app.

If you’re already with us, we have a dedicated Homemovers team to help make your switch as fuss-free as possible. If not, check out our great value gas and electricity deals on our  Energy page.

Remember – the more services you bundle with UW, the more discounts you’ll get. And with just one monthly bill and one account for all your home services, you’ll have less time to spend on dealing with multiple providers and more time to enjoy your new home.

Got your energy covered for your move? We also offer a range of excellent-value broadband packages to get you online. View our broadband and full-fibre deals here.

What do I need to do if I move into a rental property?

In some cases, the cost of the property’s energy bills is included in the rent and paid for by the landlord. This is usually stated upfront before you sign your tenancy agreement, and if it isn’t clear, it’s important to check first.

If energy bills are included, the landlord will already have a gas and/or electricity provider supplying the property, and you won’t be able to change it yourself without their permission. However, if you find out who the supplier is and find a better deal with a different one, you can let your landlord know and ask them to switch to the supplier you’ve found – but the final decision lies with the landlord.

If energy bills aren’t included at your new rental property, you have the right to choose your own energy supplier without your landlord’s permission. So it’s up to you to take your current energy provider with you and to set up an account with the one that’s already supplying the new property as soon as you move in.

Find out more about switching energy suppliers when renting.

What to do if your new home has a prepayment meter

If you move into a home with a prepayment meter, or pay-as-you-go meter, you’ll need to take slightly different steps to take over your utilities. Prepayment meters are common in rental properties and require you to pay for your energy before you use it by topping up a key, card, or app.

The most important thing to remember is: do not add any money to the meter or use the previous occupant's key or card until you’ve contacted the supplier.

Once you’ve told the supplier you’ve moved in, they’ll need to clear any debt left on the meter by the previous tenant so you don’t end up paying for their energy. They should set up a new account in your name and send you a new prepayment key or card, so you can start adding money to the meter.

Don’t forget that you aren’t stuck with a prepayment meter. Once you’ve settled in, you can ask your supplier to swap it for a smart prepayment meter, or shop around for pay-as-you-go tariffs with better rates.

What to do if you’re moving into a new build home

Moving into a new build house or apartment is an exciting blank slate, but it comes with a specific set of utility tasks.

Your housebuilder or developer should provide you with a handover pack that explains which company currently supplies the property. The pack should include your property’s MPAN and MPRN numbers, which are essential for making sure your address is correctly registered on the national database.

If you’re moving into a new apartment block, sometimes meters can be accidentally mixed up during installation. Check that the serial number on your physical meter matches the one on your first bill to ensure you aren't paying for your neighbour's heating. Spotting any mix-ups before switching suppliers will save you a headache in the long run, as you’ll only need to contact one supplier.

Setting up utilities as a first-time buyer

Moving into your first home is a huge milestone, but it might also be the first time you’ll be solely responsible for the energy, broadband, and water that keep the house running. Here’s a quick-start guide for first-time buyers:

1. Find out your supplier and contract — When you move in, you’ll be placed on a temporary deemed contract with the existing supplier until you set up your own account. Knowing your rates for this contract means you can start shopping around for a better deal.

2. Look for a cheaper deal — Now that you’ve got an idea of how much you’re paying on your deemed contract, compare tariffs and rates from other providers to find a cheaper option.

3. Locate the ‘Big Three’ — Find your fuse box (consumer unit), your water stopcock, and your gas isolation valve. Knowing where these are now will save a lot of stress if there’s a leak or a tripped switch while you’re unpacking.

4. Submit your first readings — Take a photo of your gas and electricity meters on the day you complete your purchase. This is your baseline and means your first bill won’t include any costs from the previous owner's final days.

5. Check your broadband early — Unlike energy, broadband isn't always readily available to turn on. It can take 2–3 weeks to get a new connection activated, so make this one of your first priorities to avoid being without internet in your first few weeks.