How to deal with your energy supplier when moving house?

Let your energy supplier know you are moving at least 48 hours before you go

Moving house is the ideal opportunity to review your energy arrangements and check you're on the best energy deal for your needs. The following steps explain how to choose a new energy supplier when you move house.

Before you move home

Step 1 – notify your current energy supplier

Ring your energy supplier at least 48 hours before your move. Tell your energy supplier the date of your move and your new address so it can send you a final bill.

Your energy supplier will organise a meter reading or ask you to take a meter reading on the day of your move. Find contact details for your energy supplier in our energy suppliers FAQs section.

Step 2 – take a meter reading on moving day

If your energy supplier does not organise a meter reading, you should take meter readings before you leave your property and supply them to your existing energy supplier.

If you rent a property you should take a note of your meter readings and confirm these with your landlord before you move out. You should also give these meter readings to your existing gas and electricity suppliers.

Keep a record of meter readings and the dates on which they were taken, to avoid being overcharged by your energy company, in case there are any discrepancies on your final gas and electricity bills. It's also a good idea to let the new occupants of your home know which energy company has been supplying the property. You could leave a note, or inform your landlord or estate agent.

What to do after you move home

Take gas and electricity meter readings when you move into a property

Step 1 – find out which energy company supplies your new home

When you move into a new property you'll automatically be placed on a 'deemed contract' with the energy company that has been supplying the property up until your move-in date.

You will need to take gas and electricity meter readings in your new property and give these to the existing gas and electricity supplier of the property.

To find out who supplies the gas to your new home, phone the meter number helpline on 0870 608 1524.

To find out who supplies the electricity to your new property, contact the local electricity distribution company. Its telephone number will be in the telephone directory under 'Electricity'. You should ask for the company’s meter point administration service (MPAS).

Step 2 – give the existing energy supplier meter readings

Ring your new property's existing energy supplier and give them your details, meter readings from your new property and the date when you moved in.

You'll need to set up a new account with this energy supplier to use while you decide which company you'd like to supply your gas and electricity on a longer-term basis.

It takes just a few minutes to run an energy switching quote using Which? Switch

Step 3 – check you are getting the best deal on your gas and electricity

Use Which? Switch to find the best energy deal for your new home. If you don't know how much energy you're likely to use in your new property, our switching tool can estimate it for you. Our guide to switching energy supplier explains how to change gas and electricity companies using Which? Switch.

If you've moved into a rented property, check the terms of your lease or speak to your landlord to see if you're allowed to change energy suppliers. If you can't change energy suppliers, you may be able to reduce your bills by switching to a cheaper tariff or payment method.

See our guides to understanding energy tariffs and energy bill payment methods to see which energy tariffs could help you save money on energy bills.

Step 4 - switch energy suppliers using Which? Switch

Choose a new energy tariff using our switching tool and wait for the switch to take place. Your new energy supplier will organise your switch and contact you to let you know when it is due to take place.

Step 5 - completing your energy supplier switch

It takes between six and eight weeks to switch supplier - your new energy supplier will usually contact you within two weeks of the actual switching date. To ensure the switch goes smoothly, you can:

take a meter reading on the date that your new energy supplier specifies for the switch, and give this to both your old and new energy suppliers;
contact the energy supplier you are leaving to settle your old energy bills - this will help speed up the switching process;
cancel any direct debit arrangements with your old energy supplier after your final bill has been paid.

You don't need to inform your existing energy company if you decide to switch. Your new gas and electricity supplier will advise your old energy company of the change. See our FAQs section for all you need to know about changing energy supplier before and after your switch.

What to do if you move into a house with a prepayment meter

Prepayment meter customers pay for energy in advance

Before you move into a property with a prepayment meter you should contact the supplier who owns the meter so it can update its records. You should call at least three days before you move in.

To find out who supplies the gas to your new home, phone the meter number helpline on 0870 608 1524.

Your new energy company will then be able to send you a new key card so you can purchase credit for your prepayment meter. You shouldn't use the previous occupant's key card unless specifically instructed to do so by the energy supplier, as any credit you buy will be added to their account.

If you'd prefer a standard (credit) meter in your new property, you can request one from the existing energy supplier. However, if you are a new customer it may not agree to change the prepayment meter to a credit meter until you have been a customer for some time. You may also be required to pay a security deposit and the supplier may do a credit check.

Although there's normally a charge for the installation of a new energy meter, standard meter energy tariffs are cheaper than prepayment tariffs.

Cut your energy bills with Which? Switch

The average saving when switching gas and electricity is £217 - compare gas and electricity tariffs now to find the best deal for you.

This figure is based on the 53,459 households who switched suppliers using Which? Switch and The Big Switch between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012.

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