Moving home can be stressful, but with some forward planning you can remove a lot of the hassle and anxiety.
Your gas and electricity supply is a good example. There’s lots you can do ahead of the move itself to make sure your bills are sorted out and you get a competitive deal at your new property.
Before you move
- Contact your supplier, either to close your account or to ask whether you can transfer it to the new address. This might be worth considering if you are part way through a good fixed term deal, and if there are exit fees to pay for leaving early. Try to give them at least 48 hours’ notice. Use online chat services, if available, to avoid lengthy waiting periods on the telephone. Our energy supplier guide pages will help you find the contact details you’ll need to get in touch with your supplier.
- Take a meter reading on your last day in the property, and keep a note of it. Your supplier may ask you to send this to them, or it may organize a meter reading at the property.
- Give your new address to your existing supplier so they can send you a closing bill or refund any accumulated balance in your account, or manage the transfer of your current deal.
Moving day
- Make a note of meter readings at your new address. If you haven’t arranged to transfer your existing tariff, you will inherit a ‘deemed’ contract, which you will stay on until you switch.
After you move
- Settle the final bill for your old property when it arrives at your new address.
- Check your bank account for refunds: If your account is in credit, you should be refunded this sum automatically. The cash due to you should go into your current account or you may receive a cheque in the post.
- If you owe money to your old supplier, this sum may be taken via a single direct debit payment. If you are more than £500 in debt, you will not be able to switch supplier, and you’ll either need to clear or reduce the debt ahead of your move or transfer your current deal to your new property. Give your supplier as much notice as possible of your moving plans.
- Consult the Energy Performance Certificate you receive from the seller or your landlord – it will contain detailed advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of the property.
If you don’t know the supplier
The previous owner will ideally have left details of the property’s energy supplier, or the estate agent might have the information - but don’t panic if this isn’t available.
You can visit the Ofgem website for information on how to identify the gas and electricity suppliers at your new home.
You are responsible for the energy supply to the property once you become the legal owner, so make sure to provide your details as soon as possible.
Switching suppliers
Switching suppliers when you move is a quick and easy process and you could save a substantial amount by changing your provider. Follow the steps below to see how much you could save.
Switch and save with Energy Monitor
Switching your energy supplier is quicker and easier with MoneySuperMarket’s Energy Monitor. We’ll let you know as soon as there’s a cheaper tariff available for you, so you can effortlessly switch and save money on your energy bill.
What if your new home has a prepayment meter?
Hopefully, if there is a prepayment meter, the estate agent or landlord should be able to provide the key or card that is used to top-up the meter, along with instructions on how to operate it.
Generally, prepyment meters are fitted in rented properties or for customers who have struggled to pay bills in the past.
However, it’s unlikely you’ll get the best tariff on a prepayment meter, so if you’re buying the property, explore whether you can move to a standard credit meter. If you’re renting, ask the landlord if you can switch to a standard credit meter, enabling you to pay bills every month or quarter.
Remember - you’re not obliged to stay on the same tariff on your prepayment meter when you move in. Our energy channel can help you find a prepayment tariff that’s best suited to your usage, which can bring down how much you pay.
Rented accommodation
The only difference to the process if you move into a rented property is that you may need to supply readings to your landlord, alongside the supplier.
You are entitled to switch suppliers if you find a better deal elsewhere – you don’t need your landlord’s permission, unless their name is on the bill.
For more tips and advice when moving home, head to our Homemovers’ article hub.
Business premises
When you move into a business new premises, you’ll automatically be transferred onto a ‘deemed’ rate with the building’s current suppliers. These are expensive rates so it’s worth using this opportunity to negotiate a better energy deal.
To switch to a better business gas and electricity contract, give our energy experts a call on 0800 088 6986, and try to have the following information to hand:
- A recent energy bill
- Your business's registration information
- Your MPAN and MPRN numbers from your bill or meter
- Your current contract's end date
- The date your switching window opens
To find out more, check out our Moving your business premises page.
