Moving house: Dealing With Your Energy Supply

How do I get gas and electricity in my new house?

Your new home should hopefully already get gas and electricity supplied to it before you move. Nonetheless, it’s important to make a trip to your new home before moving day (where feasible) to ensure that the property is connected to the National Grid. Test lights and any gas appliances in the home. If you receive no response, check to see if the previous occupant has shut off the gas supply at the main, or shut off the main breaker on the property’s fuse box.

In the vast majority of cases, your new home will be placed under a "deemed contract" with whoever the previous occupant/owner chose to supply the property. This will almost certainly be on a standard or default variable tariff. As such, it will probably be the supplier’s least competitive rate. But the good news is that this tariff will be flexible. So you can leave at any time.

As a savvy energy consumer, it’s up to you to ensure that you leave sooner rather than later. That is why we are here to help because we know that following the energy market is very time consuming (I mean, we work full time trying to keep up!) and we don't want you to have to spend more time than you have to. When you give our experts a call at the number on top of the page, they will help you switch within only 20 minutes! No research is required!

How do I add electricity to my new house?

If your new home is without electricity, you’ll need to contact your area’s local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to see if there is a connection. Your DNO can also inform you who currently supplies energy to the property if nobody has made you aware yet. If you are not sure who your DNO is, then you can look for your DNO in the table below:

How do I add gas to my new house?

How your local DNO operates around electricity, your local gas transporter plays a similar role for supplying homes with gas. These companies are responsible for maintaining the flow of gas to your home, so when you move and want to ensure your house is adequately supplied, you should call your local gas transporter.

If you are not sure who your local gas transporter is, you can find them on the table below:

What happens to my energy supplier when I move house?

When you move to your new house, your current supplier will send you a final bill for the remainder of your use before the new occupant is responsible for the supply. Unfortunately, you cannot set up a supply in your new house in advance, as you are not legally responsible for the property’s energy supply until the day you move in.

If you are moving into a rented property, we have a specific article for you here: Moving into a rented property. Also, if you are a landlord, make sure your house is certified under the EPC Register.

You’ll need to contact our current supplier 48 hours (at the very latest) before you move. This will help to ensure a smooth transition. Once you’ve moved into your new home, you can start making arrangements with your previous supplier (or any other of your choosing).

Can you switch suppliers as soon as you move in?

Yes, absolutely. Why spend any longer than you have to on an expensive deemed contract? If you have the time to spare (and you’re not too exhausted), you can even make arrangements to change supplier on the day you move in. If nobody has made you aware of who currently supplies energy to your new home, you can ask your DNO or check via the Find My Supplier website.

Be advised, however, that your switch will not be instantaneous. It will take between 17-21 days for your new supplier to arrange the energy transfer of your supply with the incumbent supplier. Once this has occurred, you’ll receive a first and final bill from the property’s old supplier to cover the energy use in your first few weeks in the property.

How do I transfer utilities after moving house?

Before moving day, you’ll need to carry out a series of checks and tasks to ensure a smooth transition. The good news is that these are fairly straightforward. Make the time to fit them into your moving schedule and you’ll be able to enjoy cheaper energy for longer.

Checklist: before you move

There’s a lot to deal with in the run-up to moving day. However, if you make time for the following, you can ensure a smooth and cost-effective transition and enjoy cheaper energy in your new home.

• Start comparing energy prices for your new home. Your current supplier might not necessarily give you the best deal in your new property, so it might be worth making a switch when you move
• If you’re adamant that you want to carry your current tariff across into your new home, make sure that there are no barriers (i.e. the meter is the same and the new property has the same fuels).
• Notify your existing supplier of your move 48 hours before moving day (at the latest).
• Find out who supplies energy to your new home in advance. It’ll make the following steps much easier.

Additionally, we have created a checklist on property inventory to help our customers out. At Switch Plan, we are always here to help along the way.

Checklist: on moving day

Amidst the carnage of your moving day, try and make time to carry out the following steps. It’ll make your new home’s energy supply much easier in the long term.

• Take a meter reading from your old home and make sure you report it to your current supplier.
• Leave a note for your home’s new owner/occupant advising them who currently supplies gas and electricity to your previous home.
• Take a meter reading at your new home, and report it to the supplier to ensure that you are billed accurately by your new supplier.
• You may want to switch off gas and electricity at the main, or at the very least turn off all appliances. This ensures that the property is as safe as possible and that the new occupant doesn’t pay for energy that they haven’t used.
• Leave a forwarding address so that the new occupant, landlord, letting agent etc. can contact you if anything requires clarification.

Checklist: after you move

The first few days in your new home will be a bittersweet time of unpacking, teething issues with your new home and making happy memories with your family, even as you miss your old home. Amidst this, it’s important that you follow our moving house checklist and make time to:

• Contact your property’s incumbent supplier and find out what tariffs and rates you’re on. This will help you to make more accurate price comparisons.
• You may want to perform one more price comparison before deciding whether to stay with your old supplier or choose a brand new one.
• Contact your new supplier and start the ball rolling. You’ll be free of your costly deemed contract within 17-21 days.

Who do I need to tell when I’m moving house?

It’s important to inform your existing energy supplier of your move at least 48 hours before moving out. It’s also a good idea to inform your phone and broadband provider, and the TV Licensing authority. Not to mention notifying the DVLA in order to change the address on your driving license. If you're moving out of your business buildings, check out our article here: Moving business premises

You should also inform your local council and the electoral roll when you’re moving home.

Ideally, you should contact all parties around 2-3 weeks before your moving day.

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When should you turn off electricity when moving?

If it’s likely that your previous home will be unoccupied for a long period of time, before new occupants move in, you may want to shut off the electricity. And perhaps even the gas as well. Some people do this as a safety measure, as well as ensuring that no unaccounted-for energy is used in the interstice between occupants.

As such, you may want to switch off the mains electricity by flipping the main breaker in the fuse box to the "off" position. You may also want to shut off the main gas valve just to be on the safe side. It may also be considerate to leave a note advising the new occupant that you have done this so that they do not mistakenly believe that their new home has been cut off from the grid.

Make sure you get the best rates before moving day!

As we can see, there’s a lot to consider if you want to start saving money on your energy as soon as possible in your new home. As important as it is to scour the market for the best gas and electricity deals for your new property, not everyone has time to do so. Especially as the big day draws nearer.

That’s where we come in! Let us handle your energy needs for you and your family. We won't bite! We promise. Just give us a call at the number below. Sound good?

Call us today on 0330 818 6223 to find out more. We’re available from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Would you like to know more information related to moving house? Great! Check out some of our related articles

1. Energy Management
2. Setting up gas and electricity in a new home
3. Energy meter

FAQ

How do I get gas and electricity in my new house?

You should already have an electricity and gas supply in your new home. If not, you will need to contact your local District Network Operator to set up a new connection. However, this will take several weeks, so it’s important to check that your new home is connected before you move in.

Keep in mind that you will be on a “deemed contract” with the previous occupant’s chosen energy supplier, so it’s important to take meter readings as soon as you move in and take steps to switch suppliers or tariffs as early as possible.

What do I need to cancel when moving house?

You should notify your current energy supplier at least 48 hours before your moving day. You may also want to notify your phone and broadband provider, as well as your local council, the TV Licensing Authority and the DVLA

How long does it take to switch energy supplier?

When you switch energy supply in your new home, it’s important to remember that the switch is not instantaneous. It can take anywhere between 17 and 21 days.

Does it cost money to switch utilities?

Not at all. In fact, switching can usually *save* you hundreds of pounds every year. Which is why Ofgem recommends that energy consumers switch suppliers every 12-18 months in order to keep the market competitive and keep prices low. If you choose a fixed-term energy contract, you should consider switching within 49 days of your contract’s expiry. You can leave within this time period without incurring any early exit fees.