Moving into your new home is always exciting, but can also be very stressful. There’s plenty to worry about, which is why so many people totally overlook the importance of setting up their utilities correctly.
Here at One Utility Bill, we’re all about making managing your utilities as easy as possible. With that goal in mind, we’ve created this step-by-step guide to setting up gas and electricity in your new home for UK renters and buyers alike.
If you’re moving from one place to another, you’ll need to notify your current supplier to ensure no unexpected charges will come your way. We’ll cover the best way to do this, plus how to set up gas and electric with a new supplier, read your new meter and consolidate your payments, in this comprehensive guide.
Let’s get started…
If you are leaving your current home and moving to another, then you’ll need to follow a few steps to make the process as smooth as possible.
The last thing you want when you’re settling into your new home is an unexpected bill from your last place, so notify your energy supplier as soon as possible. Aim to give them at least 48 hours as a general idea. Provide them with a forwarding address for your final bill and inform them of the details of the new owners or tenants if you know them.
When you’re saying your final farewell to your old home, be sure to take meter readings. Take a photo so you have dated proof of the readings, just in case there are any discrepancies with the new tenants or owners.
If possible, ask the previous owners or the landlord who currently supplies the energy to your new home. This might not always be possible, but it’s good to know and will save time overall. Remember, you are not contractually obligated to use the existing utility supplier to the property; you, as the tenant or owner, can choose who provides your utilities.
The supplier for your old home might not be the best option for your new one, so it’s always smart to shop around when you move. If you haven’t chosen a supplier by the time you move in, you may be charged deemed rates, which are typically more expensive.
Congrats! You’ve moved into your new home. It’s a dream come true, but also probably one of the most stressful things you’ve ever done.
While you’re navigating unpacking and decorating, don’t forget to take control of your utility bills. It’s easy to put it off, but complacency now could lead to added stress and even more expensive bills in the future.
As soon as you move in, take a photo of the meter, just like you did in your old home. Then you will know how much gas and electricity you are liable for. Can’t find the meter? Check under the stairs, in the cupboards or even in the garage.
Remember, you don’t have to use them, but you do need to know who is currently supplying the utilities to your property. Haven’t got a clue? Here are a couple of ways to find out the property’s current suppliers:
Image: The Energy Networks Association network operator finder tool.
Image: Meter Point Administration Service 'Find My Supplier' tool.
Does the gas and electricity actually work at your new home? It might seem obvious, but that’s one of the very first things to check when you walk in the door. Other initial checks include finding the trip switch, mains gas valve and fuse box.
Find out who you need to contact if there is an emergency or no supply– this is all information you should hopefully get from the landlord or past owners, but your current supplier should also be able to tell you everything you need to know to ensure maximum safety in your new home.
It might seem like every home has its own unique meter. This is, of course, not true, but it doesn’t make it any less complicated to locate and accurately read the meters, especially when you’re already overwhelmed from the big move.
Here’s a quick guide to reading different meter types:
Image: Diagram of different meter types.
Earlier in this guide, we talked about the Meter Point Reference Number (MPAN) for gas. There is also a Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) for electricity meters. These numbers are unique to your meters and can be used to link your meter to your specific supply point. Finding out this number and keeping it on file, is important, as you’ll need to give it to your new supplier so they can track where your energy is coming from.
If you can’t access (or even find) your meter, then you will need to speak to your landlord or the former homeowner as soon as possible. Since getting an early meter reading is vital to ensure you’re billed accurately for what you use, it’s super important to get access to your meter.
Now you’re settled in your new home, it’s time to turn your attention to getting the very best deal for your utility bills. Here’s the process:
Picking a new supplier can be daunting, especially if you have both gas and electricity. Consolidate these efforts with the team at One Utility Bill, who will find you the best deals for both of your utilities, as well as water and even broadband, and then roll it all into one simple bill.
Price is obviously an important factor for your decision process, but you might also want to consider sustainability and, more specifically, where your energy is coming from. Renewable energy is a hot topic and one that is frequently misunderstood. Discover where it comes from, and ways to be more sustainable with your energy usage, in this blog.
Depending on your situation, you will be offered fixed and flexible energy tariffs. Fixed tariffs are becoming more common as wholesale energy prices settle following a period of turbulence. These tariffs offer fixed rates even if the energy price cap changes. Flexible or variable rates will change with external factors, but there are other benefits, like rolling contracts and lower or no exit fees.
Learn more about fixed and variable rates in our dedicated guide.
There are typically a couple of different ways to pay for your energy:
As we’ve mentioned, you don’t have to stick with the property’s current supplier, and you certainly shouldn’t settle for the deemed rates without first shopping around.
When it comes to utilities, there are a few things renters and homeowners should know. If you’re moving from rented into your very own home, or vice versa, then this section will help clarify any differences in how your utilities are managed.
For both homeowners and tenants, setting up gas and electric in a new home can be a source of stress and frustration, especially when you might be unfamiliar with the current supplier, the meter or even the payment system. Hopefully, this guide has given you insight into the process of moving home and what that means for your utilities.
In an ideal world, your utility bill would be consolidated into one single bill, both providing the best deal and reducing the pesky paperwork. Luckily, One Utility Bill is turning that ideal world into a reality, having created a one-bill system that saves both time and money, two of the most important factors for anyone moving house. Get a quote for your one monthly bill with zero hassle today.