Complete Guide to Setting Up Utilities When Moving House

Quick links:

• Your pre-move utility action plan
  •  Notify current suppliers
  • Understand your fixed tariff
  • Gather information about your new home
  • Inform council
  • Broadband planning
  • Research new deals
  • Inform TV Licensing
  • For tenants
• Moving day checklist
• Setting up your utilities in your new home
  • Find and contact energy suppliers
  • Set up water bill
  • Register for Council Tax
  • Install and activate broadband
  • Set up a TV Licence
• Why consider switching utility suppliers?
• Other things to consider
  • For renters
    
• Take control of your utilities

Setting up your utilities can be one of the biggest headaches when you're moving house. It's the worst combination of important, boring and complex, and it can be time-consuming, too.

It’s not just the admin of setting up the bills that takes time,  you might be on hold to suppliers, or end up needing a broadband engineer which can take up to 3 weeks! 

This guide covers the process of setting up your new home’s utilities, including:

• Energy
• Water
• Council tax
• Broadband
• TV Licensing.

Find out how to avoid billing issues, minimise service interruptions, and create a predictable bill cycle, so you can get on with the settling in to your new place, rather than worrying about bills.

This guide covers all the details, whether you're buying or renting, so keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know to make your move as hassle-free as possible. 

Get organised a few weeks before your move to get rid of a few common obstacles that come up when you're sorting utilities. FYI: You only need to sort setup like this if you don't have a bills package.

✅ Notify current suppliers

Inform your current energy, water, broadband, and other providers as soon as possible. This should ideally be 2-4 weeks before you move. If you're moving last minute, aim for at least 48 hours before. The more notice you give, the more likely it is you'll get an accurate final bill.

You’ll need to take final meter readings on the day you move out and send these to the suppliers, and the landlord if you're a tenant. 

✅ Understand your fixed tariff

If you're on this type of energy tariff, you’ll need to find out how the exit process works. Ask the supplier if there are any additional fees or other policies to be aware of, and how these will be handled when you move. 

✅ Gather information about your new home

Speak with the current owner or landlord to find out the current utility suppliers at your new place. This isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can make things a bit easier during the first week of your move. If you're struggling to find this info, try the following places: 

• Gas and electricity: Find My Supplier tool
• Water: Find my water supplier tool from Water UK
• Broadband: Check the router or connection point

✅ Inform council

Find out your local council on the government website. Let the council know you're moving, whether you'll remain within their boundaries or not, so you don’t end up with any unexpected council tax bills. You can do this on their website or via phone. Ask them to send you written confirmation for your records. 

Tenants usually pay council tax, but it's a good idea to check your tenancy agreement to confirm. A common exception is Houses in Multiple Occupancy (HMOs). 

✅ Broadband planning

Broadband installation and setup can often take a few weeks (if you need an engineer appointment). Start setting up ahead of your move to get an engineer appointment scheduled ASAP. If you have broadband at your current place, and you're happy with your provider, check to see if they can transfer your account to your new address. It's also a good idea  to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best broadband deal and the fastest internet speeds.

If you're renting: You'll need to get your landlord's permission if physical changes are needed to the property to install your broadband. This usually isn't a problem, because having a decent internet connection is in the landlord's interest too.

Check out our guide to setting up your broadband when you move.

✅ Check out new deals

Knowing your utility costs will make it much easier to set up your budget, so scope out the best deals for each of your utilities to make sure you're getting the best deal.

A bills package is another good way to get on top of your budget. Choose an energy deal that suits you, with Unlimited Energy options, plus your choice of broadband, water, TV licence and TV package. You'll pay your chosen utilities in one, easy monthly payment, making your finances easier long term too. 

✅ Inform TV Licensing

You’ll need a TV Licence if you watch live TV (on Freeview, Sky or even through a streaming service), and/or you watch anything on BBC iPlayer, which includes pre-recorded and streamed television and films. 

If you already have a TV Licence at your current property, you can transfer it to your new address by simply notifying them up to three months before you move. For first-timers, you can easily set up a new TV Licence online, or even roll it into your single bill package with One Utility Bill. 

Get to grips with TV Licensing in our comprehensive guide.

For tenants

Check your tenancy agreement to determine what you’re responsible for paying and any restrictions that apply. If you’re still unsure, speak to your new landlord ahead of the move to save time and hassle on the day. 

Before you hand over the keys to your old place, there are a few things you need to do for a smooth transition. 

Take final meter readings ✅
This confirms how much energy you actually used with your supplier (and the landlord, if applicable) for your final bill. Take a photo on your smartphone, because it'll have the time and date stamp in its metadata, avoiding confusion later. Check out our guide to meter readings for more info. 

Check supply 👀
Confirm that the gas, electricity, and water are all working at your new home. If you're not sure, your estate agent or letting agent will know. Your broadband connection could involve a bit of a wait if you need an engineer appointment. 

Take initial meter readings ✅
On moving day, find the meters in you new home and take readings AND photos. Photos will help with accurate readings, and are helpful in case of disputes later.

How to find meters and main switches 🔎
Our meter reading guide has good tips for finding your meter, but the cupboard under the stairs, under the sink, or in boxes outside are common locations.

If you're renting: Give initial readings to your landlord or letting agent in case of disputes, as well as the current supplier for an accurate bill.
If you're buying: Give initial readings to the current supplier for an accurate bill.

You’re finally in! You’ve done the initial checks…now it’s time to get everything set up. 

💡 Find and contact energy suppliers

Your property will already be connected to a utility company. Even if you plan to switch, you still need to send initial meter readings.

Our guide to setting up gas and electricity in your new home covers the steps in more detail.

Getting set up with a supplier ASAP is important, because before you do that you're on deemed rates, which are more expensive. Getting set up will save you money,

You could always create your own custom bills package to make this easier, if you like. You choose and energy deal, and add your choice of other utilities, and One Utility Bill will handle setup, saving you tons of time and stress. 

💧 Set up water bill

Identify your water supplier using the Find Your Supplier tool by Water UK. Create an account with the supplier on their website, or via phone or post. 

Houses built after 1990 should have a water meter, but older properties could also have one installed. The supplier will ask for an initial reading to monitor your usage. Regardless of whether you have a meter or not, you’ll get unlimited water if you opt for a bills package from One Utility Bill. 

Check out our guide to learn how to set up water bills, read water meters, and more.

👉 Register for Council Tax

Let the council know you're moving. You'll need to tell your old and new council about your move. This so they know who's responsible for paying council tax at which address. If you're moving outside of a council area, you'll need to get in touch with two councils.

Council tax is calculated based on a few factors, including the location and size of your property. Students and single occupants are entitled to exemptions or discounts. 

🛜 Install and activate broadband

Find out which suppliers cover your new property with this handy availability checker from OfCom. Browse broadband deals and contact your chosen provider to book an installation date. 

📺 Set up a TV Licence

You need a TV License if you watch any live TV, even via a streaming service, and/or content on BBC iPlayer. If you do need one, it’s worth setting it up as soon as possible to avoid fines, and you can always add it to your bills package. 

For gas, electric, and broadband, you’ll be faced with tons of options for contracts and tariffs. 

You could choose to stay with the current supplier at your new place, but you'll still need to get in touch with them to avoid expensive deemed rates.

 If you want the convenience of simple setup and easier finances, with one monthly payment and the option of Unlimited Energy, it's worth checking out a bills package.

Here are a few final things to think about during your move:

🤝 If you're renting:

Check the tenancy agreement: This will outline who pays for what in your new home, as well as any restrictions when it comes to utilities. 

If you pay directly you have the right to switch: If the tenancy agreement says you're responsible for paying bills directly to the supplier, you have the right to choose your supplier.

Be wary of landlords charging limits: If you pay bills via your landlord, they aren't allowed to earn any profit on this, and have to be able to show how they've calculated the charges. 

Record all meter readings: Take clear photos of each meter to timestamp the readings. Share these with both your landlord and the utility supplier to make sure your bills are accurate. 

Get permission for alterations: Always get written permission from your landlord before installations (like broadband) that involve drilling or altering the property structure.

Understanding prepayment meter: Find out the process for clearing any debt and whether you need to revert meter changes at the end of the tenancy.

Take control of your utilities

Setting up utilities when moving house can be a lot to deal with, but a bit of pre-planning can minimise stress and keep things running smoothly. 

Another way to keep things simple is to get a bills package to make moving and your finances a bit simpler.