Key Takeaways

• When moving home, notify your current utility providers in advance to close or transfer your accounts and avoid billing issues.
• Take meter readings and photographs at both your old and new property to ensure you're only charged for the energy you use.
• Gas and electricity suppliers can be switched, while your water provider is determined by your property's location.
• Contact the utility providers for your new home as soon as possible to put accounts in your name and prevent billing complications.
• Comparing gas and electricity tariffs after moving can help you find the best value deal for your household.
• Energy-efficient new build homes can help reduce utility bills through lower energy and water consumption.

On moving day, utilities might not be the first thing on your mind. Collecting your keys and moving your belongings naturally take priority. However, it’s important not to overlook setting up utilities in your new house.

In the UK, gas, electricity and water supplies remain active in all on-grid homes, even when they’re empty, as long as the bills are being paid. While this makes day-to-day living seamless, it can create complications when moving. Without updating the supplier, you could find yourself liable for previous usage or receive bills addressed to the wrong occupier.

To make the whole process simpler, we’ve created a moving house utility checklist to help you transfer services into your name.

The different types of home utilities

Your utilities are split into two core systems: energy and water. Energy suppliers provide gas and electricity, while water companies take care of both drinking water and sewage systems.

Energy: These companies are chosen by you. They provide gas for boilers and ovens and mains electricity for lights and appliances.

Water: Your water company is determined by your location and can’t be changed.

How to set up utilities in your new home

Step 1: Inform your current providers

Let your current providers know that you’re moving house. This can be done with a phone call at least two weeks in advance to avoid any issues closing your contract.

Your current provider will send you a final bill, which may be delivered to your old address if you haven’t provided your new one.

Alternatively, you can choose to move your contract with your current provider to your new house. Tell them you’d like to remain with them, and they’ll explain what you’ll need to do in order to carry them over.

Step 2: Take photos of the meters on moving day

One of the last things you should do when you leave your previous home is take a photo of your final meter reading. This provides evidence of your cut-off point and prevents your supplier from charging you for utilities you didn’t use.

When you step into your new home, you should do exactly the same thing: locate your meters and take photos of the very first readings. If you’re moving into a new build home, the utilities shouldn’t have been used yet, but you may still be back charged if you don’t provide an up-to-date reading.

Step 3: Contact your new provider

If you didn’t choose to stay with the same utility provider (or if you’ve moved to a different area for water), you’ll need to set up utilities in your new home. Most suppliers have call centres or FAQs to walk you through the process.

Electricity and gas: You can find out who your energy provider is by contacting your network operator, who can be found via the Energy Networks Association.

Water: Water UK has an online checker you can use to find out who your water supplier is. You can also reference a map provided by the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Step 4: Compare better deals for gas and electricity

Your water company is fixed, but you have wiggle room when it comes to gas and electricity. Companies such as GoCompare, Compare the Market, MoneySupermarket, or Confused.com can be used to find the best deal for your new home.

Once you find the best provider, you can switch to a new utility company in your own time.

Save on utilities with a new build home

If you’re looking to keep household running costs as low as possible, reducing energy and water usage makes a real difference. Our energy-efficient new homes are thoughtfully designed to help you make your utilities go further, so you can enjoy a more cost-effective way of living from day one.