Moving House at Christmas: Bills and Broadband Checklist

Plan appointments around the 2026–27 holidays

Start with the date you become responsible for the property, then confirm broadband activation, access for any engineer and how to contact each provider over the holidays. Ask which dates it can actually offer and how to change an appointment if completion or key collection slips.

GOV.UK's bank holiday calendar lists these dates:

These dates help you plan; confirm the provider's actual opening hours and appointment arrangements. Save reference numbers and contact details somewhere you can reach without home Wi-Fi.

Before the move: separate transfers from new accounts

Check broadband availability at the full new address and ask your current provider whether it can transfer the service. If you change provider, Ofcom's moving-home guidance says to arrange cancellation and the new start date. Check any exit fee before agreeing. Our broadband setup guide covers the steps.

For gas and electricity, tell the supplier at the old home you are leaving. Citizens Advice's England, Scotland and Wales guidance recommends at least 48 hours' notice. Contacting the supplier earlier gives you time to resolve questions before the holiday period. Ask whether a fixed tariff can move with you and whether ending it incurs a charge.

For the new home, you can arrange a switch to a new energy supplier for an available start date on or after you become responsible. Ask about a move-in-day start, but rely on the date the supplier confirms. Taupia can help you compare available deals and apply for an eligible move-in tariff. If you prefer to stay, find the supplier already serving the property and contact it to open your account.

Keep a separate row for every account in the move-in bills checklist: who to contact, responsibility date, reference number and next action.

On moving day: preserve the readings and dates

Whether you switch or stay, take closing readings at the old home and opening readings at the new one, or confirm each supplier can obtain smart-meter readings for the relevant dates. Keep dated meter photos as a useful backup. Give the old supplier a forwarding address and leave the smart meter’s in-home display with that property.

Check the new supplier’s confirmed start date. If it starts after you become responsible, the existing supplier can bill you for the intervening period, including standing charges. Contact it about that account and check the dates and readings. If you have not arranged a tariff when you start using energy, the existing supplier normally supplies you under a deemed contract. The energy setup guide explains both routes and what to check on the first bill.

Check whether your home needs a different energy process

• Prepayment meter: contact the current supplier straight away about a new account and any previous occupier's debt before using an existing key or card. See the prepayment move-in guide.
• No connected supply: arrange a connection through the relevant network and supplier; an ordinary tariff switch does not create a physical connection.
• Communal heating: identify the heat supplier and charging arrangements separately from any electricity account. Use the communal heating checklist.

The energy steps above refer to Great Britain. For Northern Ireland, use the Citizens Advice directory of Northern Ireland advice services, alongside your supplier's moving instructions.

Keep internet available while you wait

Check mobile reception at the new address, hotspot permissions and the data allowance you would need for work or calls. Download essential documents before moving. Confirm the broadband start date and delivery address again if your move changes. Keep the original order confirmation if installation is delayed; the delay and compensation guide explains the next steps.

Close the gaps between the two homes

Record the dates for which you remain responsible at each address. Tell the relevant water provider and council about your move, using our bills between tenancies guide and council tax moving checklist. Keep their confirmations with the meter records so you can check the first and final bills.

For a move near 1 January, use confirmed rates for the period you will be billed for. On 20 October 2026, January's price cap is still a forecast; see the January outlook and check for the official announcement before budgeting from a forecast figure.

Holiday dates and the linked guidance were checked on 20 October 2026. Confirm appointments and account changes directly with each provider and the council.