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Energy setup

How to set up gas and electric when moving house or into a new home

Short answer

You can arrange a switch to a new supplier for move-in day, where a tariff offers that date. If you prefer to stay, find the existing supplier and contact it to set up your account. Either way, take opening readings on the day you take over, or confirm your supplier can obtain them from your smart meter.

Updated

  • No old bill

    Start with your new address and move-in date

  • Your choice

    Switch to a new supplier or stay with the existing one

  • £0

    You do not owe the previous occupier's energy debt

See who supplies your new home

Pick your new address to see which supplier its meters are with, the price-cap rate for the home, and tariffs that can start on the day you move in.

You pick your exact address on the next screen. Nothing is priced before that.

England, Scotland and Wales. Switching is your choice: you can also stay with the current supplier.

If your new home already has working gas and electricity, setting up energy means arranging your account and tariff. You are responsible for charges from the date you take over the property, which may be earlier than the day you move your belongings.

How do I arrange energy for my move?

Start by choosing who you want to supply your new home. You can arrange a new supplier, including a move-in-day start where available, or stay with the supplier already serving the property. You do not need to wait for a first bill to compare deals.

  1. 1

    Before taking responsibility: check your address and date

    Confirm the date you become responsible for energy at the new home. This may be the tenancy start or purchase completion date, even if you move your belongings later. Check whether you pay the supplier directly or energy is included in your rent.

  2. 2

    Choose a new supplier or stay with the existing one

    Compare deals for the new address and check whether your chosen supplier can start on the date you take over. You can arrange this before moving where the tariff supports your date. If you prefer to stay, find the supplier already serving the property and contact it to set up your account and ask about its tariffs.

  3. 3

    On your responsibility date: record opening readings

    Whether switching or staying, take gas and electricity readings on the date you become responsible, or confirm your supplier can obtain readings for that date from your smart meter. If you are unsure, take and submit manual readings. Dated photos of the readings and meter serial numbers are a useful backup.

  4. 4

    Confirm your account and supply start date

    If switching, check the new supplier's confirmed start date and follow its instructions for manual or smart-meter readings. If staying, confirm the existing supplier has opened your account from your responsibility date. You can also notify the existing supplier when switching, and should contact it about any period it supplies you before the changeover.

  5. 5

    After supply starts: check your tariff and first bill

    Check that your account starts on the right date, uses your opening readings and has the agreed rates and payment method. If you switch, the existing supplier can bill for the period before the new supplier takes over, including standing charges. You do not owe the previous occupier's debt.

More detail
  • To switch, compare tariffs for the new address and confirm the start date with your chosen supplier. A supplier or comparison service can often identify the supply from your address, so you may not need to look up the existing supplier yourself.
  • To stay, find the existing supplier and contact it with the date you become responsible. Ask it to open your account and explain the available tariffs and payment options.
  • In both cases, take opening meter readings or confirm your supplier can get readings for your responsibility date from your smart meter. If you cannot confirm this, take and submit manual readings; keeping dated photos is a useful backup.
Sources (2)

What do I need to open my first energy account?

Have the property address, the date you become responsible and opening meter readings ready. Confirm the supplier and tariff. Ask the supplier what further details it needs. With prepayment, contact it before using the previous occupier's key or card.

  • Check the address and responsibility date against your tenancy or completion records.
  • Record each meter's reading and serial number, with a dated photo where possible. Ask the landlord or managing agent if you cannot identify your meter.
  • Keep the account details, tariff and confirmed supply start date together. An application alone does not confirm that supply has started.
Sources (1)
Find your meters and record opening readings

Can my chosen supplier start on move-in day?

Citizens Advice says you'll need to wait until the day you become responsible for the property to switch supplier or tariff. Some tariffs take a future start date, so you can apply ahead for a switch that starts on that day, if the date is within the tariff's booking window. Check the supplier's confirmation before treating the date as agreed.

  • Arranging a future start date and applying on moving day are different. A same-day application can result in a later supply start.
  • If you have already moved in, you can arrange a switch and check the new supplier's available start date. Contact the existing supplier about the period before the changeover, giving your responsibility date and readings or confirming it can obtain smart-meter readings for that date.
  • If you pay the energy supplier directly, you can choose your supplier. If your landlord pays it and includes energy in the rent, check the arrangement with the landlord.
  • Leaving an existing supplier's standard variable tariff does not normally have an exit fee. Check the terms before agreeing to a fixed tariff.
Sources (3)

How do I set up an account with the existing supplier?

If you choose to stay, find out which supplier serves the property and contact it to set up your account. Give it the date you become responsible and your opening readings, or confirm it can obtain those readings from your smart meter. Ask which tariff applies and what other deals it offers.

  • If you do not know which supplier to contact, ask the landlord or seller or use the official lookups in our supplier guide. Gas and electricity may have different suppliers, so check both.
  • Letting the existing supplier know you have moved in helps it bill the right person from the right date. You can do this even if you intend to switch.
  • If you arrange a new supplier, keep the confirmed changeover date and share it when notifying the existing supplier. Check any bill against the dates each supplier actually supplied you, including standing charges for any interim period.
  • You do not owe the previous occupier's debt. Keep proof of your responsibility date and ask the supplier to correct charges that predate it.
Sources (1)
Find the property's existing supplier

What happens if I move in without choosing a tariff?

For an ordinary existing domestic supply, the supplier already serving the property supplies you under a deemed contract, usually on its default tariff, until an agreed tariff or new supplier takes over.

  • This keeps supply running while you decide whether to switch to a different supplier or choose a tariff with the existing one.
  • Ofgem says deemed contracts and default tariffs are usually among a supplier's most expensive. Compare the actual unit rates, standing charges and terms available for your home.
  • The price cap limits eligible standard variable rates and standing charges, rather than your total bill. Fixed tariffs, heat networks and heating oil are outside the ordinary gas and electricity cap.
Sources (2)
How the price cap applies when you move in

What should I check on my first energy bills?

  • Your account uses the correct responsibility date, meter details, tariff and payment method.
  • If you switch, the existing supplier's final bill ends when the new supply starts, and the new supplier's bill starts on its confirmed date.
  • Opening and changeover readings match your manual readings or the readings obtained from your smart meter. If the changeover happens after you move in, check the readings for both dates.
  • If readings are marked as estimated, ask the supplier whether it is receiving smart-meter readings and submit manual readings if needed.
  • The meter serial numbers and supply references match the property. Ask the supplier to correct a wrong meter, date or reading.
  • You have not been charged for the previous occupier's energy use or debt.
Sources (2)
Keep bills tracked after setup

What if I inherit debt or the switch is blocked?

Keep proof of your responsibility date, meter readings and the supplier's messages. Use those records to resolve the specific problem with the supplier.

  • For a prepayment meter, contact the existing supplier before using the previous occupier's key or card or topping up. Ask it to clear inherited debt and explain how to use the meter.
  • If a switch is declined or a bill includes earlier usage, ask the supplier to review the responsibility dates and meter records.
Use the energy account evidence checklist

What if the home has no gas, communal heating or no connected supply?

Check the physical supply arrangement before choosing a domestic gas or electricity tariff.

  • An electricity-only home still needs an electricity account if you pay the supplier directly. Do not add a gas account for a home with no gas supply. Check how heating and hot water are provided before choosing a tariff.
  • For communal heating, ask the landlord or managing agent who bills for heat and hot water. Check a separate electricity account independently.
  • If gas or electricity is not connected, contact the relevant network operator about a connection and arrange a supplier. A tariff switch cannot create a physical connection.
Sources (1)
Check communal-heating bills and rights

Can Taupia help with energy setup?

Taupia can look up the supply at your new address, compare tariffs and let you apply for an eligible move-in deal. The available start dates depend on the chosen supplier and tariff. You approve the change and pay the supplier directly.

  • Start with the address and move-in date. If meter details are missing, the app may ask you to check them.
  • Keep the supplier's confirmation. Take opening readings or check that the supplier can obtain them from your smart meter, and contact it if an account date or bill needs correcting.

Which setup applies to your home?

Your situationWhat to do
You want to switch to a new supplierCompare tariffs and confirm an available start date, arranging ahead for move-in day where possible. Take opening readings or confirm the new supplier can obtain them from your smart meter.
You want to stay with the existing supplierFind out who supplies the property and contact it to open your account from your responsibility date. Provide opening readings or confirm it can obtain them from your smart meter, and ask about its tariffs.
Your new supplier starts after you take responsibilityContact the existing supplier about the period before the changeover. Check the opening and changeover readings and pay for the supply during that period, including standing charges.
There is a prepayment meterContact the existing supplier before using the old key or card or topping up, so you do not pay the previous occupier's debt.
Your landlord pays the energy supplierCheck what your rent includes and who holds the energy contract. A comparison for a directly billed household may not apply to that arrangement.
There is no gas or electricity connectionArrange a connection through the relevant network operator and choose a supplier. An ordinary switch does not install a connection.

Energy setup questions when moving home

What happens with gas and electric when moving house?

Nothing is cut off. From the day you become responsible, the supplier serving the home supplies you on a deemed contract until an agreed tariff starts. You can switch to a new supplier for that date, or stay: find the existing supplier and contact it to open your account. In both cases take opening readings on the day, and give the supplier at the home you leave 48 hours' notice.

How do I set up gas and electric for a new home?

You can arrange to switch to a new supplier, requesting a move-in-day start where available. Alternatively, stay with the existing supplier: find out who it is and contact it to open your account. In both cases, take opening meter readings or confirm the supplier can obtain them from your smart meter, and check your account's start date.

Do I need to find the existing supplier before choosing a new one?

You can compare new deals without looking up the existing supplier yourself. A new supplier or comparison service may identify the supply from your address and ask for any missing meter details. If you choose to stay, find and contact the existing supplier to open your account. You should also contact it if it supplies you before a switch takes effect.

Can I arrange a new supplier before moving in?

Yes, where the tariff supports a future start date within its booking window. Choose a date on or after you become responsible and check the supplier's confirmation. If booking is not open yet, keep your move plan and return when the supplier can accept the date.

Can I switch supplier on move-in day?

You can apply on the day you become responsible, but an application that day does not guarantee supply starts that day. To request a move-in-day start, arrange ahead with a tariff that offers that date. Check the confirmed supply date and account for any gap with the existing supplier.

Do I have to open an account with the existing supplier before comparing?

You can compare tariffs without first opening that account or waiting for a bill. If you choose to stay with the existing supplier, contact it to set up your account. You should also contact it about any supply before a new supplier takes over, which you must pay for.

Do I need to take opening readings if I have a smart meter?

Whether you switch or stay, confirm your supplier can obtain readings for the date you become responsible. If it can, you may not need to submit them manually. A smart meter can stop sending readings, so if you are unsure, take and submit manual readings. Dated photos are a useful backup, and you should follow any reading request from your supplier.

Can I stay with the existing energy supplier?

Yes. Find out who supplies the property and contact it to set up your account from the date you become responsible. Give it opening meter readings or confirm it can obtain them from your smart meter. Ask which tariff applies and what other deals it offers; you do not have to switch supplier when you move.

Who pays if my new supplier starts after I move in?

You pay the supplier serving the property for the period from your responsibility date until the new supplier takes over, including any applicable standing charges. Provide opening readings or confirm it can obtain them from your smart meter, and check the dates on both suppliers' bills. You do not owe the previous occupier's debt.

Am I automatically on the price cap after moving in?

It depends on the tariff supplying you. An existing supplier's default standard variable tariff is normally covered by the cap. If a chosen fixed tariff starts on your move-in date, you pay its agreed rates. The cap limits eligible rates, not your total bill, and does not cover heat networks or heating oil.

Will changing supplier always lower my energy bill?

No. Compare the unit rates, standing charges and contract terms available for your home. Actual bills depend on your usage, tariff and payment method; a different supplier is not automatically cheaper.

What if the property has no gas or electricity supply?

If it is physically unconnected, arrange a connection with the relevant network operator and choose a supplier. If the property is connected but energy is not working, contact the current supplier or network to establish the cause. A normal tariff switch is not a connection or emergency repair service.

What should I do about energy at the home I am leaving?

Tell that property's supplier you are moving and give it a forwarding address. Provide final meter readings or confirm it can obtain them from your smart meter, then check the final bill. Setting up energy for the new address does not close the old property's account.

Plan the rest of your move-in bills

Use these guides to keep energy setup connected to the wider move-home workflow.

Start here

First-time renter bills setup

Recommended

The main guide to setting up bills when renting: what each bill is and what drives its price.

Official references

Choose energy for your new home

Taupia can help you compare tariffs and arrange a move-in application where the chosen deal supports your dates. You pay the supplier directly. Nothing changes without your approval.

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Cite this page

Taupia. "How to set up gas and electric when moving house or into a new home". Last updated 31 October 2026. https://taupia.com/move-home/energy-bill-setup