I forgot my final meter reading. What happens now?
Short answer
Your old supplier usually estimates the final reading, or uses the next occupier's opening reading. Send a reading as soon as you can, with a dated photo if you have one. If the estimated final bill looks too high, ask for a corrected bill, and if it is not fixed within 8 weeks, go to the Energy Ombudsman.
Updated
5 days
Extra time EDF gives you to send a final reading before it estimates
12 months
Back-billing limit for energy you were never correctly billed for
8 weeks
Before an unresolved complaint can go to the Energy Ombudsman
A missing final reading is common and fixable. The supplier fills the gap with an estimate or the next occupier's opening reading, and you can correct it with evidence.
What does my supplier do if I never gave a final reading?
It closes your account on the best reading it has, which is usually an estimate.
- British Gas says that if you do not get the chance to send a reading before you leave, it will estimate your last reading for you.
- ScottishPower says that if someone has already moved in, it may be able to use their opening reading to close your account. If not, it uses an estimate for your final bill.
- EDF says it is best to give a final reading on the day you stop being responsible for the home. If you cannot, you get another five days, and after that it sends an estimated final bill.
- None of these help pages sets a deadline for correcting an estimate later, so send a reading as soon as you can, even after the final bill has arrived.
- On a prepayment or smart Pay As You Go meter, EDF says you do not need to give a final meter reading.
Sources: British Gas: moving home (read 13 October 2026); ScottishPower: moving home (read 13 October 2026); EDF: when do I give a final meter reading when I move home? (read 13 October 2026)
How do I challenge an estimated final bill?
Treat it like any estimated bill: give the supplier a real reading and ask for a corrected bill.
- Check the bill. Citizens Advice says it should say if it is estimated.
- If an estimated bill is too high, Citizens Advice says to take a meter reading and send it to your supplier, which should send an updated, accurate bill instead.
- No longer have access to the meter? Ask the supplier to use the next occupier's opening reading, and tell it the date they moved in if you know it.
- Give the supplier all the information you have, including photos of meter readings, and keep every message you send and receive.
- Check the last bill from a supplier you switched away from too. Citizens Advice says a disputed first or last bill around a switch can be a problem with the switchover.
Sources: Citizens Advice: if you think you've been charged too much for your energy (read 13 October 2026); Citizens Advice: check if you're responsible for paying an energy bill (read 13 October 2026); ScottishPower: moving home (read 13 October 2026)
What evidence proves my final reading and leaving date?
Two facts settle most disputes: what the meter said, and the date you stopped being responsible.
- A dated photo of each meter on your last day. Citizens Advice says to keep a note of the readings and the dates you took them, in case you disagree with the final bill.
- Your tenancy agreement or mortgage contract for the dates. Citizens Advice says to send a copy if the supplier asks for proof, and to ask your landlord for one if you do not have it.
- The date you told the supplier you were leaving. You usually pay for energy until 2 days after that date, so a bill running longer needs explaining.
- A check-out inventory, a landlord's email or the next occupier's opening reading can help back up a reading you did not photograph.
Sources: Citizens Advice: moving home, dealing with your energy supply (read 13 October 2026); Citizens Advice: check if you're responsible for paying an energy bill (read 13 October 2026)
What if I had a smart or prepayment meter?
- A smart meter only sends readings while it is working in smart mode. Citizens Advice says to check before you move, and to take and send a final reading yourself if it is not.
- On a prepayment or smart Pay As You Go meter, EDF says you do not need to give a final reading.
- Prepayment customers are still owed a final bill. In May 2025 Ofgem announced that Good Energy would pay former prepayment customers after failing to send them final bills.
- Ofgem's licence rules require suppliers to take all reasonable steps to send a final bill or statement within 6 weeks of the supply ending.
Sources: Citizens Advice: moving home, dealing with your energy supply (read 13 October 2026); EDF: when do I give a final meter reading when I move home? (read 13 October 2026); Ofgem: Good Energy decision on final bills for former prepayment customers (May 2025) (read 13 October 2026)
Can my old supplier bill me years later?
Not for energy used more than 12 months before, unless you were billed correctly at the time or acted unreasonably.
- Ofgem's back-billing rules mean you do not have to pay for energy you used more than 12 months ago if you have not had an accurate bill or statement for it before, or your Direct Debit was set too low to cover it.
- The rules apply to households and microbusinesses.
- They do not protect you if you acted unreasonably, for example by blocking access to your meter, ignoring requests for payment or stealing energy.
- When Ofgem brought the rule in, it said consumers would not be at fault for failing to provide meter readings.
- You still need to pay any accurate bill, including a back bill for the last 12 months. If a supplier keeps asking for more, you can complain.
Sources: Ofgem: what to do if you get a back bill (read 13 October 2026); Ofgem: suppliers banned from back-billing beyond 12 months (March 2018) (read 13 October 2026)
When can I take a final bill dispute to the Energy Ombudsman?
- Complain to the supplier first, by phone or in writing. Citizens Advice says to note the date and time, the person you spoke to and the problem you discussed.
- The supplier should send a decision letter or a letter of deadlock within 8 weeks.
- You can go to the Energy Ombudsman once 8 weeks have passed without a resolution, or sooner with a deadlock letter.
- You must escalate within 12 months of receiving a deadlock letter.
- The Energy Ombudsman is free. If you accept its decision, your supplier must carry it out within 28 days, and you are free to reject it.
Sources: Citizens Advice: complain to your energy supplier (read 13 October 2026); Energy Ombudsman: frequently asked questions (read 13 October 2026)
How do I fix a final bill without a final reading?
- 1
Send the best reading you have
A dated photo from moving day is best. Without one, send the earliest reading you can get and say when you left.
- 2
Prove your leaving date
Send your tenancy agreement or mortgage contract, and the date you told the supplier you were moving.
- 3
Ask for a corrected final bill
Ask the supplier to replace the estimate with your reading, or with the next occupier's opening reading.
- 4
Complain if it is not corrected
Complain in writing and keep a record of every contact. The supplier should send a decision or deadlock letter within 8 weeks.
- 5
Take it to the Energy Ombudsman
After 8 weeks, or sooner with a deadlock letter, the Energy Ombudsman can investigate. It is free to use.
Sources: Citizens Advice: check if you're responsible for paying an energy bill (read 13 October 2026); Citizens Advice: if you think you've been charged too much for your energy (read 13 October 2026); Energy Ombudsman: frequently asked questions (read 13 October 2026)
What if the corrected bill puts me in credit?
- Your old supplier must refund any credit within 10 working days of sending the final bill, and might owe you compensation if it does not.
- In November 2025 Ofgem said over £240 million was left in closed energy accounts.
- Sign into the old account and update your details. If you cannot get in, contact the supplier directly.
- If the supplier has stopped trading, contact the supplier that took over its customers.
Sources: Citizens Advice: moving home, dealing with your energy supply (read 13 October 2026); Ofgem: check if you have money in a closed energy account (read 13 October 2026)
How can Taupia help with final bills?
- Taupia keeps your energy, broadband, mobile and water bills in one place, so you can see which accounts are still open at your old address.
- In a shared home it splits each final bill and tracks who has paid, without moving any money.
- At your next home it compares energy, broadband and mobile deals and switches once your household approves.
- Taupia is free.
Questions about a missing final meter reading
I forgot to give a final meter reading when I moved out. What happens?
Your old supplier usually estimates it, or uses the next occupier's opening reading if it has one. Send a reading as soon as you can. If the estimated final bill looks too high, ask for a corrected bill and send any dated photos you have.
Can I give a final meter reading after I have moved out?
Yes, though how long you get varies. EDF gives you five more days after you leave before it sends an estimated final bill. The other help pages we checked set no cut-off, so send it as soon as you can, with a dated photo if you have one.
Do I have to pay an estimated final bill?
If you think the estimate is too high, send a reading or other evidence and ask for a corrected bill. You need to pay any accurate bill, and if you will struggle to pay, Citizens Advice says the supplier has to help you find a solution.
How do I prove what the meter said when I left?
A dated photo of each meter on your last day is the strongest evidence. Your tenancy agreement or mortgage contract proves the dates, and the next occupier's opening reading or a check-out inventory can help back up a reading you did not photograph.
Can my old supplier charge me for energy the next tenant used?
It should not. Citizens Advice says you should not have to pay for energy someone else used after they moved in. Tell the supplier the date they moved in if you know it, and ask it to send a new bill to the person who lives there now.
How long do I have to complain about a final bill?
Complain to the supplier first. If it has not resolved the problem after 8 weeks, or sends a deadlock letter sooner, you can go to the Energy Ombudsman. You must escalate within 12 months of receiving a deadlock letter, and the service is free.
Close the old account properly
Guides for the rest of the move-out, and for checking a bill that looks wrong.
Start here
Moving out bills checklist
RecommendedEvery bill to close when you leave, in the order to do it.
Check for money in a closed energy account
How to reclaim credit left behind on an old supplier account.
Bill for the previous tenant's energy?
The other side of the same problem, for the person moving in.
First bill looks wrong?
A quick check of the usual reasons a bill is higher than expected.
Energy Direct Debit too high?
When to ask for credit back and how suppliers set the payment.
Keep the next final bill simple
Taupia keeps your energy, broadband, mobile and water bills in one place and, in a shared home, splits each bill and tracks who has paid without moving any money. It is free, and nothing changes without your approval.