We use cookies on this website to give you the best possible experience.  To find out more and to stop cookies please go to our Cookie Policy

Our energy-efficient, brand-new homes could save you up to £2,200 per year on your energy bills^, visit here to find out more.

Back

Moving house: what to do with your utilities

Aug 30, 2019
Utility Bills

Moving home is an exciting and busy time and something that all of us will do at some point. But, it can be easy to get caught up in the moving process and forget to do the little things. Such as what to do with your utilities when moving house. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you plan efficiently.

Before the move

Before your move-out date, be sure to contact your current gas and electricity supplier to inform them of your move - make sure to give at least 48 hours notice. It will also be helpful to give them a forwarding address for your final bill payment.

On the day of your move, make sure to take a meter reading. This will ensure that you aren't overcharged by your current supplier. To take a meter reading simply:

  • Make a note of all of the numbers shown, but ignore the numbers in red
  • Make a note of any zeros at the front
  • If you're reading a digital meter, ignore the number after the decimal point

If you are on a 'fixed term' contract, you may be asked to pay a fee to cancel your contract early. This will only happen if you're unable to keep your existing tariff and simply change your address. This is known as an 'exit fee'. To see if you are able to keep your existing tariff, contact your energy supplier.

After the move

Once you have moved into your new house, it's a good idea to locate the property's meters. Take a reading so that you are not overcharged on your first utilities bill. Once you have done this, contact the property's supplier and give them your meter reading. You can easily find out who that is if you are unsure. When you have received your final bill payment for your old house, pay it off as soon as possible to avoid extra charges.

Once you've contacted your supplier, they may put you on a standard tariff, which usually works out to be the most costly. So consider switching to a different tariff to avoid paying a high bill. To get the best deal, use a comparison site to search through various providers.

When moving home, it's always important to go through every step to make sure that there are no outstanding jobs. This is especially important with things like utilities bills. Follow this guide and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you can move into your new house with ease.

 

To start your new build journey, visit Barratt Homes to find a development near you.

Related Articles