How to set up your utilities when you move (UK)

Published on 2026-08-19 · Moving Guide
How to set up your utilities when you move (UK)

Moving house isn't just about packing boxes and unpacking them again at the other end, even though that's what we usually associate the whole process with. There is also quite a lot of admin to deal with, including sorting out your electricity and gas, broadband, water and other household services.

Moving home is a complicated process, and with so much happening at once, it's easy to forget something. Some things need to be arranged well before moving day, others should be done on the day itself, and a few can only be sorted once you've moved into your new home.

That's why being organised can save you from some very common and very frustrating problems, such as paying bills for your old property, being without broadband for weeks or ending up on a tariff that doesn't suit you.

In this guide, we'll explain how to set up utilities when moving house in the UK, what you need to do and when to do it, so you can avoid as many unnecessary problems as possible.

1. What utilities do you need to sort out when moving house?

Before you start contacting providers, it’s worth making a simple list of everything connected to your old and new house. The main things you will need to think about are:

2. Contact your current energy supplier before you move

Don't wait until you've already moved out to think about your gas and electricity account.

Before moving day, contact your current energy supplier and let them know you're leaving the property. Citizens Advice recommends giving your gas and electricity suppliers at least 48 hours' notice before you move (Citizens Advice, 2026).

When you contact your supplier:

It's a small job, but sorting it out before moving day can save you from dealing with unnecessary bills and phone calls once you're already trying to settle into your new home.


3. Take meter readings on moving day

This is a really important step and one that's very easy to forget when you're surrounded by boxes and trying to get everything out of the house.

On the day you move out:

4. Find out who supplies your new home

A common misconception when moving house is that you'll simply choose your gas and electricity supplier before you arrive.

In reality, your new home will usually already have an existing energy supplier. When you become responsible for the property, you'll initially receive your energy from that supplier under what's known as a deemed contract. You can then decide whether you want to stay with them, choose a different tariff or switch to another supplier (Ofgem, 2026).

So, how do you find out who currently supplies your new home?

If you don't know who supplies electricity to the property, you can find your local electricity network operator using your new postcode. Your network operator can then tell you which company currently supplies electricity to the property. Ofgem provides guidance and links to the relevant lookup services.

For gas, you can use the Find My Supplier service recommended by Ofgem. It can tell you which company currently supplies gas to the property and can also provide the property's Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) (Ofgem, 2026).

Water works slightly differently.

Unlike gas and electricity, you generally don't choose your household water supplier in England and Wales. Your supplier depends on where you live. If you're moving to an area covered by a different water company, you'll need to contact the company responsible for your new address and set up your account.

If you're renting, it's still worth asking your landlord or letting agent first, and checking your tenancy agreement to see who is responsible for the energy bills. But don't worry if they don't know who the suppliers are you can find the information yourself using the official services above. Ofgem confirms that tenants who are responsible for paying their own energy bills can generally choose their own supplier and tariff.

Once you've identified the existing suppliers, contact them, tell them the date you became responsible for the property and provide your opening meter readings.

Then you can start looking at whether staying with them actually makes sense or whether it's time to compare your options.

 

5. Should You Stay With the Existing Energy Supplier or Switch?

Once you've moved in and found out who currently supplies your gas and electricity, you don't have to stay with them forever.

If you're responsible for paying the energy bills, you can choose your own supplier and tariff. So before simply accepting whatever tariff is already connected to the property, take a little time to check your options. Ofgem confirms that after moving into a new home, you can choose another tariff with the existing supplier or switch to a completely different supplier (Ofgem, 2026).

When comparing energy deals, don't look only at the estimated monthly payment. Check:

The cheapest-looking monthly payment doesn't necessarily mean you've found the best tariff for your household.

Moving house is actually a good opportunity to check what you're paying rather than automatically staying with the first option you're given.

You can also use Movly's utility comparison to explore available options while organising the rest of your move in one place.

 

6. Set Up Your Broadband as Early as Possible

Broadband is definitely one of those things you don't want to remember about while sitting in your new home surrounded by boxes and wondering why you have no Wi-Fi.

Unlike turning on the lights, getting broadband set up isn't always instant. Depending on the property and provider, you may need an installation or engineer appointment, so it's worth looking into your options before moving day.

Start by checking:

If you work from home, rely heavily on the internet or have children who would consider a week without Wi-Fi an actual emergency, this is one job you probably don't want to leave until the last minute.

Movly App also lets you compare broadband options for your new address, so you can check what's available as part of your moving plan rather than adding another job to a completely separate list.

7. Don't Forget About Water

Water is slightly different from gas and electricity.

You generally can't simply shop around and choose a domestic water company in the same way you can choose an energy or broadband provider. Your water company is normally determined by the area you live in.

Before you move, let your current water company know you're leaving and give them your new address. If you have a water meter, Citizens Advice recommends giving the company at least five working days' notice so a final reading can be arranged (Citizens Advice, 2026). Otherwise, you could potentially be charged for water used after you've moved out.

When you arrive at your new property:

If you're staying within the same water company's area, you still need to tell them you've changed address. It's a five-minute job that's very easy to forget when there are fifty other things happening.

8. Update Your Council Tax

Council Tax should also be high on your moving checklist. You need to tell your current council that you're leaving your old property and provide the date you're moving out. If your new home is in a different council area, you'll also need to register with your new local authority.

Remember to check:

Don't assume that your old council will automatically know you've moved simply because you've registered somewhere else.

If you're the only adult counted for Council Tax purposes in your new home, you may be eligible for a 25% discount. Check with your local council, as eligibility depends on your household circumstances (GOV.UK, 2026).


9. Don't Forget Your TV Licence

Another small thing that's surprisingly easy to forget: your TV Licence. Your licence is connected to your address, so if you're moving home you'll need to update your details (TV Licensing, 2026). Don't assume that because you already pay for a TV Licence, everything will automatically follow you to the new property. Add it to your address-change list and get it sorted alongside your other household accounts. It's much easier to spend a few minutes updating it during the move than realise weeks later that it's still registered at your old address. If you no longer need a TV Licence at your new home, check the TV Licensing rules before updating or cancelling it (TV Licensing, 2026).

10. Moving Into a Rented Property? Check These Things First

If you're renting your new home, there are a few extra things worth checking before you start changing suppliers or setting up accounts. First, read your tenancy agreement.

Check:

If you pay the energy bills directly, Ofgem says you can generally choose your own energy supplier and tariff (Ofgem, 2026). However, it's still worth checking your tenancy agreement because it may contain conditions about notifying your landlord or returning the supply to a particular provider when you leave. And one more thing: take photos of the meters when you move in. Even if the readings are included in your check-in report, having your own photos takes seconds and gives you a record of exactly what the meters showed when you became responsible for the property.

11. Create a Moving Utilities Checklist

It's very easy to tell yourself: "I'll remember that."
Then moving week arrives, you're surrounded by boxes, someone is asking where the kettle is, you've made fifteen phone calls and suddenly you can't remember whether you actually contacted the water company or just thought about doing it. Don't rely on your memory. Create a simple utilities checklist and tick things off as you complete them.
This is exactly why Movly's 8-week moving timeline brings these types of tasks together in one place. You can see what needs doing, tick off completed tasks, add your own and use reminders instead of trying to keep your entire move in your head. Because moving house already gives you enough to think about. Your utility accounts don't need to be one more thing you're trying to remember.

Final Thoughts

Utilities probably aren't the most exciting part of moving into a new home. Nobody gets the keys and thinks, I can't wait to sort out my Council Tax and electricity tariff. But getting these things organised early can save you a lot of unnecessary stress later. Start before moving day where you can, keep records of your meter readings, check what's already connected at your new property and don't automatically accept the first tariff you're given. A little organisation now can help you avoid double bills, missed payments, the wrong tariff or spending your first few weeks in your new home waiting for Wi-Fi. Because on your first evening in your new home, you want to be sitting among the boxes with a cup of tea and working Wi-Fi- not trying to work out who actually supplies your electricity.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I set up utilities when moving house in the UK?

It's best to start organising your utilities before moving day rather than waiting until you're already in your new home. Contact your current energy supplier before you move, arrange broadband early if possible and make a list of all the accounts that need updating. Some tasks, such as taking final and opening meter readings, should be done on moving day itself.

What happens to gas and electricity when I move house?

Your new home will usually already have an existing gas and electricity supplier. When you become responsible for the property, you'll initially receive energy from that supplier. You can then decide whether to stay on their tariff, choose another tariff or switch to a different supplier (Ofgem, 2026).

How do I find out who supplies gas and electricity to my new home?

If you don't know your new electricity supplier, you can find your local electricity network operator using your postcode and use the available lookup services. For gas, you can use the Find My Supplier service. Ofgem provides guidance for finding both your energy supplier and network operator (Ofgem, 2026).

Can I arrange broadband before I move into my new home?

Yes, and it's often worth looking into broadband before moving day. Check which providers and speeds are available at your new postcode, whether you can transfer your existing contract and whether an engineer appointment or installation will be required. Setting it up early can reduce the risk of spending your first weeks in your new home without broadband.

Do I need to take meter readings when moving house?

Yes. Take gas and electricity meter readings when you leave your old property and again when you become responsible for your new home. Keep a record of the readings and, if possible, take photos so you have evidence if there is ever a disagreement about your bill (Citizens Advice, 2026).

Who do I need to notify when moving house in the UK?

Alongside your gas, electricity, water and broadband providers, remember to update other important organisations and services. These may include your local council for Council Tax, TV Licensing, your bank, insurance providers, DVLA, HMRC, your GP and your child's school or nursery. Creating a moving checklist can make it much easier to keep track of who you've already contacted.

References:

  1. Citizens Advice. Moving home – dealing with your energy supply

  2. Citizens Advice. Moving home and water bills

  3. Ofgem. Get energy if you are moving home or business premises

  4. Ofgem. Find your energy supplier

  5. Ofcom. Switching broadband provider

  6. GOV.UK. Paying the right level of Council Tax: a plain English guide to Council Tax

  7. TV Licensing. Moving home – updating your TV Licence

  8. TV Licensing. Check if you need a TV Licence