The Utilities Checklist Most People Forget About When They Move

Moving involves a long list of practical jobs, from arranging removals to redirecting mail and updating insurance. Utilities can easily end up near the bottom of that list, yet getting them wrong can lead to estimated bills, unnecessary charges or paying more than you need to at your new property. A little preparation can make the process considerably easier. Here are some of the main utility-related jobs to deal with before and immediately after moving.

Tell Your Existing Energy Supplier You're Moving

Start by informing your current gas and electricity supplier that you're leaving the property. On your final day, take meter readings and keep a photograph of each meter if possible. This creates a clear record of your final usage and can be useful if there is later a disagreement about the closing bill. Don't assume that cancelling your Direct Debit is sufficient. Your supplier still needs to calculate your final account balance, which could leave you either owing money or due a refund.

Take Meter Readings as Soon as You Arrive

One of the first jobs at your new home should be finding the electricity and, where applicable, gas meters. Record the readings before you begin using significant amounts of energy. Again, taking photographs provides an additional record of the numbers and the date on which you took possession.

You will normally inherit the property's existing energy supplier initially. That doesn't mean you have to remain with that company permanently. Once you have established who supplies the property and set up an account, you can review the available tariff or compare alternatives elsewhere.

Don't Automatically Stay With the Existing Energy Supplier

Moving creates a useful opportunity to reassess what you're paying for energy. Rather than simply accepting whatever tariff is attached to the property, compare the market based on your likely consumption. If you have previous bills, your historic annual gas and electricity usage can provide a useful starting point. Look beyond the estimated monthly payments and compare:

• Electricity and gas unit rates
• Daily standing charges
• Fixed versus variable pricing
• Exit fees
• Customer service
• Smart meter support
• Any specialist tariffs that suit how you use energy

The cheapest tariff for one household will not necessarily be the cheapest for another. A household with an electric vehicle, for example, may have very different requirements from someone living alone in a small flat.

Check Whether Referral Incentives Are Available

Once you've narrowed down the suppliers and tariffs that make sense financially, it is worth checking whether there are any legitimate switching or referral incentives available. These shouldn't determine which supplier you choose.

A relatively small one-off reward is unlikely to compensate for an unsuitable tariff or poor service over the longer term. However, if you have already decided to join a particular supplier, there is little reason to overlook an incentive for which you qualify.

One example is the Octopus Energy referral scheme. Octopus operates referral and affiliate programmes through which qualifying new domestic customers can receive energy credit when joining.

For example, Octopus Energy affiliate Alex Croucher provides the referral link alexcroucher.octopus.energy, which new customers can use when signing up to currently receive £50 energy credit on their account. Treat the incentive as an additional benefit after comparing the tariff itself, rather than working backwards from the reward.

Sort Out Broadband Before Moving Day

Check whether your existing provider serves the new address and whether you can transfer your current contract. If you need a new provider, installation times can vary considerably, particularly if a new connection or engineer visit is required.

It is also worth checking what broadband technologies are actually available at the new property rather than assuming that the service you had previously will be available. For anyone working from home, arranging broadband early can prevent an inconvenient period relying on mobile data.

Update Your Water Account

Unlike energy, households generally cannot choose their water supplier because this is determined by location. You should tell the relevant water company when you move in and provide an opening meter reading if the property has a water meter. If you've moved from an unmetered property to a metered one, the way you are charged will also change, making it useful to understand your expected consumption.

Deal With Council Tax Promptly

Contact the relevant local authority to close the council tax account at your old property and establish one at the new address. Your council tax band may be different, even if the new home appears similar in size or value to your previous property. It is also worth checking whether you qualify for any reductions. Someone living alone, for example, may normally qualify for a single-person discount.

Get Familiar With the Heating System

The first few weeks in a new property can be unnecessarily expensive if you don't understand how the heating and hot water systems have been configured. Find out:

• What type of boiler or heating system is installed
• How the thermostat works
• Whether there are separate heating zones
• How heating schedules are programmed
• Whether the property has a smart thermostat
• How hot water is controlled

Previous occupants may have left schedules that are completely unsuitable for your routine. If the home has solar panels, battery storage, a heat pump or an EV charger, also find out what equipment is installed and whether there are associated apps, accounts or warranties that need transferring.

Look at the Property's Energy Efficiency

Check loft insulation, draughts around doors and windows, radiator controls and the property's Energy Performance Certificate. You don't need to renovate the entire house immediately, but identifying the biggest sources of energy waste can help prioritise future improvements. Something as simple as correcting heating schedules or draught-proofing an obvious gap may make an immediate difference.

Create a Simple Moving-Day Record

Keep a record containing:

• Final meter readings from the old property
• Opening readings from the new property
• Supplier names and account numbers
• Photographs of meters
• Final and opening bills
• Broadband account details
• Water meter readings

Moving home is complicated enough without having to reconstruct this information several months later. Most utility changes are relatively straightforward when dealt with systematically. Taking accurate readings, reviewing rather than automatically accepting existing tariffs and setting up essential services early can remove several avoidable costs and problems from the moving process.