How to set up utilities in a new home
Setting up utilities in a new home means opening accounts in your name for gas, electricity, water and broadband, and making sure you are not paying for the previous occupier’s usage. Here is how to do it, step by step.
1. Take meter readings on moving day
Read the gas and electricity meters, and the water meter if there is one, on the day you move in. This is the line between the old occupier’s bills and yours. Photograph the readings so you have a record.
2. Find out who supplies the property
You inherit whoever supplied energy to the property before you. To find your electricity supplier, contact your regional distribution network operator. For gas, call the Meter Number Helpline. Your water company is fixed by area, so you cannot switch it. Contact each one, tell them you have moved in, and give them your opening readings.
3. Open accounts in your name
Set up an account with each supplier using your moving date and opening readings. You can shop around and switch energy supplier once your account is open if you want a better deal.
4. Arrange broadband early
Broadband is the one to book ahead of time. A new line or activation can take one to two weeks, so arranging it a couple of weeks before you move means you are not left without a connection.
5. Do not forget council tax
Council tax is not a utility, but it needs sorting at the same time. Tell your new council you have moved in so you are billed correctly.
The shortcut
Just Move In does all of this for you in one appointment. We set up your energy, water and broadband, notify the council for council tax, take your opening readings across to the suppliers, and confirm everything in writing. Most movers sort it in a single phone call. The service is free because our supplier partners pay us, and you are never obligated to take a supplier we suggest.
Just Move In is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, a certified B Corporation, and rated 4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
To set up utilities in a new home, take meter readings on the day you move in, find out who currently supplies the gas, electricity and water at the property, and open an account in your name with each supplier. You will also need to arrange broadband, which can take a couple of weeks to activate, so it is worth booking early. Just Move In does this for you. In one appointment we set up your energy, water, broadband and council tax, take care of the notifications, and confirm everything in writing. The service is free for movers because our supplier partners pay us, and you are never obligated to take a supplier we suggest.
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