Moving House Utilities Checklist: Gas, Electric, Water & Broadband
Sorting out your utilities is one of the most important jobs when moving house. Gas, electricity, water and broadband all need attention at slightly different stages of the move.
This UK moving house utilities checklist takes you through what to do before leaving your old property, what to record on moving day and what to arrange when you arrive at your new home.
Keep all your utility information together. Save account numbers, provider details, moving dates and photographs of meter readings in one place until every final and opening bill has been checked.
Moving House Utilities at a Glance
Utilities to Sort Before Moving House
Start by making a list of the services connected to your current property and the companies that provide them. This gives you time to check contracts and arrange anything needed at the new address.
☐ Gas supplier
☐ Electricity supplier
☐ Water and sewerage provider
☐ Broadband provider
☐ Landline service, if applicable
☐ TV or bundled communication services
☐ Current account numbers
☐ Current contract details and end dates
While organising your household accounts, it’s also worth preparing your wider change-of-address list. Our Who to Notify When Moving House checklist covers banks, insurers, government departments and the other organisations you may need to contact.
Gas & Electricity When Moving House
Tell your existing energy supplier that you’re moving and give them the information they request so they can close or update the account correctly.
At Your Old Home
☐ Tell your supplier you’re moving
☐ Confirm your moving date
☐ Provide a forwarding address if requested
☐ Take final gas and electricity readings
☐ Photograph the meters and readings
☐ Check the final bill when it arrives
At Your New Home
☐ Find the gas and electricity meters
☐ Take opening meter readings
☐ Photograph the readings
☐ Find out which companies currently supply the property
☐ Contact the existing suppliers with your details
☐ Review your tariff and switching options
Take Meter Readings on Moving Day
Take final readings at the property you’re leaving and opening readings at your new home. Keeping dated photographs gives you a useful record if there is ever a query about your bills.
| Utility | Old Home Final Reading | New Home Opening Reading | Photo Taken? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ☐ | ||
| Gas | ☐ | ||
| Water (if metered) | ☐ |
What If You Have a Smart Meter?
Even if you have smart meters, it’s sensible to make your own record of the readings when you move. Take a photograph showing the reading and keep it with your moving paperwork until your accounts have been settled.
Water When Moving House
Water works differently from gas and electricity. Household water and sewerage providers are generally determined by the area your property is in, rather than being freely chosen in the same way as an energy supplier.
☐ Tell the relevant water company you’re moving
☐ Give them your moving date
☐ Take a final water meter reading if your property is metered
☐ Photograph the reading
☐ Find the water provider for your new address
☐ Take an opening reading at the new property if it has a meter
☐ Set up the new account as required
Broadband When Moving House
Don’t leave broadband until moving week. Check what services and speeds are available at your new address and find out what your existing provider can offer before deciding whether to move your current service or change provider. Read our complete guide to moving house broadband for when to arrange it, what to check and how to compare your options.
Installation or activation may need arranging in advance, particularly if your new property needs equipment or an engineer visit.
☐ Check broadband availability at the new address
☐ Check your existing contract
☐ Ask your current provider about moving the service
☐ Compare alternatives if you want to change provider
☐ Check for any applicable contract charges
☐ Arrange the new service or transfer date
☐ Check whether new equipment is required
☐ Keep your router and provider equipment safe during the move
Moving Day Utility Checklist
Meter readings are just one of the important tasks to complete on the day. Keep our Moving Day Essentials Checklist handy so you can also keep track of the practical items and paperwork you’ll need during the move.
Utilities at Your New Home
Once you’ve got the keys, identify the meters, stopcock, fuse box or consumer unit and broadband connection points. Knowing where these are before you need them can save a lot of stress later.
Once these essentials are sorted, work through our New House Checklist for the other jobs to complete during your first 30 minutes, first night, first week and first month in your new property.
Moving House Utility Tracker
| Service | Provider | Contacted? | Completed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Gas | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Water | ☐ | ☐ | |
| Broadband | ☐ | ☐ |
Utility Mistakes to Avoid When Moving
Take readings and photographs at both properties so you have your own dated record.
Start checking availability and arrangements before moving day rather than waiting until you’ve moved in.
Energy, water and broadband have different processes, so deal with each service separately.
Keep final bills and meter photographs until you’re satisfied the old accounts are settled.
Need the Complete Moving Plan?
Utilities are only one part of moving home. Follow our complete UK moving house checklist to keep the whole move organised from the early planning stages through to moving day.
View the Complete Moving House Checklist →Who Else Needs Your New Address?
Utility companies are only part of the list. Banks, insurers, government departments and other organisations may also need updating.
See who to notify when moving house →Still Packing?
Work through your home room by room with our dedicated packing guide.
View the Moving House Packing Checklist →Moving House Utilities Checklist FAQs
When should I tell utility companies I’m moving?
Start checking what each provider requires before your moving date. Your existing providers can tell you when they need notification and what information they need to close or transfer your account.
Do I need meter readings when moving house?
You should record final gas and electricity readings when leaving your old property and opening readings when you arrive at the new one. If the properties have water meters, record those too.
Can I change energy supplier when I move house?
Once you’ve moved in, you can choose a different energy tariff or supplier. First identify and contact the supplier already serving the property and provide your opening details and meter reading.
Can I choose my water supplier when I move?
Household water services generally aren’t chosen in the same way as gas or electricity. The company serving your home usually depends on where the property is located.
What should I do about broadband when moving house?
Check which services are available at the new address, review your existing contract and speak to your provider about moving your service. If you’re considering switching, compare your options and arrange the change early enough to minimise time without broadband.
Free Moving House Checklist
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Keep your move organised with our free printable checklist, covering utilities, address changes, packing, moving day and settling into your new home.
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