If you’re planning to move, or you have already moved to a new place, there are a few important steps you would need to take to make your life easier. It is important to make sure you contact your energy supplier beforehand so that he knows you’re planning to move to another area.
This is a step you would need to take so you can deal with the energy supplier and then set up an energy source for your new house. There are a few more steps you would need to take to make sure you don’t pay extra or the wrong cost for your electricity and the gas you don’t even consume.
The thing to do before the big move
Before you make a move, make sure you complete a few important steps that would definitely make your life much easier.
First of all, make sure you are aware of whom your current energy supplier is, and before you move, give the supplier a notice of 48 hours. This is an important step. After this, make sure you take a reading of your meters on the day you move out.
After you take the readings, make sure you give them to the supplier so he can keep a record and note of those readings. You should make a copy of the bill as well. After this, make sure you give the supplier a forwarding address as well so that he can send the final bill to you, which you would have 28 days to pay.
It is important to understand the contents of the final bill as well. If the bill says that you are owed money, then that would be referred to as credit, and it is important for you to claim that money back. Moreover, if you plan to leave the contract, and then make sure you consider a few things.
If you are on a fixed-term tariff, then you would obviously need to break the contract early, which would mean an exit fee would be required from your side. This exit fee would be mentioned on your energy bill. It would probably be a bit cheaper to try and keep your existing supplier instead of paying the exit fee, and it would be better to move your tariff to the new property as well.
However, this completely depends on if your energy supplier provides services in the area you are moving to or not.
Things to do after you move
Now that we’ve got the formalities out of the way, there are a few steps that you need to follow to get a new or your existing energy supplier in the area you moved to. First, it is important you contact the energy supplier and inform them about your move.
As it has been mentioned above, the energy supplier should be informed at least 48 hours prior to the move. When this is done, you would be put under the category of ‘deemed contract.’ Then you are supposed to give the current supplier the readings so that an accurate bill is provided. Now comes the part where you look for energy sources for your new house.
You might prefer keeping your old energy providers, as they might be better suited, and you might feel more comfortable with them as well. However, in the area you move to, there might be a lot more reasonable suppliers with better packages. Make sure you check out and compare the suppliers as well as your energy bills using the Utility Bidder.
Switching to a new supplier after you move
If you have decided to switch to a new supplier after careful comparing, research, and consideration, then factor in one more thing.
You wouldn’t really be saving money by switching suppliers
Many people go to switch suppliers because they think they might save costs. However, that won’t be possible because most of the energy companies at this time and year are struggling. However, if you find the slightest chance to save money, go for it. Make sure you look it up on a website where you can compare the prices and offers of the energy suppliers available in the area and wait till you find cheap deals available.
Many people are struggling due to the increased energy bills due to many crises going on. However, make sure you make a decision based on reviews, facts, and figures.
When can you switch suppliers?
You would be able to switch the supplier or tariff from the day you become completely responsible for the property you are about to move into, so switching won’t take place right away. You would have to pay at least one more bill with your current supplier.
Once you are aware of the new supplier you will be switching to, make sure you do all your research. They might have priority services for those who need them, so make sure you check out their requirements for that as well. This will help you get some extra support from them, like free gas safety checks, etc.
What should I do if the new property has a prepayment meter?
If your new property has a prepayment meter, make sure you contact the current supplier at that moment. Don’t use a car or a key, and don’t put any money on the meter. Or else, you might end up paying extra for debts that were owned by people living on the property before you.
Make sure you ask the supplier to take any debt off the meter so you don’t have the risk of paying an extra amount on the previous tenant’s behalf. Moreover, ask the supplier to give you a brand new prepayment key or a card so you can put the money on the meter, and also ask to send the information about how the meter operates.
It is important to know the steps to take in case the prepayment meter stops working or has issues. Once you start using it, make sure you tell the supplier and contact the supplier in case of any difficulties.
Conclusion
Conclusively, when you are planning to a new house, make sure your first priority is informing the current energy supplier about it beforehand. It is important to do so and make sure you tell the supplier where you are moving to, so you can find out if the current supplier provides in that area or not.
In this way, you can do your research and compare the prices and offers of the current supplier with the other ones available in that area. This will help you find a better or cheaper option that might be more suitable for you.