Setting up "new" home - gas and electricity suppliers

db2016

hi all,
i'll be moving from "home" shortly, to a rental and i have made lists of what i need etc, and i thought, how do you go about setting up a new gas / lec account.
a friend years ago, had a rental that came with a "move-in pack" and the letting agents rental came with a supplier and house insurance already there set up in their name etc (a month trial), to which i said well you should change because they will have a vested interest / commission etc and i helped them change, and they indeed saved loads!

but ill be starting fresh, and how do i move supplier if i don't know who it was before, if that makes sense?
is it just a case of picking ANY supplier and saying "set me up an account and supply me at this address" or is there a process for this?
as i say ive helped many people change suppliers but never set up new before, any advice appreciated!

AdrianC

When you move in, you'll "inherit" the previous supplier.

No lock-in period, so you can just take your time to figure out which supplier is best value for you using one of the many comparison sites.

db2016

AdrianC said:

When you move in, you'll "inherit" the previous supplier.

No lock-in period, so you can just take your time to figure out which supplier is best value for you using one of the many comparison sites.

how would i find out who this is though? i get i might inherit supplier but how would i know who that is to contact and give the meter readings to? (i understand i would take meter readings asap and also at end of a tenancy etc).

Squeaky9

You don’t need to contact them, they’ll contact you. When the previous tenant moves out they’ll let the suppliers know and give them the last readings. Just make a note of the readings when you move in and then when the suppliers write to ‘the occupier’ you can let them know who you are and what the readings were when you moved in. 

macman

Squeaky9 said:

You don’t need to contact them, they’ll contact you. When the previous tenant moves out they’ll let the suppliers know and give them the last readings. Just make a note of the readings when you move in and then when the suppliers write to ‘the occupier’ you can let them know who you are and what the readings were when you moved in. 

Completely wrong. That only works if the outgoing tenant bothers to close off their account. Find out who they are (the LL should know, or ask the outgoing tenant, or just google 'how to find my energy suppliers')), ring them and give an opening read. Wait for them to do it and a) you'll potentially be paying for their usage and b) you'll be on expensive SVT for many weeks.
Once registered, you can immediately start a switch to your preferred supplier.

Petriix

Squeaky9 said:

You don’t need to contact them, they’ll contact you. When the previous tenant moves out they’ll let the suppliers know and give them the last readings. Just make a note of the readings when you move in and then when the suppliers write to ‘the occupier’ you can let them know who you are and what the readings were when you moved in. 

That's terrible advice. You should find out who the current supplier is on the day you move in. Use this page: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/connections-and-moving-home/who-my-gas-or-electricity-supplier
Then contact them ASAP and setup an account with a direct debit and switch to their cheapest tariff without exit fees (don't sign up for a fix). Take photos of your meters and provide these readings.
After doing this you should do a comparison (using the default suggested values for your consumption) and switch to the cheapest supplier(s) using the Citizens Advice comparison site.

youth_leader

I was bombarded by utility sellers when I signed my tenancy agreement, but did have to use the insurance company recommended by the rental agent.  I do recommend Octopus for electricity, no exit fees and they ask you to read the meter monthly, and refund you if you've overpaid.  I transferred my TallkTalk broadband but it took two weeks, I used a BT monthly service whilst I was waiting.  I am purchasing soon and hope to transfer them to my new address too.

FTBMish

For ever rental I have lived in (several) I just called Western Power distribution who told me who the supply was with.