Setting Up Gas and Electricity in a New Home
When you complete as a first-time buyer, and now your job is to make your new place livable. But, have you remembered to sort out your utilities?
You'll definitely want your electricity and gas switched on when you move in, and you'll want that all-important cuppa to celebrate, but managing home utilities as a first-time buyer can feel like a daunting task.
Let's break down exactly how to find your suppliers, take accurate meter readings on completion day, and avoid expensive deemed contracts to keep your new home running smoothly and affordably.
What utilities do I need to set up for my first home?
When you transfer from renting or living with family to becoming a homeowner, the number of accounts you need to manage can be surprising. For a first-time buyer, utilities are generally split into three categories:
Essential Services: Gas, electricity, and water
These are your 'life-support' utilities. You cannot choose your water supplier, as it is determined by your property's location. However, you have control over your energy providers.
- Gas and Electricity: On completion day, you will automatically be placed on a deemed contract with the existing supplier.
- Water and Sewerage: You must notify the regional water board that you have taken ownership. They will handle both your fresh water supply and waste removal (sewerage).
Communication: broadband and phone lines
While not a utility in a traditional sense, high-speed internet is essential for most modern households.
- Broadband: If you are moving to a new build, check if the infrastructure is already live.
- Landline:Even if you don't use a handset, a line rental is often bundled with your fiber package.
Legal obligations: Council Tax and TV license
Failing to set these up can lead to legal penalties, making them just as vital as your power supply.
- Council Tax: You are liable for Council Tax from the day of completion, even if you don't move your furniture in immediately. You must register with the local authority to set up your account and check if you are eligible for any discounts (such as the 25% single-person supplement).
- TV Licensing: If you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, you will need to transfer your existing license or purchase a new one for the property.
By splitting your tasks into actions you can do before and on completion day, you can ensure that all the detective work of finding suppliers is finished before you move, leaving you free to focus on the essential physical checks and meter readings the moment you get your keys.
Utility type | Action 48 hours before | Action on completion day |
Energy | Research current suppliers via the seller | Take a photo of gas/electric meters |
Water | Identify the regional water board | Locate the stopcock and check for leaks |
Broadband | Book installation/transfer date | Plug in router and check signal |
Council Tax | Notify the council of your move date | Confirm account setup |
Waste | Check bin collection days | Put bins out (if applicable) |
Finding your suppliers: who provides my utilities?
As a new homeowner, you are responsible for identifying the current providers for your property. These are normally listed in the seller's property information form TA6, which is part of your contract pack. If, for any reason, they are not, you should ask your vendor about this or ask your solicitor to find out via the other side's solicitor.
How to identify your gas and electric provider
Your energy will be turned on when you move in, but you won't necessarily know which company is supplying it. Do not wait for the bill to arrive, as you may be charged for higher emergency rates. Mail addressed to 'The Occupier' can contain your new account numbers and the name of the current provider. Opening these immediately prevents missed payments and penalties.
How to track down your supplier:
- Check the meter box: Often, the previous owners or the developer will leave a sticker from the current supplier on or inside the electricity meter cupboard.
- Use online search tools: If there are no records, you can use the Find My Supplier search tool for gas. For electricity, contact your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
- Locate your MPRN and MPAN: To make the process seamless, find your unique supply numbers. The MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) is for gas, and the MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is for electricity. These are found on the meters themselves or previous bills.
- Check your location: Depending on your region, you may have one provider for fresh water and another for sewerage.
- Complete a 'move-in' form: Most water companies have a dedicated 'Moving home' or 'New customer' section on their website. You will need to provide your completion date and your initial meter reading (if the property has a water meter) to ensure you aren't paying for the previous occupant's usage.
Locating your water and sewage company
Unlike energy, you cannot switch water companies. Your provider is determined entirely by where your new home is located. If you aren't sure who your water supplier is, you can use the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) postcode checker to identify your provider in seconds.
How to track down your supplier:
The first-time buyer’s utility action plan
Setting up utilities for the first time is easier when you break it down into manageable steps. Use this checklist to ensure you don't miss a thing when moving into your first house.
You need to:
- Take meter readings: As soon as you get the keys, take photos of the gas, electricity, and water meters. This prevents you from being charged for the previous owner's usage.
- Identify Existing Suppliers: Contact the current providers (or use Find My Supplier tools) to let them know you are the new legal occupier.
- Register for council tax: Notify the local authority of your move-in date to ensure your first-time buyer council tax billing is set up correctly.
- Review energy tariffs: You will initially be put on a "deemed contract" (standard variable rate). Once you have your account details, shop around for a more competitive fixed-rate or green energy tariff.
- Set up water and sewerage: Unlike energy, you cannot switch water suppliers. Identify your regional provider and set up your direct debit immediately.
- Order broadband in advance: Broadband for a new build or a first home can take 2–3 weeks to activate. Book your instaallation date as soon as you have a confirmed completion date.
- Update your TV License: Ensure your TV licensing is transferred to your new address to remain legally compliant from day one.
- Organise Home Insurance: Remember that your buildings insurance should be active from the moment of exchange, but ensure your contents cover begins the day you move in.
Setting considerations for new build properties
Setting up utilities in a new build is slightly different from those in an existing home. Because the property is brand new, the infrastructure is being activated for the first time.
It is important to understand the crucial differences and what you need to prepare for completion day.
Utility Service | Standard Resale (Existing) | New Build (Brand New) |
Broadband | Simple "transfer" or activation of an existing line. | Requires new line activation. Book 4-6 weeks in advance. |
Meter access | Usually inside (hallway/under stairs) or established external boxes. | Often in external cabinets or communal cupboards. Ask site manager for keys. |
Energy supplier | Inherited from the previous owner (found via "Find My Supplier"). | Pre-assigned by developer. You need MPAN (Elec) & MPRN (Gas)numbers. |
Council Tax | Banding is already established and searchable online. | Banding takes time. Budget early for a backdated bill. |
Water | Standard account transfer from the previous occupant. | Ensure the new meter serial number is registered to you on completion. |
Smart tech | May have older SMETS1 meters that can lose functionality when switching. | Typically fitted with SMETS2 meters, which stay "smart" across all providers. |
Expert Tip - New build demonstration
During your Home Demonstration (or "snagging" visit), ask the site manager to point out the physical location of your stopcock and all utility meters. Taking photos of the initial meter readings on the day you collect your keys is vital, as it ensures you aren't charged for any energy used by the builders during the construction phase.
Andrew Boast FMAAT
CEO of SAM Conveyancing
Managing the costs of your utility bills
Budgeting for your first home involves more than just mortgage payments. Understanding the ongoing costs of home utilities for first-time buyers is essential for maintaining financial health. While costs vary based on the size of your property and your usage habits, here is a breakdown of what you can expect to pay for essential services.
Estimated monthly cost for new homeowners
For a typical first-time buyer property (such as a one-bedroom flat or a small three-bedroom semi-detached house), average monthly costs generally fall within these ranges:
- Gas and Electricity: £120 to £180 (variable based on energy efficiency and local tariffs).
- Water and Sewerage: £35 to £50 (metered bills are often cheaper for small households).
- Council Tax: £120 to £200+ (heavily dependent on your local authority and property band).
- Broadband & Phone: £25 to £45 (look for "new customer" deals for your first house).
Small changes, big savings
As a new homeowner, you have full control over your energy efficiency energy efficiency for the first time. Consider these quick wins to manage your budget:
To make savings, you can:
- Install a smart meter: Most suppliers provide these for free, helping you track usage in real-time.
- Check insulation: If you’ve bought an older property, simple additions like draft excluders or LED lightbulbs can noticeably reduce your monthly outgoings.
- Review Council Tax discounts: If you are living alone in your first home, ensure you apply for the 25% Single Person Supplement through your local council.
- Switch from deemed contract: Your gas and electric contracts are often the most expensive tariffs, so it is important to identify the current provider and switch to a competitive rate. Switching as soon as you move in can save the average homeowner between £150 and £300 a year.
By accurately forecasting these costs of your utilities now, you can help ensure your transition from your old property to your new house is financially seamless.
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Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.
Caragh has written extensively for SAM with expertise on sale and purchase conveyancing, the Help to Buy redemption process, equity transfers and deeds, leasehold reform, RICS home surveys, shared ownership, and independent legal advice for specialist mortgage products and ownership structures.
