The Business Utilities Checklist for Moving Premises
Electricity, gas, water, waste and card payments, in the order to sort them, so the first bill at your new place isn’t a nasty one.
When a business moves premises, the utilities need attention at both ends of the move. At the old site, contracts are closed down properly with final meter readings and formal notice. At the new site, the suppliers need identifying so you can move off deemed rates, which are usually far higher than anything you would agree yourself, and onto contracts you have chosen. Start about three months out, and put meter readings, supply numbers and contract end dates at the top of the list.
Quick snapshot
- The moment you take responsibility for a new property, you’re on deemed rates for energy until you agree a contract. Sorting it in week one pays for the admin many times over.
- Your old contracts don’t move with you. Most business energy contracts can’t transfer to a new address, so each supply needs closing at one end and opening at the other.
- Photograph every meter on the day you leave and the day you arrive. Two minutes of photos settles almost every billing dispute a move can produce.
Must do on day one
If you are taking over a new premises, find the physical meters and photograph them on day one, readings included. Those photos fix your starting point, so you cannot be billed for the previous occupant’s usage. Getting this right can save a serious amount of money.
Then find out who supplies each meter. New occupiers sometimes assume there is no existing supplier, but there always is. From the day you take over you are on a deemed or out-of-contract rate, and those rates are usually far higher than a negotiated contract. Every day that passes, the business pays more than it should, and the liability grows.
Why moves go wrong
Two things catch businesses out. The first is the gap nobody owns, where the old tenant assumes the landlord told the suppliers, the landlord assumes the new tenant did, and the supplier quietly bills whoever’s name it can find. The second is the default pricing that fills the vacuum, because a property with no agreed contract is supplied on deemed rates, which sit far above anything negotiated.
Neither problem takes much solving once you can see it coming, and seeing it coming is the whole job of a checklist.
Three months out, know what you’ve got
Pull together the paperwork for every supply at your current site. Electricity, gas, water, waste collection, card terminals, broadband and phone lines. For each one you want the contract end date, the notice period, and the account number. For energy you’ll also want your MPAN and MPRN, both printed on your bills.
The timing question is whether your contracts end near your move date. A contract with two years left doesn’t usually transfer to the new address, and some suppliers charge early termination fees when you move mid-term, while others let you end the agreement with proof of the move. Ring each one and ask, because the answers shape the budget.
Six weeks out, give notice
Tell every supplier your move date in writing. For energy this is the change of tenancy process, and our change of tenancy guide walks through it in detail. You’ll typically need the move date, a forwarding address, and details of who takes over the property, usually the landlord or the incoming tenant.
Water and waste both need notice too, and waste especially tends to hide rollover clauses that renew the contract for another year if you miss the window. Check that one first.
Check what the new premises actually has
Before you exchange on the lease if you can, and immediately after if you can’t, find out what supplies the new site has. Which meters exist and where they are. The MPAN and MPRN for the site, which the landlord or agent should provide. Who currently supplies each utility, which you can check for electricity and gas through the details in ECOES and Xoserve via any broker, or by asking us. Whether the electricity supply capacity (measured in kVA) suits your kit, since a commercial kitchen or machinery may need a three-phase supply the unit doesn’t have. For water, note the site’s SPID number from a current bill if the landlord has one, because it identifies the supply the same way an MPAN does for electricity.
This is also when you find out if the site sits on an independent gas transporter network or has an unusual meter setup. Better to know before the removal vans are booked.
Moving day, readings and photos
Take a reading from every meter at the old site as you hand back the keys, and every meter at the new site as you take them. Photograph each one with the serial number visible, because the meter serial number is what ties a reading to a meter if anyone disputes it later.
Send the closing readings to your old suppliers the same day and ask for a final bill for each account. A real reading now stops an estimated read deciding your last bill for you, and estimates at handover have a way of estimating in the supplier’s favour.
Energy at the new site, escape the defaults
From the day you’re responsible for the property, the incumbent supplier is charging deemed rates. There’s no exit fee and no notice period on those, so you can move to a proper contract immediately, and you should. Get two or three quotes on the same day and compare them properly. Our guide to comparing business energy quotes covers exactly how, and if you’re a smaller operation the small business energy guide covers the protections you’re owed along the way.
One warning shaped by experience. You’ll get cold calls at a new commercial address, some claiming to be the current supplier needing a contract signed urgently. Nothing about deemed rates is urgent enough to sign on a first phone call.
Water, waste and the rest
Business water is switchable in England and Scotland, and a move is the natural moment to compare, since you’re setting the account up fresh anyway. The process mirrors energy, and our water switching guide covers it. Waste collection needs a contract in place from day one, because trading without one risks duty of care problems, and commercial waste quotes vary widely for identical bins. If you take card payments, tell your terminal provider the new address early, because re-registering a terminal to a new location can take longer than you’d expect and a till that can’t take cards is a bad first morning. While you’re at it, check whether the new site’s broadband can actually run the tills before opening day rather than during it.
If the site needs new connections or bigger meters
Units that have been split, newly built or long vacant sometimes have no live supply at all, and that’s a different process with longer lead times. A new electricity connection or new gas connection runs through the network operator and can take weeks to months depending on the works involved, so it’s the first thing to start if it applies to you. The same goes for meter installations and upgrades where your equipment needs more capacity than the site has.
Common traps
The ones we see most. Waste contracts that rolled over because notice was a week late. Deposits paid to the old supplier and never chased after the final bill. Shared meters in multi-unit buildings, where you’re recharged by the landlord and can’t switch at all, which changes the whole checklist and is worth confirming before you sign the lease. Serviced offices sit at the far end of that spectrum, with utilities bundled into one fee, and the question there is what happens to the price at the first review rather than who supplies the power. Standing charges quietly running at an old site that was never formally closed down. And signing the first energy contract offered at the new place out of relief rather than comparison.
Every one of these is cheaper to prevent than unwind.
The condensed checklist
Three months out, list every supply at both sites with end dates and notice periods, and query early exit terms with each supplier. Six weeks out, give written notice everywhere, start the change of tenancy process for energy, and order any new connections or meter work the new site needs. One week out, confirm handover details with the landlord and line up quotes for the new site. On the day, read and photograph every meter at both ends, submit closing readings, and request final bills. Week one at the new place, agree an energy contract to end the deemed rates, set up water and waste, and check the first bills that arrive against your own readings.
None of it is difficult. It’s just fifteen small jobs that all want doing in the right order, in the busiest month your business has had for a while.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for energy bills when a business moves premises?
Whoever is responsible for the property on a given day pays for the energy used that day. Responsibility usually passes with the lease or completion date, which is why matching meter readings to that exact date matters at both ends of a move.
Can I take my business energy contract with me to new premises?
Usually not. Business energy contracts are tied to the meter at a specific address, so most can’t transfer. Some suppliers will end the old contract without penalty if you provide proof of the move, and some will offer a fresh contract at the new site. Ask early, because the answer varies by supplier and contract.
What happens if I move into premises without arranging energy?
The site’s existing supplier bills you on a deemed contract from the day you take responsibility. Supply carries on uninterrupted, but at default rates well above a negotiated contract. There’s no exit fee on deemed rates, so you can switch to a proper contract straight away.
How long does it take to set up utilities at new business premises?
If supplies are already live, days. An energy contract can be agreed in an afternoon and a switch completes in around five working days. If the site needs a new connection or meter installed, plan in weeks to months and start that process as early as you can.
Do I need to tell my water supplier when my business moves?
Yes. Water needs formal notice and a closing meter reading like energy does, and the new site’s water account should be set up in your name from your first day of responsibility. A move is also a sensible moment to compare water retailers, since the market is open in England and Scotland.
Can I still be charged for energy at premises I’ve left?
Yes, if the supplier was never told you’d gone. Charges follow whoever is recorded as responsible for the property, so give written notice with your move date, submit a closing reading, and keep the photos. With those three things, wrongly billed charges after your leaving date are straightforward to challenge.
What should I check about utilities before signing a commercial lease?
Whether each supply is metered separately or shared with other units, where the meters are, what capacity the electricity supply has, and whether any supply is on an independent network. Shared or landlord-controlled supplies mean you can’t choose your own deals, which is worth knowing before you commit.
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Clearsight Energy helps UK businesses compare, understand and move to better utility contracts.
Your questions on this, answered in order
The questions businesses actually ask about this topic, in the order they tend to ask them. Each answer leads to the next; where we can help, there is a link.
I’m moving into new business premises, who supplies the electricity?
The existing supplier stays in place until you agree something different. Find the MPAN on the meter or a previous bill, or use your local network operator’s meter number lookup to identify the supplier. Let them know your move-in date and take a dated meter reading. Until you agree a contract, you’ll usually be on deemed rates.
What should I do on the day I move into a business premises?
Take a clear photo of the meter showing the reading, date and meter serial number. Note the MPAN, tell the current supplier the business name and move-in date, and ask them to close any previous occupier’s account. This protects you from paying for the last tenant’s usage and gives you a firm start point for billing.
Do I have to pay the previous tenant’s electricity debt?
No, debt belongs to the person or business that used the supply, not the premises. If you’re billed for usage before your move-in date, send the supplier your dated meter reading and proof of occupation, such as the lease start date. A supplier can sometimes object to a switch due to debt on the meter, so resolving it early helps.
Can someone check my business electricity bill for errors?
Clearsight Energy offers bill validation, which compares your invoices against your contract rates, meter reads, standing and capacity charges, VAT and CCL treatment. Common findings include estimated reads, wrong VAT rates and charges carried over after a move. Send us recent bills and the contract and we’ll explain what we find and what can be raised with the supplier. Get in touch →
How long can I stay on deemed rates after moving in?
You can stay on deemed rates indefinitely, but they’re usually priced above contracted rates, so most businesses agree a contract soon after moving in. Because a deemed arrangement isn’t a fixed term, you can normally switch to a contract with the existing supplier or a new one without an exit fee.
Will a new business need a credit check or deposit for electricity?
Often, yes. Suppliers usually credit check the business and, for newly formed companies with no trading history, may ask for a security deposit or a director’s guarantee, or limit the contract terms they’ll offer. Having your company number, trading start date and bank details ready helps. Different suppliers take different views, so it’s worth comparing more than one.
Can I get a quote for electricity at my new premises?
Yes. Clearsight Energy can compare suitable contracts for a premises you’ve just taken on, using the MPAN, your move-in date and an estimate of usage. If there’s no usage history, we’ll work from the type of business and opening hours. We’ll set out the term, rates and broker fee, so you can move off deemed rates with a clear picture. Get in touch →
What proof of occupancy will the supplier ask for?
Suppliers usually ask for the date you took over, a meter reading from that day, and a document such as a lease, licence or completion statement. A dated meter photo is helpful. This lets them close the previous occupier’s account correctly and bill you only from your start date.
Can my new contract be backdated to the day I moved in?
Sometimes, particularly with the supplier already on the meter, which may let you start a contract from your occupancy date if you act quickly. A new supplier generally can’t start before the switch completes. Either way, register your occupancy promptly, because every week on deemed rates is billed at the higher price.
Can someone check my first bill at the new premises?
Clearsight Energy’s bill validation can check that billing starts from your occupancy date and read, and that you aren’t paying the previous occupier’s usage or debt. Send the bill with your move-in reading and lease date, and we’ll set out anything to raise with the supplier. Get in touch →
How do I find the MPAN for a business premises?
The MPAN is printed on electricity bills as a grid starting with S, and the bottom 13-digit line is the core MPAN. Without a bill, your local distribution network operator can usually look it up from the address or meter serial number. The top line shows the profile class, which tells you if the meter is half-hourly or non-half-hourly.
What does the profile class on my MPAN mean?
The first two digits of the MPAN top line are the profile class. Classes 03 and 04 are standard business meters, 05 to 08 are larger maximum-demand meters, and 00 means half-hourly metering. With market-wide half-hourly settlement, more meters are being settled on half-hourly data, so this label matters less over time, though it still shows how you were originally set up.
Can someone run a business electricity quote for me?
Yes. Clearsight Energy can compare suitable contracts across the suppliers on our panel for you. A recent bill helps, though your MPAN, address, current supplier, contract end date and an idea of annual usage are usually enough to start. We’ll set out the options, the term, the rates and the broker fee so you can decide in your own time. Get in touch →
My landlord supplies the electricity, can I choose my own supplier?
If the supply is in your landlord’s name and recharged to you, you generally can’t switch it yourself, and the lease will set out how costs are passed on. If you have your own MPAN and the supply is in your name, you can choose your supplier. It’s worth checking the lease before signing, as recharge terms vary widely.
Can I get my own electricity meter in a shared building?
Often, yes, with your landlord’s permission. A new meter point needs a supplier and, depending on the wiring, the distribution network operator may need to carry out work. Once you have your own MPAN, you can contract directly with a supplier. Costs and timescales vary, so ask for a quote from the network operator before committing.
Who can help me arrange a new meter and supply?
Clearsight Energy can help coordinate a new supply. We’ll explain what the network operator needs, help you obtain an MPAN and compare suitable contracts once the meter point exists. Network connection charges and timescales are set by the operator, so we’ll make sure you know what to expect from each party. Get in touch →
Can I get a short-term electricity supply for a pop-up or temporary site?
Yes, though options depend on whether there’s already a meter. For an existing metered unit you can usually take over the supply and agree a short contract or a rolling arrangement. Sites without power need a temporary connection from the network operator, or generators for short events. Leaving enough lead time is the biggest factor in getting it right.
Can I get a business electricity contract for less than 12 months?
Some suppliers offer shorter fixed terms or rolling variable contracts, though choice is narrower and prices are often higher than for longer terms. Staying on deemed rates is another option but usually costs more. If your lease length is known, matching the contract to it helps avoid paying for a term you won’t use.
What happens to the electricity contract when my short lease ends?
Tell your supplier in writing that you’re leaving, with the date and a final meter reading, and give a forwarding address. Check your contract for what happens if you leave before the end, as some allow a change of tenancy without penalty and others don’t. Without notice, you may stay responsible for charges after you’ve gone.
How do I avoid being billed for electricity after I’ve moved out?
Take a dated photo of the meter on your last day, send it to the supplier with your leaving date and forwarding address, and ask for written confirmation and a final bill. Let the landlord know too. If bills keep coming, quote that confirmation in a complaint. Small businesses can escalate to the Energy Ombudsman if it isn’t resolved.
Can someone check my final electricity bill?
Clearsight Energy’s bill validation can check your final bill against your closing read, contract rates and any deposit or credit owed back. Errors at move-out are common, especially estimated closing reads. Send the bill with your meter photo and leaving confirmation, and we’ll set out anything worth challenging. Get in touch →
How long does a temporary connection from the network take?
It varies by network operator and site, from several weeks to a few months, depending on whether new cabling is needed. Apply to the local network operator as early as you can with the load and dates you need. You’ll also need a supplier for the meter once it’s fitted, so it’s worth arranging that alongside.
Can someone arrange a supplier for my temporary connection?
Clearsight Energy can compare suppliers willing to take on a temporary or short-term supply once the MPAN is issued, so there’s a contract ready when the meter goes live. Share the site address, expected dates, the MPAN or connection reference and your estimated usage, and we’ll set out suitable options and our fee. Get in touch →
What is an unmetered electricity supply?
It’s a supply to equipment with a predictable load, such as street lights, illuminated signs, bus shelters or telecoms cabinets, where fitting a meter isn’t practical. Usage is calculated from an agreed inventory of equipment and its operating hours. You still need a supplier contract, and keeping the inventory up to date keeps the charges accurate.
Can someone quote for our unmetered electricity supplies?
Clearsight Energy can compare suitable contracts for unmetered supplies once we have the MPANs and your current equipment inventory. It’s a good moment to check the inventory matches what’s actually installed. Share those details and your contract end date, and we’ll set out the options and our fee. Get in touch →
How do I get electricity connected to a new business premises?
A new connection is arranged with your local distribution network operator, or an independent connection provider, who quotes for the physical work. Once the connection is approved, an MPAN is created and you’ll need a supplier to register the meter point and fit a meter. Allow plenty of time, as network quotes and works can take weeks or months.
How much does a new commercial electricity connection cost?
Costs depend on the capacity you need, distance to the network and whether reinforcement work is required. A simple single-phase supply near existing cables may be modest, while three-phase or high-capacity connections can cost far more. Your network operator will provide a formal quote, and you can compare it with an independent connection provider.
What capacity (kVA) do I need for my business?
Capacity, measured in kVA, is the maximum load your supply can deliver. It’s based on the equipment you’ll run at the same time, such as heating, kitchens, machinery or EV chargers. Too little and you risk tripping or penalties, too much and you’ll pay higher capacity charges every month. An electrician can help estimate peak demand.
Should I plan for solar or EV charging when I size the connection?
It’s sensible to. EV chargers add significant load, and solar or battery systems may need network approval for export. Planning both at the connection stage can avoid a second application later. Your network operator will want to know about generation, and on-site solar can reduce the electricity you buy from the grid during daylight hours.
Can I get a solar survey for my business premises?
Clearsight Energy can arrange a commercial solar assessment. It looks at roof space and orientation, your half-hourly or annual usage, how much you’d use on site and what you might export. Having your electricity data to hand makes the feasibility figures far more realistic, so it’s worth sharing a year of usage when you ask. Get in touch →
What happens during a commercial solar survey?
A surveyor looks at roof area, orientation, shading and structure, plus the electrical setup and connection. Your usage data is used to estimate how much solar output you’d use on site and how much would be exported. The result is usually a proposed system size, an estimated output and an indication of cost and payback.
Do I need network operator approval to connect business solar?
Yes. Smaller systems can usually be connected and notified under the G98 process, while larger ones need prior approval under G99. Larger applications can take some time, and the network operator may limit export where the local network is constrained. Your installer normally handles the application.
Can I get a solar proposal with costs and payback for my site?
Clearsight Energy can arrange a solar proposal setting out system size, estimated output, cost and an indicative payback based on your usage and electricity contract. We’ll explain the assumptions, such as future prices and how much you use on site, so you can judge the figures. Share your usage data and site details to begin. Get in touch →
How do I get an electricity supplier for a new meter?
Once the network operator has issued an MPAN, a supplier needs to register the meter point before a meter can be fitted. Choose the supplier and contract first, then the supplier arranges a meter installation date. Having the MPAN, the energisation date and the agreed capacity ready helps suppliers price and register the supply.
Can I get a business electricity contract before the meter is fitted?
Yes, suppliers can usually offer a contract once the MPAN exists. Clearsight Energy can compare suitable contracts for a new connection using the MPAN, the expected start date, capacity and an estimate of usage. We’ll explain how the meter installation fits around the contract start so you’re not left on deemed rates. Get in touch →
How long does a new electricity connection take?
Simple connections can be completed in a matter of weeks, but larger supplies needing network reinforcement can take many months. Network connection reforms have been changing how queues work for larger connections. Start the application as early as possible, and keep the supplier and meter installation steps in your project plan alongside the network works.
Can I use a temporary builder’s supply in the meantime?
Yes, construction sites often use a temporary builder’s supply, which is a metered connection with its own MPAN and contract. It’s usually replaced or converted once the permanent supply is ready. Make sure someone owns the account and closes it properly, as temporary supplies are a common source of unexpected bills after projects finish.
Can someone run a business electricity quote for me?
Yes. Clearsight Energy can compare suitable contracts across the suppliers on our panel for you. A recent bill helps, though your MPAN, address, current supplier, contract end date and an idea of annual usage are usually enough to start. We’ll set out the options, the term, the rates and the broker fee so you can decide in your own time. Get in touch →
I’m moving into new business premises, who supplies the electricity?
The existing supplier stays in place until you agree something different. Find the MPAN on the meter or a previous bill, or use your local network operator’s meter number lookup to identify the supplier. Let them know your move-in date and take a dated meter reading. Until you agree a contract, you’ll usually be on deemed rates.
How do I get electricity connected to a new business premises?
A new connection is arranged with your local distribution network operator, or an independent connection provider, who quotes for the physical work. Once the connection is approved, an MPAN is created and you’ll need a supplier to register the meter point and fit a meter. Allow plenty of time, as network quotes and works can take weeks or months.
Can I get a short-term electricity supply for a pop-up or temporary site?
Yes, though options depend on whether there’s already a meter. For an existing metered unit you can usually take over the supply and agree a short contract or a rolling arrangement. Sites without power need a temporary connection from the network operator, or generators for short events. Leaving enough lead time is the biggest factor in getting it right.