Change of tenancy: sorting business energy when you move premises

A change of tenancy is when the business responsible for the energy at a property changes. When you move in or out, tell the supplier at the property as soon as you can, give dated meter readings, and provide proof of the move.

Moving premises is busy enough without the energy going wrong. But if you skip the energy steps, you can end up paying for the next tenant’s usage at your old site, or paying expensive deemed rates at your new one.

This guide covers both sides of a move, how to find the supplier at a property, and what to do if the landlord supplies your energy.

What is a change of tenancy?

A change of tenancy (the industry also says change of occupier) happens when one business leaves a property and another takes over responsibility for its gas and electricity.

The meters stay where they are and so does the supplier. What changes is who the supplier bills. Getting that handover right protects both the business leaving and the business arriving.

Ofgem says both the outgoing and incoming business should tell the current supplier about the change as soon as they can, “even if you are discussing contracts with new energy suppliers”.

What should you do when you move out?

Citizens Advice recommends these steps when you leave business premises:

1. Tell your supplier the date you are leaving, as early as you can.
2. Give a forwarding address so the final bill reaches you.
3. Take photos of your gas and electricity meter readings on your last day and note the date.
4. Switch everything off before you leave, as you might still be charged.

If you do not close your account, Citizens Advice warns you “might be charged for gas or electricity the next tenant uses”.

Check your contract before you go

Moving out does not end a fixed-term contract by itself. Your contract may ask for notice before you leave a site, or charge an exit fee if supply ends early. Check your terms, and see our guide on cancelling a business energy contract.

Who pays once the unit is empty?

For electricity, paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 to the Electricity Act 1989 says that where a supplier supplies premises without a contract, the deemed contract is with the occupier, or the owner if the premises are unoccupied. Give the supplier your landlord’s details so it knows who is responsible after you leave.

What should you do when you move in?

Arrange a contract before you move in if you can. Citizens Advice recommends this so you know your prices and any connection charges from day one.

1. Find out who supplies the premises (see below) and get the meter numbers.
2. Take dated photos of the meter readings on your first day. Citizens Advice suggests doing this even with a smart meter.
3. Tell the supplier you have moved in, with the readings and evidence of the change.
4. Agree a contract with that supplier or a new one.

Why you start on deemed rates

If you use energy before agreeing a contract, you are on the current supplier’s deemed contract. Ofgem says you are placed on one “when you move into a new business premises and use electricity or gas before agreeing a contract with a supplier”. Citizens Advice warns a deemed contract “might cost a lot more than other tariffs”.

You are not stuck with it. A deemed contract cannot have a fixed term, an exit fee or a notice period, so you can agree a contract with any supplier at any time. Our deemed contracts guide explains more.

What evidence will the supplier want?

Ofgem’s change of tenancy guidance lists documents such as:

• a tenancy agreement or lease
• property sale documents or title deeds
• if the supplier needs more, items such as mortgage documents, a business rates bill or a letter from your landlord

Citizens Advice also mentions confirmation from the solicitor or estate agent handling the move.

How long should it take?

Ofgem says the supplier should review your evidence within 10 working days. It should then do one of three things: close the old account and open yours, reject the change and tell you why, or ask for more information.

If you are switching to a new supplier at the same time, tell both suppliers and give both the evidence. The new supplier starts the switch, and the current supplier accepts it once the change of tenancy is confirmed.

How do you find the supplier at a property?

The quickest route is an old bill or letter left at the property. If there is nothing, use the national lookup services.

Gas

• Find My Supplier at findmysupplier.energy is run by Xoserve for the gas industry. Search by postcode to find the gas supplier and, where it can, the meter point reference number (MPRN).
• Meter Number Helpline: 0870 608 1524, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm. Citizens Advice says calls cost 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

If Xoserve has no record of a current supplier, it cannot tell you one, and you will need to contact the supplier you want to use.

Electricity

• Find your network operator using the Energy Networks Association’s postcode search at energynetworks.org. Ofgem and Citizens Advice both point to this tool.
• Use your network operator’s website to look up the supplier. Citizens Advice says you can usually search by postcode, though some operators ask you to fill in a form.
• Check the MPAN on any electricity bill for the site. It identifies the supply point.

The industry’s own electricity database, the Electricity Enquiry Service (delivered through a system called ECOES), is run under the Retail Energy Code. It needs a login and is used by suppliers, network operators and approved third parties, so most businesses will not use it directly. If you use a broker, they may look up your meter details for you.

What if there is no supply at all?

If the premises have no working meter or connection, you need a new connection rather than a change of tenancy. See our guide to a new business energy connection.

What if your landlord supplies your energy?

In some buildings the landlord holds the energy contract and recharges tenants. If so, you are not the supplier’s customer. The lease or service charge terms set how you are billed.

Ofgem’s maximum resale price rules limit what can be charged when energy is resold for use in people’s homes. In a call for input published on 9 October 2025, Ofgem listed non-domestic customers as one of the areas it was reviewing. Until anything changes, check your lease and ask your landlord how recharges are worked out.

If you want your own supply, ask your landlord first. Your lease may say who can hold the contract.

What if the supplier makes it difficult?

Suppliers should not put unreasonable barriers in your way. In December 2024 Maxen Power paid £1.65 million into the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Fund after an Ofgem investigation. Ofgem said Maxen’s evidence requirements at change of tenancy risked keeping tenants on more expensive deemed rates.

Ofgem suggests contacting the supplier if you get unexpected bills, disagree with its decision, wait more than 10 working days, or face unreasonable requests for information. If that does not work, you can go to the Energy Ombudsman or Citizens Advice. Our complaints guide explains how.

Moving premises checklist

Moving out	Moving in
Tell the supplier your leaving date	Find the supplier and meter numbers
Check your contract for notice and exit fees	Get quotes before you move if you can
Take dated photos of meter readings on your last day	Take dated photos of meter readings on your first day
Give a forwarding address and your landlord’s details	Send proof of the move, such as your lease
Switch everything off	Agree a contract to get off deemed rates
Check the final bill against your readings	Check your first bill starts from your readings

Once you are in, compare business energy quotes for your new site. Our guide on how to read a business energy bill will help you check your first bill.

Frequently asked questions