TL;DR
When you move in you inherit whoever already supplies the property, so take a meter reading on day one, find the supplier and set up an account. You pay a daily standing charge plus a unit rate, both limited by the Ofgem price cap on standard tariffs. You can switch once your account is set up. Knowing the key terms makes the first bill far easier to read.
Last reviewed: June 2026
| Energy and bills |
Key facts
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Day one: read the meter and find the supplier
On the day you move in, photograph the gas and electricity meter readings. This fixes the point from which you are responsible and stops you paying for energy the previous occupant used. Keep the photo until your first accurate bill arrives.
If you do not know who supplies the property, you can find the electricity supplier through your local network operator and the gas supplier through the Meter Number Helpline. Then contact the supplier, give your move-in date and opening readings, and set up an account in your name.
Learn the terms on your bill
Energy bills use a handful of terms that confuse people on a first bill. The table below explains the ones that matter. The two costs you pay are the standing charge, a fixed daily amount, and the unit rate, the price per unit of energy used.
Because the standing charge applies every day regardless of use, a home that uses very little energy still has a baseline cost. In a first flat with low usage, the standing charge can be a meaningful share of the bill.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Standing charge | A fixed daily amount you pay to be connected, regardless of usage |
| Unit rate | The price you pay for each kilowatt hour of gas or electricity used |
| Price cap | The Ofgem limit on rates for standard variable tariffs |
| Deemed contract | The default contract you are on if you do not choose a tariff |
| MPAN / MPRN | The unique reference numbers identifying your electricity and gas supply |
Check the current price cap figures on the Ofgem website.
The price cap and the deemed contract
Ofgem, the energy regulator, sets a price cap that limits the unit rates and standing charges suppliers can charge on standard variable tariffs. The cap is reviewed regularly, so the exact figures change: check the current cap on the Ofgem website rather than an older number.
If you move in and do not actively choose a tariff, you are placed on a deemed contract with the existing supplier. Deemed contracts are valid but not always the cheapest, so review tariffs once your account is set up.
Switching and sharing
You can switch supplier or tariff once your account exists, even in rented accommodation, as long as you pay the bills directly and your tenancy does not prevent it. Compare the unit rate and standing charge together, because a low unit rate with a high standing charge may not save a low-usage household money.
If you live with others, agree early how the bill is split and whose name the account is in. The named account holder is the person the supplier holds responsible for payment.
Related guides |
This guide is editorial information based on official UK public sources as at June 2026 and is not financial advice. Figures and thresholds change: confirm current details with the official source before acting. Kael Tripton Ltd is an independent publisher, is not regulated by the FCA, and takes no commission, quotes or lead fees on the products discussed. |
Frequently asked questions
Who supplies energy when I first move in?
You inherit the supplier already serving the property and are on a deemed contract until you choose a tariff or switch.
Can I switch energy supplier as a tenant?
Yes, if you pay the bills directly and your tenancy does not forbid it. If energy is included in rent, the landlord controls the supply.
What is a standing charge?
A fixed daily amount to be connected to the network, charged whether or not you use energy that day. It is separate from the unit rate.
How do I know the price is fair?
Standard variable tariffs are limited by the Ofgem price cap. Check the current cap figures on the Ofgem website.
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