What happens to your energy when you are moving business premises?
When you are moving business premises, the energy is the bit nobody puts on the checklist until the first strange bill lands. Boxes, keys and broadband get the attention. Energy quietly carries on in the background, and it is billed to someone.
That someone should be you from the day you take over, on a contract you have chosen. If you skip the paperwork when moving business premises, you can end up on a rate you did not choose. This guide covers what Ofgem says to do, in the order to do it.
Who should you tell first when moving business premises?
Tell the current energy supplier for the property, as soon as you can. Ofgem’s guidance on change of tenancy for businesses says this applies whether you are the business moving in or the business moving out.
It also says to do this even if you are still talking to new suppliers about a contract. The reason is to avoid unnecessary delays or billing complications. If you use an energy broker or another third party intermediary, they can do this for you.
Moving business premises falls under what Ofgem calls a Change of Occupier or Change of Tenancy. If your business is changing property, for example because of a property sale, business expansion or bankruptcy, that is the process you are in.
What do you need to do if you are staying with the same supplier?
If you are moving business premises into a new property and staying with its current supplier, Ofgem says you should notify that supplier about the change in occupier as soon as possible and include a meter reading if you can. Take the reading on the day you get the keys, and photograph the meter.
The supplier may ask for evidence. Ofgem gives examples: tenancy or lease agreements, property sale documents or title deeds. Have them to hand when you call.
Ofgem says the supplier will review your documents within 10 working days and then do one of three things:
- close the old account and create a new account
- reject the proposed change of occupier and say why
- ask for more information, and say why the evidence was not enough and what else it needs, for example mortgage documents, business rates bills, or letters from a bank, solicitor or landlord
What if you want a new supplier when moving business premises?
You can change supplier at the new property. Ofgem says you should notify both the current and the new supplier about the change in occupier, and provide evidence to both. The new supplier can help with this.
The new supplier starts the switching process. Ofgem says the current supplier will accept the switch if it agrees that a change of occupier has happened, and will reject it, with a reason, if it does not.
For a wider look at how contracts differ, see our guide to fixed, variable and deemed business energy rates.
Why do deemed rates matter when moving business premises?
Because the default can be expensive. Ofgem says you are put on a deemed contract automatically when you move into new premises without arranging a formal contract, and that deemed rates are usually higher than negotiated contract rates.
Ofgem also says you are put on a deemed rate if your energy supplier goes out of business. The simple lesson is to arrange a contract early rather than let the default choose for you. Our guide on business energy deemed rates explains how they work.
Doing nothing is exactly what this system is built around. Suppliers do not need to be sneaky about it. They only need you to be busy moving.
Key takeaways
- When moving business premises, tell the current supplier as soon as you can, whether you are moving in or out.
- Include a meter reading and have your lease, sale papers or title deeds ready.
- Ofgem says suppliers review evidence within 10 working days.
- Deemed rates apply if you move in without a formal contract, and are usually higher than negotiated rates.
What should you check before you agree a contract when moving business premises?
Ofgem’s page on getting a business energy contract lists what to know before you agree. Run through it before you sign for the new site.
- What type of contract it is.
- How long the term is.
- Whether there are any fees, for example those agreed in special clauses.
- What protections you have.
- Whether any broker fees or commissions are included in the price.
- What happens at the end, for example whether it renews automatically or moves you to out of contract rates.
If you work from home, Ofgem says you are probably on a domestic energy contract, so check with your supplier. Ofgem also says there is no cooling off period after you agree to your business contract, which makes it worth choosing carefully and using a trustworthy broker if you use one. That last point is the one to slow down for: once you have agreed, you cannot change your mind the next morning.
If your business is small, you may have extra protections. Our guide to microbusiness energy rights explains who qualifies.
What if something goes wrong when moving business premises?
Use the supplier’s complaints process first. Ofgem says you, or your broker, should do that if you get an unexpected bill, disagree with a supplier’s change of tenancy decision, wait beyond the 10 working day review period, or feel the extra information the supplier wants is unreasonable.
If that does not fix it, Ofgem says you can take your case to the Energy Ombudsman or get help from Citizens Advice.
Frequently asked questions about moving business premises and energy
- Do I have to tell the energy supplier when I move in?
- Ofgem says you should inform the current energy supplier for the property as soon as you can, whether you are moving in or out.
- What proof will the supplier want?
- Ofgem gives tenancy or lease agreements, property sale documents and title deeds as examples. A supplier may also ask for items such as mortgage documents, business rates bills or letters from a bank, solicitor or landlord.
- How long does the supplier take to decide?
- Ofgem says the supplier reviews your documents within 10 working days.
- Can I switch supplier at my new premises?
- Yes. Ofgem says to notify both the current and the new supplier and give evidence to both. The new supplier starts the switch.
- What are deemed rates?
- Ofgem says you are put on a deemed contract automatically if you move into premises without arranging a formal contract. Deemed rates are usually higher than negotiated rates.
- Is there a cooling off period on a business energy contract?
- Ofgem says there is no cooling off period after you agree to your business energy contract, so check the terms before you sign rather than after.
- How early should I plan energy when moving business premises?
- As early as you can. Ofgem says to inform the current supplier as soon as possible, and our advice is to arrange a contract early so a deemed rate does not choose for you.
Sources
- Ofgem: Change of tenancy for businesses, published 27 June 2025. The page shows no last updated date, so check it for anything newer. Source of the notification duty, the broker point, meter readings, the evidence examples, the 10 working day review, the three outcomes, switching supplier and the complaints route.
- Ofgem: Get a business energy contract. The page shows no published or last updated date. Source of the deemed contract rules, the point that deemed rates are usually higher, the pre-contract checklist, the working from home point and the absence of a cooling off period.
Checked 6 November 2026. Ofgem’s change of tenancy guidance is dated June 2025, so check it for any newer guidance before you move.
