Last updated: Sunday 4 October 2026 (Europe/London).
Next update: when Ofgem publishes the January–March 2027 price-cap decision (due 25 November 2026) or major suppliers change move-in / deemed-contract rules.
By: Switch Editorial Team, Switch Squid Ltd
As of 4 October 2026, Ofgem’s Oct–Dec dual-fuel Direct Debit typical bill is £1,723 — and if you are moving house this autumn you will almost certainly land on a deemed standard-variable tariff at the new address until you switch, even if you had a sharp fixed deal at the old one. £1,723 is a typical-use sketch (about 2,500 kWh electricity and 9,500 kWh gas), not your personal move-in bill. Primary Compare buttons on this page use MoneySuperMarket’s residential energy journey. We may earn a commission if you switch through our links.
Sources: Ofgem Oct–Dec 2026 price-cap announcement, Ofgem unit rates and standing charges, and Energy Saving Trust moving-house energy checklist.
Compare home energy after you move (MoneySuperMarket)
- Ofgem Oct–Dec typical dual-fuel Direct Debit sketch: £1,723
- Rank Year-1 cost with your new postcode and real kWh
- Main limitation: quotes need meter type, payment method and usage
What happens to energy when you move house in October 2026
Two properties mean two energy stories. At the old address you close or transfer the account. At the new address you usually inherit whoever already supplies the property — on a deemed contract that follows default (price-capped) rates unless you move onto a better product. That is why October’s £1,723 sketch matters for movers: default Direct Debit unit rates and standing charges for Oct–Dec 2026 are already live on SVTs.
Citizens Advice and Energy Saving Trust both stress early notice to your current supplier (often at least 48 hours, more is better), closing and opening meter reads, and a conscious switch after move-in rather than hoping the deemed tariff is cheap.
Move-in facts under the £1,723 cap (checked 4 October 2026)
| Item | Figure / rule | Why movers care |
|---|---|---|
| Ofgem dual-fuel DD typical | £1,723/year | Oct–Dec 2026 sketch for default tariffs — often what deemed contracts track |
| Electricity unit (national DD avg) | 26.32p/kWh | Default average; published electricity averages exclude VAT in the Oct–Mar window |
| Electricity standing (national DD avg) | 54.83p/day | Region varies — new postcode can change standing cash overnight |
| Gas unit (national DD avg) | 7.97p/kWh | Includes 5% VAT in published averages |
| Gas standing (national DD avg) | 29.68p/day | Region varies |
| Deemed contract at new home | Usually SVT with incumbent | You can normally switch out with no exit fee from a deemed deal |
| Exit fee on old fixed | May apply mid-term | Often waived in the final ~49 days — ask before you assume a free exit |
| Next cap decision | 25 Nov 2026 | Jan–Mar 2027 levels may change winter planning after you settle in |
Fixed deals at the old address do not automatically follow you. Some suppliers let you take a tariff to the new property if the meter type and credit checks work — many do not. Always ask in writing before completion day.
Step-by-step: leave the old home cleanly
1. Tell the old supplier early. Give the move date, new address for the final bill, and whether you want to try a tariff transfer.
2. Take closing reads. Photo traditional meters; for smart meters confirm the supplier can pull a final read on the day.
3. Ask about exit fees. If you are mid-fixed, get the cash figure and the last-days waiver window.
4. Keep the final bill. You need it if the new occupant disputes overlapping days.
5. Cancel any unrelated add-ons (boiler cover sold with the energy account) so they do not renew by mistake.
Step-by-step: take control at the new address
1. Opening reads on day one. Photo every meter and send them to the incumbent supplier once you know who that is (ask the estate agent, previous occupant, or check correspondence left at the property).
2. Expect a deemed SVT. Under the Oct–Dec 2026 cap window that usually means price-capped default rates, not a secret bargain.
3. Compare with real kWh. Use the last 12 months from the old home only as a rough start — the new property’s insulation, occupancy and heating can differ a lot. After two weeks of smart or manual reads, refine the annual estimate.
4. Switch if Year-1 wins. Rank all-in cost, standing charges, exit terms and start dates. Cooling-off still applies on many new contracts if you change your mind quickly.
5. Set Direct Debit from real use once you have a month of settled data — avoid copying the old home’s payment.
Home energy plan comparison for your new postcode
- Same new postcode and annual kWh on every quote
- Open standing charge + unit rate on each tariff label
- Only switch if Year-1 all-in beats staying on the deemed SVT
When switching immediately after move-in wins
Switch early when the deemed SVT is clearly above competitive fixed or tracker quotes for your usage, when standing charges in the new region hurt a low-use flat, or when you want one dual-fuel bill instead of split suppliers left by the previous occupant. Waiting “until winter settles” often just means more weeks on default rates that already reflect the £1,723 sketch.
When waiting a fortnight is smarter
Pause briefly if you cannot get a trustworthy opening read, if the property is empty for renovation with near-zero use, or if you are still deciding whether a heat-pump / Economy 7 / EV tariff fits the new meter. A short pause for accurate kWh beats locking a wrong usage assumption for 12 months — but diary a hard compare date so the pause does not become six silent months on SVT.
Fit summary
Good for: households completing in October–December 2026 who want a clear move-in energy path under the £1,723 cap window.
Consider alternatives: if your supplier will transfer a competitive fixed tariff to the new address without a worse rate — take that offer in writing first.
Not for: business premises — use SwitchSquid’s business-energy guides and form instead of residential MoneySuperMarket links.
Important conditions
- Ofgem’s £1,723 figure is a typical-use sketch, not a personal bill guarantee.
- Exit fees, tariff transfers and smart-meter recommissioning depend on supplier rules — confirm on your account.
- Prepay meters need careful top-up and debt checks before and after completion.
- Priority Services Register status should be re-declared at the new address if you still need it.
- Comparison quotes change daily; re-check the live retailer journey the day you switch.
- We may earn a commission via MoneySuperMarket affiliate links.
Final decision card
Moving this week → closing + opening reads, identify the incumbent, compare with the new postcode, switch off deemed SVT if Year-1 wins.
Still weeks from completion → ask the current supplier about tariff transfer and exit fees now, not on moving day.
Already on a good fixed that can move with you → get that confirmed before shopping the open market.
Confirm live home energy quotes for your new address
- Re-check MoneySuperMarket with today’s rates and your latest kWh estimate
- Align switch start date with move-in so you are not billed twice for the same week
- Save screenshots of standing + unit rates before you accept
FAQ
Can I switch energy supplier when I move house in October 2026?
Yes. At the new address you can normally leave a deemed contract without an exit fee and switch to another residential deal. Take opening meter readings on day one and compare using the new postcode under the Oct–Dec £1,723 cap window.
Will my old fixed energy deal move with me?
Only if your supplier agrees to transfer it. Many will not, or will re-price. Ask in writing before completion. If it cannot move, check any exit fee and the final ~49-day waiver window.
What is a deemed energy contract after moving in?
It is the default supply with whoever already serves the property. It usually follows standard-variable / price-capped rates until you choose another product. It is rarely the cheapest long-term option in a competitive market.
Does the £1,723 October 2026 price cap apply to my new home?
The £1,723 figure is Ofgem’s typical dual-fuel Direct Debit sketch for default tariffs from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your cash depends on regional standing charges, payment method, meter type and actual kWh — always personalise quotes.
How soon after moving should I compare deals?
As soon as you have an opening read and a rough annual usage. Many movers compare in the first week so they do not sit on deemed SVT rates for a whole heating season.
What if the property has a prepay meter?
Tell both suppliers, protect any credit, and ask about debt or mode changes before you top up heavily. Switching pathways differ from Direct Debit homes — confirm on the live comparison journey.
Do I need to tell the new supplier my Priority Services needs again?
Yes. Re-register at the new address if you still need extra support. Moving does not always carry PSR flags automatically.
Where should I compare residential deals after a move?
Use a trusted residential comparison journey with your new postcode and realistic kWh. On this page the primary buttons go to MoneySuperMarket’s gas and electricity affiliate path for home meters only.
