Moving House Electricity: How to Close Your Account and Connect Power
- Key Takeaways
- Which Electricity Connection Do You Need?
- What to Do With Electricity Before Moving House?
- How to Connect Electricity at Your New Address?
- Connecting Power to a Newly Built House
- Connecting Gas and Electricity When Moving House
- Electricity and Gas Connection Times and Costs When Moving House
- Special Electricity Arrangements to Check Before Moving
- What to Do If Your New House Has No Power?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Moving house electricity arrangements should be organised several business days in advance. Contact the retailer to close or transfer the old account and arrange electricity at the new address before moving day. For households wondering what to do with electricity when moving house, it is also worth checking whether gas must be arranged separately. Setting up electricity when moving house depends on whether the property already has an active supply, needs reconnection, uses an embedded network or is a new build requiring a meter and network connection. This guide covers each situation, including likely timeframes, possible fees and what to do if power is unavailable on moving day.
Key Takeaways
Ideally, start comparing plans available at the new address one to two weeks before moving.
Contact the retailer several business days in advance, provide the move-out and move-in dates, and arrange electricity at the new address.
Where accessible, photograph the electricity and gas meters before leaving the old property to keep a record of the final readings.
Make sure the meter can be accessed and follow any retailer instructions about the main switch before the scheduled connection.
On moving day, record the opening meter readings where applicable and confirm that power is available.
After the move, review the final bill for the old address and the first bill for the new property.
Which Electricity Connection Do You Need?
First identify whether the property already has an active supply, needs reconnection or requires a completely new connection. Checking this early can help prevent delays with a moving house electricity connection.
Property situation | What usually needs to be arranged |
Existing home where electricity is still connected | Open a new account or transfer the current electricity plan to the address |
Existing home where electricity has been disconnected | Ask an electricity retailer to arrange a reconnection |
Newly built home without an existing meter or network connection | Apply for a new electricity connection and organise meter installation |
Rental property supplied through an embedded network | Confirm the supply arrangement with the landlord, property manager or embedded network operator |
An established home usually needs an account transfer or reconnection, while a newly built home may require a first-time electricity connection. The new-build process is covered below.
What to Do With Electricity Before Moving House?
For anyone unsure what to do with electricity when moving house, the first priority is to give the retailer a confirmed move-out date. The old account should be transferred or closed before the keys are handed over so charges do not continue after the property has been vacated.
Notify the Current Electricity Retailer
Tell the retailer the move-out date and provide both the old and new addresses. Ask whether it supplies the new property and whether the current plan can be transferred. Update the email or postal address used for bills so the final statement and any refund details reach the correct place. Without a confirmed end date, charges may continue after the household has moved out.
Transfer the Plan or Close the Account
Choose the option that applies:
Transfer the plan when the retailer supplies the new address and the offer remains available there.
Close the account when changing retailers, moving outside the service area, entering an embedded network or choosing a different plan.
Do not assume the same rates, tariff structure or discounts will carry over. Electricity and gas may also require separate arrangements, even when both are currently supplied by the same retailer.
Record the Final Electricity and Gas Meter Readings
Before handing back the keys, photograph any accessible electricity and gas meters. Make sure the readings are clear and keep the original photo date. Submit the readings through the retailer’s app or online account where this option is available. Smart meter data may be collected remotely, but a photo still provides a useful record if the final bill needs to be checked.
Check the Final Bill and Account Closure
When the final bill arrives, check that:
the closure date matches the move-out date
the final bill only includes usage up to that date
the billing address and direct debit details are correct
any credit balance will be refunded or transferred
Keep the closure confirmation, meter photos and final bill until the account has been settled.
How to Connect Electricity at Your New Address?
Once the old account has been closed or transferred, arrange electricity at the new address. For most existing homes, setting up electricity when moving house means opening or transferring an account rather than applying for a new network connection.
Check Whether Electricity Is Already Available
Power may still be on when the keys are collected, but this does not mean the account is in the new occupant’s name, so do not rely on the previous resident’s account continuing after move-in. If there is no power, the property may only need reconnection through an electricity retailer. Renters should check the lease and ask the property manager how the electricity account is arranged.
Compare or Transfer an Electricity Plan
Check what plans are available at the new address before transferring the current one. Compare usage rates, daily supply charges, pricing conditions, fees, renewable energy options and available concessions, as rates and discounts can vary between distribution areas even with the same retailer. Understanding the cost of electricity per kWh can also help distinguish the usage rate from the fixed daily supply charge. If the property has solar panels, check that the selected retailer and plan support the existing system.
If the property has solar panels, check that the selected retailer and plan support the existing system.
Provide Your Details and Book the Connection
To arrange a moving house electricity connection, the retailer may ask for:
identification and contact details
the new address and move-in date
the current account number, where applicable
lease or occupancy details
the NMI or meter number, where available
meter access instructions
Book the connection before moving day and keep the confirmation email or text. Urgent connections depend on the location, distributor and request time, and may cost extra.
Prepare Meter Access and the Main Switch
In an apartment building, access to a shared meter room may need to be arranged through the property manager. Follow the retailer’s instructions about the main switch, and do not remove meter seals or operate restricted electrical equipment. If the technician cannot access the meter, the connection may be delayed and another appointment or fee may apply.
Record the Opening Meter Reading
On move-in day, photograph the electricity meter and, where applicable, the gas meter, then keep the date and readings to check against the first bill. Contact the retailer if the opening reading, meter number or account details do not match the property.
Connecting Power to a Newly Built House
The steps above apply to established homes. A newly built property may need a first-time network connection before an electricity account can be activated.
How a New Connection Differs From a Standard Move
Most established homes already have a meter and network connection, so moving in usually involves opening an account or arranging reconnection. Connecting electricity to a new house may instead require a new connection application, completed electrical work, distributor approval and permanent meter installation. The process generally takes longer than a standard account transfer.
Who Is Involved?
Party | Main role |
Electricity retailer | Opens the energy account and may submit or coordinate the connection request |
Electricity distributor | Manages the local network and approves or completes connection work |
Licensed electrical contractor | Completes the property-side electrical work and required documentation |
Builder or project manager | Coordinates site access, construction timing and other project requirements |
Confirm who is responsible for each stage before the work begins, particularly where the builder is managing the application on the owner’s behalf.
Meter Installation and Network Work
The work may include preparing the switchboard, installing a permanent meter, connecting service cables and confirming the network connection point. The distributor may also require inspection records or compliance documents before completing the connection.
Requirements depend on the property, local distributor, construction stage and existing network infrastructure. In some cases, getting electricity to a new house may require additional network work beyond the property boundary.
What May Delay a New Electricity Connection
Common delays include:
incomplete applications, compliance documents or distributor approvals
an unfinished switchboard or outstanding electrical work
limited meter installation appointments or restricted site access
extra network work where the existing connection point is unsuitable
The builder, electrician and retailer should confirm that each stage is complete before the planned move-in date.
Connecting Gas and Electricity When Moving House
Electricity may not be the only service to arrange if the new home also uses gas. The same retailer may handle both services, but electricity and gas still have separate accounts, requirements and start dates.
Can Electricity and Gas Be Moved Together?
A retailer that supplies both services may be able to arrange them at the same time. However, each connection is processed separately, so one service may be ready before the other. A dual-fuel plan is not automatically the cheapest option. Compare electricity usage rates, gas charges, daily supply charges and connection fees before deciding.
What If Different Retailers Supply Each Service?
Contact each retailer separately and provide the relevant move-out and move-in dates. Record the final and opening meter readings for both services, then confirm each start date. Transferring the electricity account will not automatically move or activate the gas account.
Check Whether the Property Uses Natural Gas or LPG
Check whether the cooktop, hot water system or heater uses mains gas or LPG. Homes using LPG generally require a bottled-gas supplier rather than a standard gas retailer. Confirm each service separately, even when the same company supplies both.
Electricity and Gas Connection Times and Costs When Moving House
Connection times and fees vary by retailer, distributor, location and property type. Check the requirements for the new address rather than relying on a timeframe or price quoted for another area.
How Long Does a Connection Take?
Connection situation | General timing consideration |
Standard move-in connection at an existing home | Usually arranged several business days in advance |
Urgent or same-day electricity connection | Depends on the retailer, distributor, location and request time |
Gas connection | May need extra notice or an on-site appointment |
Weekend or public holiday move | Standard connection options may be limited |
Newly built home | May take much longer if meter or network work is required |
Same-day electricity service is not guaranteed and is only offered in some areas or before the retailer’s cut-off time. A weekend or public holiday move usually requires earlier planning.
What Connection Fees May Apply?
Possible charges include:
standard connection or reconnection fees
urgent connection charges
meter reading or site visit fees
distributor charges
gas connection fees
new meter installation costs
licensed electrical contractor costs
network extension work for a new build
Some distributor or network charges may appear on the first bill issued by the electricity retailer. Costs vary between states, distribution areas and connection types, so check the retailer’s fee schedule or written quote before confirming the service.
Special Electricity Arrangements to Check Before Moving
Beyond connection times and fees, the account setup can also vary by property type and location. Rentals, embedded networks, regional homes and properties with solar may require additional checks before moving.
Moving Into a Rental or Embedded Network
Check the lease to see whether electricity is included in the rent and whether the tenant can choose a retailer. Some apartment buildings, retirement communities and residential developments use an embedded network, which may require an account with the embedded network operator. Ask the landlord or property manager how to open the account, and do not assume the real estate agent will arrange electricity automatically.
Moving Interstate or to a Regional Area
The current retailer may not operate at the new address, while available plans, daily supply charges and tariff structures can also change. The local distributor may also be different when moving interstate or into a regional area. If the new plan uses time-of-use pricing, check the off-peak electricity times that apply at the new address. Compare plans before moving, as some remote locations have fewer retailer options.
Moving Into a Home With Solar Panels
Confirm whether the solar system is included with the property and ask the landlord, seller or property manager for the meter, inverter and installation records. Check whether a battery is installed and whether the chosen retailer supports solar billing for the existing system. A new solar feed-in tariff will usually need to be arranged because the previous resident’s plan and feed-in tariff do not transfer automatically. Renters should also confirm who owns the system and how solar credits are applied.
What to Do If Your New House Has No Power?
If the power is still off when the keys are collected, first work out whether the issue is inside the property, with the connection or across the local network.
Check the Switchboard and Local Outages
Check the main switch, circuit breakers and safety switches. If only one room or appliance is affected, the fault may be inside the property rather than with the electricity connection. Check the local distributor’s outage information to see whether there are power outages in your area. Do not touch burnt, damaged or wet electrical equipment. Contact a licensed electrician for an internal fault, or emergency services if there is smoke, fire or an immediate safety risk.
Confirm the Connection Status
Check the retailer’s confirmation email or text to make sure the address and connection date are correct. Confirm that any instructions about the main switch were followed, then contact the retailer to ask whether the connection was completed or delayed because the meter could not be accessed.
Contact the Right Person
Contact the organisation responsible for the likely cause:
Electricity retailer for account activation or connection delays
Property manager or landlord for rental access or property-related issues
Embedded network operator where the building uses an embedded network
Electricity distributor for a confirmed local outage
Licensed electrician for faults inside the property
Temporary Backup Power During a Connection Delay
If the connection cannot be restored immediately, a portable power station can provide temporary power for essentials such as phones, lighting, a Wi-Fi router, laptops and other communication devices. Selected refrigeration may also be supported where capacity allows.
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus Portable Power Station combines portable storage with multiple charging options and can support selected household essentials during a connection delay or blackout. Its UPS function can provide a fast transition for compatible equipment. Actual runtime depends on the connected appliances, usage pattern and conversion losses.
A larger system such as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Whole-home Backup Battery is better suited to households seeking ongoing blackout protection after the move, rather than short-term power during a connection delay. When paired with the EcoFlow Transfer Switch, it can be integrated into the home electrical system for longer-term backup.
Conclusion
Moving house electricity arrangements are easier when the old account is closed or transferred and the new connection is confirmed before moving day. Keep the connection details and meter readings until the final bill for the old address and the first bill for the new address have been checked. If power is delayed, contact the retailer or relevant property contact first, then use temporary backup power for essential devices where needed. Households seeking longer-term blackout protection can also learn how to build a home battery backup system for use after the move.
FAQs
Do I need to disconnect electricity when I move out?
You normally need to close or transfer the electricity account rather than request a physical disconnection. Give the retailer the move-out date and, where accessible, record the final meter reading before leaving. Keep the reading and account closure confirmation until the final bill has been checked.
Can electricity be connected on the same day I move in?
Same-day connection may be available in some areas, depending on the retailer, distributor, location and request time. An urgent connection fee may apply, and the service is not guaranteed. Arrange electricity several business days before moving and confirm the start date with the retailer.
What should I do if my new house has no power after moving in?
Check the main switch, circuit breakers and local outage information, then confirm that the retailer has completed the connection for the correct address. Renters may also need to contact the property manager or embedded network operator. Do not touch burnt, damaged or wet electrical equipment, and contact a licensed electrician if the fault appears to be inside the property. Temporary backup power can support essential devices while the issue is resolved.