Moving Home
Setting Up Household Bills in Your First Flat
On moving day, take meter readings for gas and electricity, photograph them, and contact the current energy supplier to set up an account in your name. Broadband can take two to four weeks if an engineer visit is needed, so order as soon as you have a moving date.
- Meter reading on moving day: photograph it
- Broadband: order before moving day
- Council tax: register with the new local council
Add your bills and contracts so Wisemium can show upcoming renewals and relevant actions. Broadband availability and prices vary by address.
New property
- Energy
- Meter reading taken
- Broadband
- Ordered
- Council tax
- Registered
Example. Your own details appear once you add them.
Bills to set up, in order
0 of 8 done
Before moving day
Moving day
First week
Ticks here are not saved. Add each bill to Wisemium to keep it on record.
The full guide
When you move into a rented property for the first time, some bills are fixed (council tax, rent, TV Licence) and some you can shop around for (energy, broadband). Getting each one set up in the right order avoids gaps in supply and unexpected arrears.
The bills, in order
| Bill | What to do |
|---|---|
| Energy | Find out which supplier is already on the meter. Contact them, give a meter reading on moving day, and set up an account. You can then stay or switch. |
| Council tax | Tell the local council you have moved in. Council tax is charged by the council for the property address. Students may be exempt; a single occupant gets a 25% reduction. |
| Broadband | Order as soon as you have a moving date. Broadband can take two to four weeks if an engineer is needed. Check what is available at the new address first. |
| TV Licence | Required if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, even on a phone or laptop. £169.50 a year (2026 rate). Can be paid monthly. |
| Contents insurance | Not compulsory, but it covers your belongings if they are stolen, damaged or destroyed. Often inexpensive for a small flat with modest contents. |
| Phone and mobile | Your mobile contract continues unchanged. Set up a new broadband plan if needed rather than relying on mobile data. |
Energy: do not wait to sort this
The energy supplier at your new address is whichever company was supplying the previous occupant. You inherit that supplier and that tariff on moving day, and you start accumulating a bill. Give a meter reading on the day you move in, keep a photo of it, and set up your own account within the first day or two. Once you have an account, you can switch to a different supplier if you prefer — but the first step is making sure the account is in your name from move-in day, not from whenever the previous occupant told them they were leaving.
Council tax: registering at the new address
Contact the local council for the new address (not where you lived before). You need your move-in date. The council sends a bill based on the property's band and how many adults live there. Full-time students are exempt; a property with only one adult pays 25% less than a full-rate bill. If your income is low, check whether you qualify for council tax support.
What landlords include in the rent
Some tenancies include energy, broadband or council tax in the rent, particularly in shared houses. Check your tenancy agreement carefully. If a bill is included, find out what the arrangement is, who the account is in, and what happens if usage is higher than the landlord expects.
Keeping bills on record
Adding your bills to Wisemium keeps the costs, contract end dates and renewal dates in one place. When a contract is due to end, it shows before the date arrives — so you can decide whether to switch rather than roll onto a higher price by default.
Add your bills and contracts so Wisemium can show upcoming renewals and relevant actions.
Live tariffs from energy providers Wisemium works with.
Speeds and prices vary by address.
Common questions
Can I switch energy supplier straight away?
Yes. There is no waiting period. Set up an account with the current supplier first so the move-in meter reading is on record, then switch when you want to.
Do I need contents insurance as a tenant?
It is not a legal requirement. Your landlord's building insurance covers the structure; it does not cover your belongings. Contents insurance is usually inexpensive for a small flat.
What if I have a prepayment meter?
A prepayment meter works by topping up credit before you use the energy. Give the meter reading on moving day and top up before you use it. You can ask your supplier about switching to a credit meter if you prefer.
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