Moving?

Moving in

Contact the electricity or natural gas retailer you’ve chosen at least two business days before you’re going to move in—or 20 business days if it’s a new home not connected to the supply before.

If you haven’t chosen a retailer, see our section on How to switch energy retailers.

You can also choose your own LPG retailer. If that retailer doesn’t own the tank or tanks already at the site, there will be a changeover of tanks. An LPG retailer isn’t obliged to offer you a service if serving your property isn’t commercially viable.

Moving out

Ring your electricity and gas company at least 3 business days before you move.

Give a forwarding address for your final bill—you can’t avoid a bill by moving out, so follow up if you don’t receive it. If you don’t, that may lead to debt collection action and may affect your credit rating.

Make sure there is clear, safe and unhindered access to the meter so it can be read.

If you live in a shared house and the account is in your name, make sure you let the electricity or gas retailer know who in the house is going to take over the account. If any account is left in your name after you’ve moved out, you may be chased for a debt you know nothing about.

Utility connection services

For a fee, a utility connection service will arrange connections on behalf of some utility companies (electricity, gas, water and telephone). Sometimes a real estate agency will encourage you to use the services of a connection service—the real estate agency may be receiving a commission from that service.

Be aware that you may not be offered choice of the full range of electricity or gas retailers when using a connection service.

If you use a connection service, you need to thoroughly check and understand the type of electricity and gas contract you’ll be on—including the name of the retailer, the rates, how long the contract is for, and any fees you may be charged if you exit the contract early.

Visit the Essential Services Commission’s Your choice website for more information about what energy contracts and rates are available to you.