Moving day arrives and the electricity works, the water works, and there is no internet for three weeks. That is the common pattern, because most utilities transfer automatically and connectivity frequently does not.
Lead times differ enormously, which means the order you arrange things matters more than the list itself.
What changed in 2026
- Broadband lead times stayed long. New connections requiring an engineer continued to take weeks in many areas.
- Smart meters became more common. Automatic readings reduced but did not eliminate the need for manual readings at changeover.
- Switching remained straightforward. Changing energy supplier stayed a relatively quick process.
- Mobile broadband improved as a stopgap. Cellular home internet became a viable bridge while a fixed connection is installed.
Sequence by lead time
| Service |
Typical lead time |
When to arrange |
| Broadband |
Weeks; longer if an engineer is needed |
As soon as you have a date |
| Energy supply |
Days; often transfers automatically |
A couple of weeks before |
| Water |
Usually continuous; account transfer |
A week before |
| Council or local authority |
Days |
A week before |
| TV or streaming services |
Immediate to days |
Anytime |
| Home insurance |
Must be in place from completion |
Before the move |
Broadband first, always. It has the longest lead time and the most that can go wrong — an engineer appointment, an existing line that needs activating, or no service at the address requiring a different technology. Arranging it the week before means weeks without it.
Check what is actually available at the specific address rather than at the postcode. Availability varies house by house, particularly for newer technologies.
Home insurance must be in place from the moment you are responsible for the property, which for a purchase is typically from exchange or completion rather than from when you move in. That gap catches people.
Meter readings
The step that prevents billing disputes.
Take readings at both properties on the day: gas, electricity, and water where metered. Photograph the meter showing the reading and, ideally, something establishing the date.
Submit them to the relevant suppliers promptly. Without them, estimated bills apply, and disputing an estimate months later against someone else's usage is tedious and frequently unsuccessful.
Smart meters reduce the need and do not eliminate it — a reading at changeover is still worth having, particularly if the meter is not communicating properly.
Do not simply inherit the supplier
Moving into a property means inheriting whatever supplier the previous occupant used, on a default tariff that is rarely competitive.
You are free to switch, and doing so shortly after moving is straightforward. Many people never get around to it and pay a default rate for years.
The practical approach: accept the inherited supply initially so there is no gap, then switch once you have settled. Note the meter details and the current supplier so the switch is simple.
Find the essentials on arrival
Worth ten minutes on the first day, before you need any of it urgently.
The stopcock — the main water shutoff. Knowing where it is and that it turns is what stops a burst pipe becoming a flood. Test it; stopcocks seize.
The consumer unit — the fuse board. Know where it is and which breaker does what.
Gas shutoff, where applicable.
Meters — where they are and how to read them.
The heating controls and how the system works.
Photograph all of it, including meter serial numbers, and keep it with your property documents — see document vault.
Common mistakes
- Arranging broadband last. Longest lead time.
- No meter readings. Billing disputes follow.
- Insurance starting on move-in rather than on responsibility. Gap in cover.
- Staying on the inherited tariff indefinitely. Rarely competitive.
- Not locating the stopcock. Discovered during a leak.
- Everything scheduled for moving day. One delay compounds.
- Not checking availability at the specific address. Postcode-level checks mislead.
FAQ
What if broadband cannot be installed before I move in?
Mobile broadband is a workable bridge in most areas — a cellular router or phone tethering covers the gap without a contract commitment.
Do I need to tell the water company?
Yes, to open an account in your name. Supply usually continues uninterrupted; the account transfer is the administrative step.
What about the previous occupant's final bills?
Your meter readings on the day establish the boundary. Disputes arise where nobody took readings, which is why photographing them matters.
When should I switch supplier?
Once settled, after a few weeks. Switching immediately during a move adds a moving part to an already complicated period.
Where to go next
For redirecting post to the new address, read mail forwarding. For protecting the new property, water leak sensors, and for finding tradespeople for any work needed, contractor vetting.