Your landlord is legally responsible for making sure that the installations for the supply of electricity, gas and water are kept in full working order. But if you are responsible for paying the utility bills directly yourself, you have the right to change supplier.
Essentially, there is no difference between being a renter and a homeowner when it comes to utility switching. The only time you can’t change supplier as a renter is if the utilities are included in your rent. The person paying the bills is the only one who can arrange a switch, so in that case it would be the landlord’s decision.
However, if you do decide to switch, you should let the landlord and/or property manager know in case there is an emergency when you’re not there, and so they have the correct current supplier contact details when you leave the property.
Is it worth switching now?
It’s always a good idea to periodically review the cost of your household bills, but with energy prices rising and the cost-of-living squeeze showing little sign of letting up, it’s well worth checking now that you’re not paying more than you need.
For the period from 1st July to 30th September, the energy price cap has risen by 13%, and it could go higher towards the end of the year. If you’re not already on a fixed deal, it’s worth considering locking in rates for at the next year to protect yourself against rising costs. Just be aware that if you do go on to a fixed deal and then decide you want to switch again before the end of the term, there’s likely to be an exit fee.
Getting the best utilities deal
We’d suggest the first step to getting the best deal is to use a price comparison website, such as Energylinx or Which.
In terms of energy, there are different types of tariff and each has pros and cons. Think about your energy usage patterns - how much time you spend at home on a typical day, when you mainly need heat, when you tend to do laundry, etc. - and whether you’re happier with a fixed or more flexible deal. That should give you an idea of which tariff is likely to suit you best. Three common rate options:
| Pro | Con | |
| Standard variable | You aren’t tied into a minimum-term contract, so can switch supplier at any time. | Prices are often higher than fixed tariffs and can change at any time, so there is a risk of your cost increasing. |
| Fixed | You know that your cost won’t change for the fixed period. | You are committing to a contract and there are likely to be exit fees if you want to switch during the term. |
| Time of use | You can benefit from a cheaper rate during off-peak times (usually during the day). | Electricity is more expensive at peak times. |
As well as energy deals, check broadband deals, particularly if you want an internet and TV package, where there’s often a big price difference between providers.
While price is an important consideration, how a supplier deals with you when there’s a problem is also something to take into account before you switch. Citizen’s Advice publishes a handy table every three months, ranking the largest energy suppliers on their customer service in four categories. So, once you’ve found some good deal options, it’s worth checking here to make sure your potential new provider has a decent reputation.
How easy is it to switch utility provider?
Very easy! If you use a third-party comparison site, they will often take care of everything on your behalf – you just give them your details, and they handle the switching for you. If you want to change over as soon as possible, this should happen within five working days, although you can set a later date for your new supplier to take over, which is usually within four weeks.
Regardless of how soon you switch, you have a 14-day cooling-off period, so if you change your mind and either want to go back to your old supplier or choose a new provider, you can do that without any penalty.
