Can I take my energy contract with me to new premises?
Only if your supplier agrees. Business energy contracts are tied to the supply points at one address, so a new site normally needs a new contract, unless the supplier agrees to carry your price across. Check your terms, ask in writing, and arrange cover before you move to avoid deemed rates.
Sometimes, but you cannot count on it. A business energy contract is tied to specific supply points, and a new building has different ones. Whether your supplier will carry the deal across is up to the supplier and the terms you signed.
Why it is not automatic
Each site has its own electricity supply number (MPAN) and gas supply number (MPRN), and your prices are agreed for those. At the new address you start with a new set of numbers and, unless you arrange something first, probably a deemed contract.
Three common outcomes
| Option | What it means | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer the contract | The supplier agrees to move your price and term to the new site. | It is a courtesy unless your terms promise it. Get it in writing. |
| New contract for new site, old one runs on | You keep the old site's deal until it ends, and sign afresh for the new one. | You still pay for the old site until the end of the term unless someone takes over. |
| Sell or pass on the old site | The new occupier takes over, with a change of tenancy. | Ofgem advises checking your terms for exit rules before you move. |
What to check in your contract
- Whether there is a clause about moving premises or transferring the deal.
- What an early exit costs if the old site is closed during the fixed term. Our page on leaving a business energy contract early covers this.
- Whether the price in your fixed deal depends on the site, its usage or its network area.
Ofgem also notes that most suppliers do not allow switching before a fixed contract ends, so settle the old site's position before assuming you can walk away.
A worked example
You have 14 months left on a deal at 28p/kWh for a shop using 15,000 kWh a year. If you leave and cannot transfer, the supplier may still charge for what the contract says you owe, which could include an exit charge. If instead the landlord's next tenant takes over with a change of tenancy, you may owe nothing more. The sums differ by contract, so ask for the figure in writing before you decide.
Best order of steps
- Read your contract, then phone or email the supplier to ask about moving.
- Get a price for the new site before you move, so you are not on a deemed rate. Compare it against a transfer.
- Give the supplier your leaving date and final readings, as in telling your supplier you are moving.
- Take a meter reading at the new site on day one.
If your fixed price is good, mention it when you ask. A supplier who wants to keep your business may agree to match it on the new site.
Next steps
See the moving premises and deemed contracts guide, or setting up energy for a new site if the building has no existing account.
Sources
General information only. Energy prices, rules and supplier terms change; check the latest position with your supplier, Ofgem or the Energy Ombudsman before you act.