British Gas Moving Home Guide: Checklist & Phones

Use the resource links below to access official British Gas forms and guidance throughout your move.

“You don’t want to end up paying for the last owners’ energy usage, so take a meter reading and contact your supplier as soon as you can.”

“Please leave all energy supplier equipment, such as the in-home display with your smart meter, at the home you’re moving out of.”

“We’ll need to know you’ve moved within 28 days of your move date.”

“New arrivals at a British Gas property are automatically placed on SVT — don’t assume you’ve been put on a good deal.”

What happens to my smart meter when I move house?

Smart meters are tied to the property, not the customer — which means they travel with the house when you leave. British Gas can pull readings remotely from SMETS2 meters, so you don’t necessarily need to photograph the display before you hand back the keys, but it’s still good practice to note the numbers as a backup. The in-home display unit, however, stays behind: take it with you and it becomes useless at your new address since it’s paired to the old property’s smart meter hardware.

Smart meter update process

At your new home, your SMETS2 smart meter should already be registered to British Gas if the previous occupant was a customer. In that case, readings flow automatically and you won’t need to do anything manually. If your new property has a smart meter from a different supplier, you’ll need to contact British Gas to initiate a switch — the process is similar to any standard supplier change, and the Meter Point Administration Service can help identify your gas supplier if you’re unsure (phone: 0870 608 1524). British Gas also offers smart meter installation in properties that don’t yet have one.

Meter readings on move-out

Take photos of both your gas and electricity meters on moving day, ideally with a timestamp. British Gas recommends doing this as soon as possible to avoid accidentally paying for the previous owner’s energy use. Upload the readings through your online account or call the main customer line, 0330 100 0056, to report them directly.

Smart meters stay with the property, but the in-home display must be left behind—taking it to your new address renders it useless without re-pairing, and British Gas applies charges for replacements.

Is British Gas HomeCare transferable?

British Gas HomeCare — the company’s home emergency and boiler repair package — can generally be transferred to your new address, but eligibility depends on a few conditions. The policy covers the property, not just the customer, so if you’re moving within British Gas’s supply area and your new home qualifies, you can usually keep the cover running. Contact British Gas Home Services on 0333 009 5784 to confirm whether your new property meets the requirements.

Transfer conditions

The key variable is whether British Gas can supply energy at your new address. If you’re moving to a property outside their supply network, you may need to cancel the policy and take out a new one with a different provider. If you’re staying with British Gas, the transfer process involves updating your account address and confirming that the HomeCare terms still apply to the new property’s boiler and heating system.

Cancellation options

If HomeCare doesn’t transfer cleanly — for example, because British Gas doesn’t supply your new address — you can cancel without early exit fees since the policy is tied to the property. Give British Gas a call at least a few days before your move to make the switch as smooth as possible. Customers on the Priority Services Register for credit meters can reach British Gas on 0800 0728 625 for additional support during the transition.

HomeCare transfer hinges on British Gas supplying your new address—leaving their network means losing the policy entirely.

Who to tell that you’re moving house?

The energy supplier is always first on the list. British Gas asks that you notify them as early as possible — ideally at least a week before your move date, and definitely before the day you hand back the keys. You can do this online through your British Gas account, by calling 0330 100 0056, or through the live chat function on their website.

Energy suppliers first

Your electricity and gas suppliers need to know three things: your move-out date, your final meter readings, and your forwarding address for the closing bill. For business customers moving premises, British Gas requires notification within 28 days and asks for the final meter reading, your forwarding address, and details of the new occupier. The business-to-residential account transfer process takes about five working days once you’ve provided those details.

Other utilities and services

Beyond British Gas, you’ll want to contact your water supplier, local council for council tax, your internet service provider, and any other energy providers (such as a second electricity supplier or oil delivery service). For pre-payment meters, contact your supplier before moving to request a final top-up card and arrange any outstanding debt repayment to avoid complications at your new address.

What should I do before calling British Gas?

A two-minute prep call saves time on hold. Have your British Gas account number to hand — you can find it on any previous bill or letter — along with your move-in and move-out dates confirmed. If you’ve already taken meter readings, have those numbers ready. Knowing whether your new property is already on the British Gas network helps too, since that affects whether you can transfer your existing tariff.

Gather account details

Your account number is the single most useful piece of information when calling British Gas about a move. It typically starts with a 9-digit number on your bill. If you don’t have a recent bill, you can also identify your account using the postcode of your property combined with your name. Having your bank details handy isn’t necessary for most moves — billing is handled through your existing payment method unless you specifically request changes.

Confirm move dates

British Gas wants to know the date you moved out of your old property and the date you moved into your new one. If your move is planned for a specific day, tell them in advance; if you’re calling retrospectively, they can still process the transfer. The earlier you report the move, the less chance there’s a gap in billing — new occupiers at a British Gas property are automatically placed on the standard variable tariff, which is roughly 30% more expensive than the best fixed deals available.

How do I speak to a human at British Gas?

The automated menus can be frustrating, but there are direct routes in. For billing enquiries, the dedicated number is 0333 202 9802 — this connects you to the billing team specifically rather than the general customer service queue. For general account moves, the main customer service line is 0330 100 0056. If you’re a HomeCare customer, call 0333 009 5784 to reach the home services team.

Phone and live chat options

British Gas also offers a live chat function through their website and mobile app, which can be faster than waiting on hold for routine move-related queries. The app itself lets you report meter readings, update your address, and track your account — useful if you want to handle the process outside of phone hours. If you’re mid-move and struggling to get through on the phone, the online account portal is often the most reliable way to submit your details.

Billing enquiries number

The billing contact number, 0333 202 9802, is the most direct line for questions about final bills, credit balances, or payment arrangements during a move. For emergencies — power cuts, gas leaks, or carbon monoxide alarms — do not use the standard customer lines. Dial 105 for electricity emergencies (free from any phone) and 0800 111 999 for the National Gas Emergency Helpline, which handles gas leaks and CO incidents only.

Moving Home with British Gas: Step-by-Step

This checklist walks you through what to do before, during, and after your move to keep your British Gas account in order.

Related reading: British Gas contact number

When coordinating your British Gas home move, the British Gas home move guide outlines key contacts, processes, and timelines for uninterrupted energy service.

Frequently asked questions

British Gas has a clear process for moving home, but the critical pressure points are timing and meter readings. For the UK’s millions of residential movers each year, the stakes are concrete: a missed reading means months of billing disputes, and a delayed notification puts you on an expensive standard variable tariff before you even know it’s happened.