Final Bills & Forwarding Your Mail
At a Glance
When you’re busy packing and moving, it’s easy to forget about the practical tasks that come with leaving a rental property. Taking final meter readings, notifying utility companies and updating your address can help prevent unexpected bills, lost post and delays in closing your accounts.
This guide explains everything you should do before and after moving out to ensure a smooth transition to your new home.
Taking Final Meter Readings
On the day you move out, take clear photographs of all your utility meters before you leave the property.
If applicable, record:
- Electricity meter
- Gas meter
- Water meter
Photographs should clearly show:
- The meter reading
- The meter serial number (if visible)
- The date and time, if your phone records this automatically
These readings provide evidence of your final usage and help ensure you’re only billed for the energy you’ve actually used.
Closing Your Utility Accounts
Once you’ve taken your final readings, contact your utility suppliers to let them know you’ve moved out.
Provide:
- Your final meter readings
- Your moving-out date
- Your forwarding address
- Your final contact details
Most suppliers will issue a final bill shortly afterwards and either refund any credit or request payment for any outstanding balance.
If bills were included in your rent, you should check your tenancy agreement to understand which services, if any, you remain responsible for.
Council Tax
Don’t forget to update or cancel any services linked to your property.
This may include:
- Broadband
- Landline telephone
- TV packages
- Streaming services linked to your address
- Home insurance
- Contents insurance
Some providers require several weeks’ notice before cancelling a contract, so check your terms as early as possible.
If you’re moving to another property, your provider may be able to transfer your service instead.
Broadband, TV & Other Services
If you’re responsible for paying Council Tax, notify your local council as soon as possible that you’re moving.
You’ll usually need to provide:
- Your moving-out date
- Your new address
- The names of anyone else moving with you (if requested)
This helps ensure your Council Tax account is closed correctly and reduces the risk of being billed after you’ve left.
Redirecting Your Mail
One of the easiest things to overlook is your post.
Even after you’ve updated your address with important organisations, letters can still be sent to your previous home.
To avoid missing important correspondence, you may wish to arrange a Royal Mail Redirection service for a few months after you move.
This gives you extra time to update any organisations you’ve forgotten.
Updating Your Address
Remember to update your address with organisations such as:
- Your bank or building society
- Credit card providers
- Your employer
- HMRC
- DVLA (driving licence and vehicle registration)
- Your GP, dentist and other healthcare providers
- Your employer or pension provider
- Insurance companies
- Mobile phone provider
- Electoral Register
- Schools or childcare providers
- Subscription services and online retailers
Updating your address promptly helps ensure you continue receiving important correspondence and reduces the risk of identity fraud.
Before You Leave
- Taken final meter readings.
- Photographed all utility meters.
- Notified your utility suppliers.
- Contacted your local council.
- Cancelled or transferred broadband and TV services.
- Updated your address with important organisations.
- Arranged mail redirection (if required).
- Provided your landlord or letting agent with a forwarding address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give my landlord a forwarding address?
It’s a good idea.
Providing a forwarding address makes it easier for your landlord or letting agent to contact you about your tenancy deposit, final bills or any post that arrives after you’ve moved out.
What happens if I forget to take meter readings?
Your supplier may estimate your final bill based on previous usage, which may not accurately reflect what you’ve actually used.
Taking photographs of your meters on moving day can help avoid disagreements.
Do I need to redirect my post?
It’s not a legal requirement, but many people find it worthwhile.
Mail redirection can help prevent important letters from going to your previous address while you’re updating your details with different organisations.
What if bills were included in my rent?
Check your tenancy agreement to confirm which bills were included and whether you need to notify any providers yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Take clear photographs of your utility meters before leaving.
- Notify your utility suppliers and provide final readings.
- Inform your local council that you've moved.
- Cancel or transfer broadband, TV and other household services.
- Update your address with banks, employers, HMRC, the DVLA and other important organisations.
- Leave your landlord or letting agent with a forwarding address.
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