EnergyPlus · May 2026

Cheapest energy tariff after moving home in the UK (May 2026)

When you move into a UK home you're automatically placed on the existing supplier's deemed (also called out-of-contract) tariff — which sits at the Ofgem cap. In May 2026 that's the April–June 2026 cap, almost always more expensive than the cheapest 12-month fixes on the market. The good news: from the day you take ownership or tenancy you can switch supplier within 5 working days, you don't need to use the previous occupier's supplier, and a no-exit-fee fix gives you certainty without locking you in. This page shows the cheapest tariffs after moving in May 2026 and walks the 7-day move-in checklist.

Get a personalised quote Read the fast answer

Editorial information, not financial advice. Prices and policy can change — always confirm against the supplier and Ofgem.

Cheapest tariff after a move — May 2026 at a glance

On moving day you're on the existing supplier's deemed contract — capped at the April–June 2026 Ofgem cap. The cheapest 12-month fixes sit 2–6% below cap on typical use, and several no-exit-fee fixes price at or just below cap. You can switch as soon as you've opened an account in your name with the existing supplier and submitted an opening meter read. Switching takes 5 working days; cooling-off is 14 days. Don't let the move-in inertia leave you on the deemed tariff for months.

Quick checklist (May 2026):

  • Deemed contract = capped at the Apr–Jun 2026 Ofgem cap until you switch or sign.
  • Cheapest 12-month fixes sit 2–6% below cap on typical use.
  • No-exit-fee fixes are at-or-just-below cap — good when you don't know your usage yet.
  • You can switch from day one of ownership / tenancy — no notice period on deemed.
  • Always submit an opening meter read on move-in day, even if you don't switch immediately.
Last updated
May 2026
Reviewed by
Energy Specialist
Audience
UK households & small businesses

Get a tailored quote

Share a few details and we’ll match you to suppliers and tariffs that suit your home, meter and usage. The aim is to make quotes comparable — same term, same assumptions — so you can decide with confidence.

What we’ll do with your details: request and present supplier quotes, and contact you about your comparison. You can ask us to stop at any time.

What changes your quote most

Annual kWh

Drives the unit-rate portion of your bill.

Meter type

Single-rate, Economy 7/10, smart, half-hourly all price differently.

Postcode & region

Standing charges and tariff availability vary by network region.

Term & start date

Fixes of 12/18/24/36 months trade certainty for flexibility.

Compare options now

No obligation. If you don’t know your usage, an adviser can help estimate it.

Start your comparison

By submitting, you confirm this is for a UK home energy comparison. We’ll use your details to provide quotes and contact you about your comparison. You can opt out at any time.

Tip: Your MPAN (and MPRN for gas) helps suppliers price more accurately. Both are on a recent bill.

Cheapest UK energy tariff after moving home in May 2026

A clear, current overview to help you choose with confidence.

What 'deemed' means and why it costs more

A deemed contract is the automatic supply contract you're on when you move into a property with an existing supplier — you haven't agreed terms, but you're using the energy, so a contract is deemed to exist. Ofgem caps the deemed price at the default tariff cap, which is the most expensive everyday rate in the market. The 'cost' is the gap between cap and the cheapest fix.

Why a fix usually wins for movers

Even allowing for first-month uncertainty (you don't know your real usage yet), the cheapest 12-month fixes save 2–6% on the cap on typical use. A no-exit-fee fix gives you the saving with no penalty for switching again once you've banked a few months of usage data and can pick a better-tailored deal.

Estimating usage on day one

Ofgem's typical domestic consumption values are the standard benchmark: ~1,800 kWh elec for a low-use single-occupancy home, ~2,700 kWh for medium use, ~4,100 kWh for high use. Gas: ~7,500 / 11,500 / 17,000 kWh for low / medium / high use. Use these to model the cheapest tariffs until you have a real bill.

If the previous occupier didn't pay

Old debts on the property don't transfer to you — they belong to the previous account holder. Open an account in your name with the existing supplier on day one, submit an opening read, and that draws a clean line. Disputed back-bills past 12 months are typically barred under Ofgem rules.

Compare like-for-like

Indicative May 2026 view for a household that has just moved in. Use the form on this page for a personalised comparison.

What to compare Typical range (May 2026) Notes
Deemed (out-of-contract) tariff Reference baseline Capped at the Apr–Jun 2026 Ofgem cap. Default the day you move in.
12-month no-exit-fee fix At cap to ~2% below cap Certainty with no penalty for switching once usage is known.
12-month fix (with exit fee) ~2–6% below cap on typical use Best annual saving if you're confident you'll keep the supply for the full term.
18 or 24-month fix 0–4% below cap Locks rate further into 2027/28 — fit for long-term owners.
Tracker (Octopus Tracker, E.ON Next Pulse) Sub-cap most days in May 2026 Daily wholesale-linked rate. SMETS2 required. Volatile.

7-day move-in energy checklist (May 2026)

  1. 1. Day 0 (move-in day) — take opening meter reads

    Photograph the electricity meter (both registers if Economy 7) and gas meter the moment you arrive. These are your baselines.

  2. 2. Day 0 — find the MPAN and MPRN

    MPAN (electricity) and MPRN (gas) are on the existing supply paperwork in the property. If not, ask the seller / landlord or use Find My Supplier.

  3. 3. Day 1 — open an account in your name

    Call the existing supplier (or use the app) to open an account using your opening meter reads. This closes the previous occupier's account and starts yours.

  4. 4. Day 2 — estimate your annual kWh

    Use Ofgem TDCV figures or the previous occupier's last bill (if available) as a starting estimate.

  5. 5. Day 3 — compare tariffs

    Use the form on this page to surface fixes, trackers and the no-standing-charge variant for your postcode.

  6. 6. Day 4 — apply for the switch

    Pick the cheapest fix (or no-exit-fee fix) for your usage profile and apply. 14-day cooling-off period applies.

  7. 7. Day 5–7 — switch completes

    Faster Switching means the new supplier takes over in 5 working days. Submit final reads to the old supplier and opening reads to the new supplier on go-live day.

Common pitfalls to avoid

The most frequent issues we see when households and businesses act on what looks like a good deal.

  • Staying on the deemed tariff for months by inertia — the cap rate is the most expensive everyday rate.
  • Forgetting to submit an opening meter read on move-in day — leads to estimated bills and back-billing disputes.
  • Cancelling the previous occupier's Direct Debit before opening an account in your name — leaves a billing gap.
  • Switching to a long fix before knowing your real annual kWh — pick a no-exit-fee fix first if unsure.
  • Inheriting the previous occupier's debt — you don't have to pay it; open an account in your name and submit reads.

Frequently asked questions

What tariff am I on when I first move into a UK home?

You're on the existing supplier's deemed contract — an automatic supply contract that exists because you're using the energy. Ofgem caps the deemed price at the default tariff cap, which in May 2026 is the April–June 2026 cap. It's the most expensive everyday rate, so you save by switching.

Can I switch energy supplier as soon as I move in?

Yes — there's no notice period on a deemed contract. As soon as you've opened an account in your name with the existing supplier and submitted an opening meter read, you can switch supplier and complete the switch in 5 working days.

Do I have to use the previous occupier's supplier?

No — you can switch immediately to any supplier. The previous occupier's contract ended when they moved out; you're on a deemed contract with the existing supplier, not their fix or special rate.

What if there's debt on the meter from the previous occupier?

Old debts belong to the previous account holder, not to you. Open an account in your name with the existing supplier on day one, submit an opening meter read, and that closes their account and opens yours from a clean baseline. If a back-bill arrives for the previous occupier's period, dispute it — back-billing past 12 months is barred under Ofgem rules in most cases.

What's the cheapest energy tariff after moving in May 2026?

On typical use, the cheapest 12-month dual-fuel fixes sit 2–6% below the April–June 2026 cap. Several no-exit-fee fixes price at or just below cap — a good first pick when you don't yet know your home's usage profile.

Should I pick a fix or stay on the deemed tariff?

Almost always pick a fix. The deemed tariff is the cap — the most expensive everyday rate. A no-exit-fee fix gives you certainty without penalty, and the cheapest standard fix saves 2–6% on the cap.

What meter information do I need on move-in day?

MPAN (electricity) and MPRN (gas) — both are on the existing supply paperwork or on the supplier's first letter. Take an opening meter read on day one (both registers if you have Economy 7), photograph the meter, and call or use the supplier app within 48 hours to open an account in your name.

How long does switching after moving take?

Five working days under the Faster Switching guarantee, once you've opened an account in your name. You don't lose supply at any point and there's a 14-day cooling-off period after applying.

Trust, methodology and sources

Page governance

Reviewed by
Energy Specialist
Last updated
May 2026

How we keep this page current

We refresh this page each month against the latest Ofgem cap, supplier tariff changes and current scheme guidance. Worked numbers are illustrative; quotes you receive via the comparison form are personalised to your meter and postcode.

Editorial independence: our priority is clarity and like-for-like comparison. Where commercial relationships exist, options are still presented on suitability and the information available at the time.

Reputable UK sources we reference

If you spot anything that looks out of date (a rule change, a new scheme), please contact EnergyPlus so we can review and update this page.

Ready to compare?

Get whole-of-market options matched to your meter and postcode. We’ll help you compare like-for-like and explain the terms before you decide.

Start my comparison Read the FAQs

You’re in control: compare options, ask questions, and only proceed if the terms suit you.

Back to Local Home Energy



Updated on 31 May 2026