A new homeowner's checklist for setting up bills

Congratulations, you’ve got the keys to your new place! The boxes are in, the kettle’s on (hopefully), and the adventure of homeownership has officially begun. But with the excitement of choosing paint colours and planning a housewarming, there’s also that little thing called ‘life admin’. It’s not the most glamorous part of moving, but getting your household bills sorted early helps you have a smoother start in your new space.

To make things easier, we’ve created a simple, step-by-step checklist to guide you through the bill-sorting process. We'll cover the four key areas you’ll need to tackle: council tax, energy, water, and broadband. And while you're in admin mode, it’s also a great time to consider your home insurance options.

Checklist part 1: your council tax

Let’s start with the one no one’s exactly excited about – council tax. It helps fund local services like rubbish collection, libraries, and parks, and getting it sorted early means one less thing to worry about later.

What you need to do:

Let your local council know that you’re the new owner at your new address. You can do this online, and it only takes a few minutes.

How to do it:

1. Find your local council: the quickest way to do this is by using the GOV.UK website. Just enter your new postcode and it’ll take you to the right place.

2. Register online: once you’re on your local council’s website, look for the section on council tax and follow the steps to register from your move-in date. You’ll need your new address and the date you moved in.

While you’re there, you can also find out your council tax band. This tells you how much you’ll pay, and it’s good to know what to expect.

Checklist part 2: your energy (gas and electricity)

Next on the list is your gas and electricity. This one can feel a bit more complicated, but we’ve broken it down into five simple steps.

What you need to do:

1. Find your meters: as soon as you get your keys, locate your gas and electricity meters. They’re usually in a cupboard under the stairs, in the garage, or in a box on an outside wall.

2. Take meter readings: on your move-in day, take a reading from each meter and snap a quick photo for your records. This is super important to make sure you don’t end up paying for the previous owner’s usage.

3. Find your current supplier: you’ll temporarily be on the previous owner’s energy supply. If you’re not sure who the supplier is, you can find out by contacting your local gas and electricity network operators.

4. Set up your account: get in touch with the current supplier, give them your details and meter readings, and get the account switched over to your name.

5. Switch and save: once your account is set up, you’re free to shop around for a better deal. Use a price comparison site to see if you can switch to a cheaper tariff. And once you've found the best deal, you can start budgeting for your bills with Pots in your Monzo account.

Checklist part 3: your water supply

Unlike energy, you can’t switch your water supplier. It’s determined by your location, which makes this one of the easiest bills to set up.

What you need to do:

You just need to find out who your supplier is and set up an account in your name.

How to do it:

1. Find your water supplier: the easiest way to do this is to use the Water UK website.

2. Set up your account: once you know who your supplier is, get in touch with them to set up your account from your move-in date. If your new home has a water meter, they’ll ask for a reading. If not, you’ll be on a standard rate.

Checklist part 4: your broadband and phone

A good internet connection is one bill you’ll probably want to arrange before you move in. That way, you can be connected from day one, and won’t miss any episodes of The Traitors.

What you need to do:

Find a provider that’s available at your new address and offers a deal that works for you.

How to do it:

1. Use a price comparison site: this is the best way to see which internet providers are available in your area and what deals they’re offering.

2. Consider your needs: when choosing a provider, think about download speed (how much bandwidth do you need for streaming, gaming, and working from home?) and contract length (are you happy to commit to a longer contract for a better deal?). You should also check if you could save money by bundling your broadband with a TV or phone line. 

Once you've chosen your internet provider, arrange for your new connection to be set up for your move-in day (or whenever suits you best). And when the bill comes in, you can keep things organised by paying from your bills Pot.

Bills are sorted, now what?

And just like that, you’ve tackled the essential life admin of moving. You’ve registered for council tax, set up your energy, contacted your water supplier, and chosen your broadband. Give yourself a pat on the back – you’ve just built a solid financial foundation for your new home.

Now that you can manage all your household bills from your Monzo account, you can focus on the more exciting parts of homeownership, like choosing the exact shade of off-white you want to paint your walls.

Monzo current account required and must be open for the whole insured period. UK residents aged 18+. Ts&Cs and exclusions apply.

Questions? Answers.

What information do I need to set up my utility bills?

You’ll generally need your new address, your move-in date, and your bank details. For energy bills, you’ll also need meter readings.

I’ve moved in and don’t know who the energy supplier is. What do I do?

You can find out who your gas and electricity suppliers are by contacting your local network operators. You can find their details on the Energy Networks Association website.

Should I just stick with the previous owner’s energy supplier?

You don’t have to. Once you’ve set up an account with the current supplier, you’re free to use a price comparison site to switch to a better deal.

Who else should I tell I’ve moved?

Don’t forget to update your address with your bank, your employer, the DVLA, and any other organisations you have accounts with. For a fee, you can also ask the post office to redirect your post for 3, 6 or 12 months.