How To Transfer Utilities When Moving: A Step-by-Step Guide

There’s no shortage of tasks to scratch off the moving list.  It’s easy to forget about transferring utilities when moving in the rush of packing, loading, and unloading.

But failing to move your water, electric, and gas services over to the new spot can rack up huge bills for no reason, with fees and charges from a place you no longer live. 

Trust me – I know firsthand. Your partner or roommate puts the bills at the new place in their name, and you forget all about the electricity at the old spot…  until those overdue bills start showing up in the mail thanks to outstanding balances. 

If you’re selling a home, you likely have a new place to live planned out. This guide teaches homeowners how to transfer utilities from the recently sold house to your current home as soon you close the sale. And while many of the steps are the same for renters, we’ll also review how to transfer utilities when renting, pointing out the differences at each step. Finally, we’ll explain how taking advantage of first-month-free self-storage deals in your area can save you time and money, especially during peak moving seasons.

Time is of the essence, so let’s get right into Step 1 of our step-by-step guide on how to transfer utilities!

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1. Start the Utility Transfer Process Early

We suggest initiating the utility transfer process weeks in advance, if not months. Make a list of all your utility providers 2-4 weeks before moving day – we’ll explain how to do this in the next step. 

The move of utilities takes even longer in the summer because summer is the busiest time to move. If you plan to move in the summer, give yourself even more time. 

You may also want to give yourself even more time if you’re moving from a recently sold house into a newly purchased one since all utilities will likely be in your name at both locations. If you’re transferring utilities when renting, now is a good time to separate which utility services are in your name and which are in your landlord or rental property company’s name as we move into step 2. 

2. Compile a List of Your Current Utilities

Step 2 is to actually write out a list of all your current utility services. Start with a list of any and all the basic utilities you use, such as:

• Electricity
• Water
• Sewage
• Gas
• Cable
• Satellite
• Garbage
• Phone
• Security System
• Internet
• Landscaping Services
• Homeowners’ insurance
• Renters’ Insurance
• EZ-Pass. Texas Tag. or other toll service

Once you’ve got a detailed list of all your current utilities, make a second column next to it for info on each of your current utility service providers. 

For example, if you wrote “internet” down in column A, column B will have the following information on your internet service providers:

• Name of Current Utility Company
• Service Package Provided
• Name on Account (yours, your partner’s, a roommate, etc).
• Account Number
• Contact Information for Provider

Collect this info for this for all your current service providers. If you’re renting, some of the names on these accounts may be roommates, a landlord, or a rental property management company. This is still useful information since you may need to put these services in your own name once you’re moved into the new pad. 

3. Research Utility Providers

Depending on how far you’re moving, your current providers may not all be available in your new neighborhood. The next step is to check with providers’ online resources about their range of availability.

You may be able to transfer some of these accounts to the new address. That said, you might have to close your accounts with some of your current utility companies. If that’s the case, you’ll have to open accounts with utility companies in your new area once you’ve moved in, especially if you’re moving to a different state. 

If you’re displeased with any of your current utility services, now’s a great time to shop around for more adequate utility providers in the new neighborhood. Consult some online customer reviews and utility provider recommendations and make a third column on your list for availability and preferred providers. 

4. Contact Your Current Utility Service Providers

Now that you’ve got your handy list of utilities, it’s time to work down the utilities checklist and request a transfer of utilities to the new address. We suggest starting with the most essential services and marking them off so you don’t lose track. 

If you’re here wondering how long it takes to transfer utilities, here’s your answer:  Start this process at least three weeks in advance, if not four. For any utility services such as cable, security, and internet services that call for an installation appointment, we suggest notifying utility companies a month in advance to be on the safe side.

For simplicity’s sake, check the website for each provider on your list and see if you can save time and social energy by transferring services online. Otherwise, you’ll need to contact each provider by phone. Regardless of how you contact them, be sure to have the following information on hand before you do:

• Account Number: It’s a good thing you wrote all that info down during step 2, right? 
• Current Address: The street address of your current residence –  the place you’re moving out of. 
• New Address: The street address of the new pad you’re moving into. 
• Shut-Off and Activation Dates: The date you want your utilities shut off at the old spot and the date you want utilities turned on at your new home.
  • If you’re a homeowner transferring utilities when moving to a new home, we suggest scheduling your shut-off for the day you plan to close the sale. Be sure to check your sale agreement – it may require you to keep utilities on for a specific amount of time.
  • If you’re here to learn how to transfer utilities when renting, schedule your utilities to be shut off on the last day of moving out. 
  • PRO TIP: In both cases, we suggest setting your service activation date at the new address for the day you plan to start moving in –  you’ll be stoked to have water, HVAC, and electric services turned on while unloading the moving truck!

If you’re switching from any of your old providers to new, local, or preferred utility service companies, you’ll want to request a cancellation of utilities after a move rather than a transfer of services. Then, you’ll contact the new utility company and request the activation of services, scheduling an installation as needed.

For example, suppose you’re canceling your contract with a security system provider at the old house and want to switch to a new security company. In this situation, I suggest you call the new security company and activate services at the new address as soon as you finish canceling your services with the old security system providers before you move on to the next company on your utilities checklist.

5. Setup Water and Sewer Through the City or County

Your water and sewer services will typically be set up through the city or county where you’re moving to. You’ll need to get access to city water or a well, most commonly via a water meter. 

Sewer services could be either a municipal sewer system or a septic system. The city or county sewer department can explain the local process of activating sewer services. 

When you contact these providers, ensure you have the following documents:

• Proof of Identity (Drivers License, State-Issued ID Card, or Passport)
• Proof of Resident (Lease or Mortgage)
• Completed Service Application (If Necessary)

6. Pay Any Balances and Return Equipment

Whether you’re logged into your online payment portal or crossing off your list of utilities over the phone, take note of any outstanding balances and pay them right away. 

Another great reason to start this process weeks, if not months, in advance is to give yourself enough time to pay, having to drop one lump of the money right when you move into the new place. 

Overdue bills and outstanding balances can have a negative impact on your credit. Don’t forget to turn in any rented equipment like modems and cables to your internet service provider, or they’ll hit you with all kinds of additional charges.

These days, more and more utility service providers have online portals you can use to check your balance and settle up, but if you’re doing this over the phone, then it’s as easy as simply asking whether or not you have an outstanding balance. Be sure to check for a final bill even after you’ve moved and transferred utilities – we’ll talk more about final meter readings in the next section. 

And while you’re calling to learn how to move utilities from one address to the other, be sure to ask about a letter for waiving the deposit, even if you’re switching utility companies: 

• The new company may waive your deposit if you provide a letter of credit from your previous utility company. 
• The letter of credit must show that you paid your bills on time and had no disconnects or non-sufficient fund payments.

7. Schedule a Final Meter Readings (If Applicable)

Utility providers like electric, gas, and water might require a final meter reading at your old spot before they close or transfer utilities accounts.

• You want to schedule your final meter reading on your scheduled moving day, the last day you’ll be using power, just before it gets cut off. 
• That way, your final balance is clear and accounted for. 
• Keep a copy of the final meter reading attached to your utilities checklist, just in case there are any service provider questions or billing errors when turning them on at the new address. 

8. Confirm Utility Transfer Start Dates

If you’ve followed our guide thus far, you’ve likely contacted all the providers of your utility services in advance by at least a few weeks. We suggest you confirm with each of your providers that your utilities will be deactivated on time a day or two before the big move to avoid paying for utilities you’re not going to use. 

And, whether you’re transferring utilities to a new address or closing one account and opening another, we also recommend confirming your activation dates at the same time, to avoid moving into a cold, dark house with no water. 

9. Update Billing Information and Automatic Payments

Be sure to update all your contact information once you’re all moved into the new pad. This entails ensuring your current providers have your contact information. We also suggest updating any automatic payments you have set up. 

If you transfer utilities from one address to another, this can be as simple as updating your address on your online portal for both your utility company and your bank. If you opened an account with a new service provider, this step means setting up automatic payments for your new utility service.

10. Follow Up After Your Move

We also suggest a quick follow-up with your previous utility providers to confirm that all your utilities at your old residence were either transferred or canceled. 

Step 9 is also a chance to ensure all your previous service companies have your new and current contact info for any final billing.

11. Conduct an Energy Audit In Your New Home

Ok, so you’re all moved in, your new utilities are up and running, your auto payments are all updated, and you’ve confirmed that all services at the old place have been terminated. The last step in our lesson on how to transfer utilities is to conduct an energy audit in your new home. 

You can either bring in a pro to inspect your new house for opportunities to save energy, or you can conduct the energy audit yourself following guides online. Regardless, a thorough energy audit of the new pad can help you identify areas where you can improve your home to make it more efficient, which will cut down utility bills. 

The audit may suggest you optimize your insulation or seal your furnace ducts. The solutions will vary based on your specific home, but an energy audit will isolate any air leaks or breaks in your house’s seals that are causing heat transfer and hindering your new pad’s climate control

How SpareFoot Can Help You Save Money on Utility Costs

Moving can be expensive, leaving more than a few of us asking how much it costs to transfer utilities. 

While the price of transferring utilities varies depending on the service and whether or not there’s a deposit or transfer fee, following our SpareFoot Energy-Saving Checklist can reduce utility costs no matter who you are:

• Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
• Take Shorter Showers
• Use Natural Light
• Ensure Your Home Has Proper Insulation
• Shop Around for the Best Rates
• Wash Laundry in Cold Water
• Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
• Adjust Your Thermostat and Consider Using a Programmable Thermostat
• Air Drying Dishes
• Replace Your AC Air Filter Regularly
• Turn Lights and Fans off When Leaving Rooms

But you’re likely here planning ahead before you’ve started your moving process. You’ll have to first master our guide on how to transfer utilities before you’re moved in and cozy enough at the new place to apply these energy-saving techniques. 

Another way to cut costs is by taking advantage of SpareFoot’s high-value storage deals, like a free month of storage, especially if you can’t move directly into your apartment. Our listings let you filter your locally-based results based on promo deals. 

And if you hit any snags during your move-in, it’s worth throwing your valuables in storage. Even without a deal, you can often score a month’s worth of storage for the price of keeping that rental truck for one extra day.

Just punch your zip code into SpareFoot’s self-storage locator tool and refine your search to isolate storage facilities in your area that offer free storage for the first month! 

Regardless of the type of deals you find in your arena, you can filter your results by price and score a storage unit for a whole month for the price of keeping that rental truck for one extra day.

Michael Ta’Nous

Michael Ta’Nous is a full-time writer who works and lives with his wife in Taos, New Mexico. “Mikey” spent his early twenties living either out of a van as a touring musician or out of a backpack on motorcycle trips writing from cafes–these rigorous adventure years polished him into a master packer. In addition to managing storage units full of catering supplies and outdoor gear professionally, Michael has used storage units as a band rehearsal space and a motorcycle garage.