How to switch energy supplier if you’re a tenant

Understanding your right to switch

Comparing tariffs and switching energy suppliers is a practical way to manage your household bills. While homeowners clearly have the final say over their gas and electricity contracts, the rules can seem confusing when you live in rented accommodation. You might wonder if you need your landlord's permission, or if clauses in your tenancy agreement force you to stick with a specific company.

The rules are actually very clear. The right to choose an energy supplier comes down to one simple fact: who pays the bill. If you are responsible for paying the energy company, you are the customer, and you have the right to shop around. If the landlord pays the energy company and charges you later, they are the customer, and they make the choice. This guide explains how these rules work in practice, what your tenancy agreement means, and how to handle energy bills from the day you move in to the day you leave.^[1]

When you pay the supplier directly

In most private rentals, the tenant takes over the utility bills when they move in. If the gas and electricity bills arrive in your name, or the name of someone else you live with, you are directly responsible for the account. This means you hold the contract with the energy supplier.

Because you hold the contract, you have the absolute right to switch to a different tariff or move to a completely different supplier. You do not need to ask your landlord for permission to change your energy provider. You can use comparison sites, look for cheaper unit rates, or choose a supplier that offers better customer service. It makes no difference whether you rent the property or own it.

When you first move into a property, you are automatically placed on a 'deemed contract' with the supplier that the previous tenant or landlord used. Deemed contracts are usually standard variable tariffs, which are capped by Ofgem but rarely the cheapest option on the market. To take control of your bills, you should find out who supplies the property, give them an exact meter reading from your first day, and ask them to set up an account in your name. Once this is done, you are free to look around for a better deal.

When your rent includes energy bills

In some rental properties, such as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) or student accommodation, the landlord keeps the energy account in their own name. They pay the supplier directly and then pass the cost on to the tenants. This might be charged as a flat rate included in your monthly rent, or billed to you separately based on a sub-meter.

If your landlord is the account holder, you cannot switch the energy supplier. The landlord holds the contract, so only they can decide which company provides the gas and electricity. If you pay your landlord separately for energy, you have legal protections to ensure you are not overcharged.

If you pay your landlord separately for energy, Maximum Resale Price rules mean they cannot charge more than they paid for the energy you use, including your share of the standing charge and VAT. These rules do not apply in the same way where energy is included in your rent; in that case, the usual rules on rent and rent increases apply.

If you think your landlord is charging you too much for energy, you have the right to ask for a copy of the original supplier bills to check the rates. If they have overcharged you, you can ask for a refund, and as a last resort, you can take the matter to a small claims court. Ofgem is also actively reviewing the Maximum Resale Price rules throughout 2026 to make sure they still protect tenants properly, especially in properties with newer technology like electric vehicle chargers.

Comparing your energy rights

Your rights and responsibilities change entirely depending on whose name is on the bill. Here is a clear look at what you can and cannot do in each situation.

Dealing with tenancy agreement clauses

Many renters worry about switching because their tenancy agreement mentions a specific energy company. Letting agents and landlords often write a 'default supplier clause' into the contract. This clause names a preferred provider that the landlord uses between tenancies.

If you pay the energy bills directly, a default supplier clause cannot legally stop you from switching. Ofgem rules are clear that tenants have the statutory right to choose their provider. You do not have to stick with the landlord's preferred company while you live there.

However, you must read your contract carefully for a 'notice and return' clause. This type of clause says that you must return the property to the landlord's preferred supplier at the end of your tenancy. This is perfectly legal. It means you are free to switch to a cheaper deal while you live in the property, but you must switch back to the original supplier before you hand the keys back.

This creates a practical trade-off. If you choose a fixed-term energy tariff with your new supplier, it might come with an exit fee. If you have to switch back to the landlord's supplier before your fixed term ends, you may have to pay that exit fee. Always check the terms of your tenancy agreement and weigh up the savings of a new tariff against any potential costs of switching back.

Even though you do not need permission to switch, it is always a good idea to tell your landlord or letting agent when you change supplier. This keeps communication open and makes the handover much smoother when you eventually move out.

Smart meters and prepayment meters

Changing the type of meter in a rented property used to be a complex and expensive process. Today, the situation is much simpler. If you are the account holder and pay the energy bills directly, you have the right to request a smart meter. Energy suppliers typically install smart meters for free, as part of a national upgrade programme.

Ofgem states that you can choose to get a smart meter if you pay the bills. You should inform your landlord before the installation takes place, but official guidance says landlords should not unreasonably refuse the upgrade. Smart meters send automatic readings to your supplier, which stops estimated bills and ensures you only pay for what you use.

If you move into a property with a prepayment meter (where you top up with a key or card), you might want to switch to a standard credit meter (where you pay monthly). Because modern smart meters can be switched between prepayment and credit modes remotely, this change can often be done over the phone without needing an engineer to visit. If the property still has an older prepayment meter, the supplier will usually upgrade it to a smart meter for free to allow you to pay monthly. You will need to pass a basic credit check to move to a monthly payment plan.^[1]

Government support and energy efficiency

Tenants have access to several support schemes to help with energy costs, provided they meet the qualifying criteria. Your right to claim these depends on how you pay your bills and what changes need to be made to the property.

If you pay your energy supplier directly and receive certain benefits, you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount. This offers a £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill during the winter. Because the discount is applied directly to the energy account, you can only receive it if your name is on the bill. If your landlord pays the bill, you cannot claim the discount directly through the supplier.^[1]

For properties that are hard to heat, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme requires large suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation or heat pumps, for low-income households. The current ECO4 scheme runs until 31 December 2026. While tenants can qualify for this funding based on their own income or benefits, there is a strict condition: any physical changes to the building require the landlord's explicit, written permission. A tenant cannot authorise insulation or heating upgrades without the property owner's consent.

In the past, some properties had 'Green Deal' finance attached to the electricity meter to pay for home improvements. The government closed this scheme to new funding years ago, so it is very rare to find a property that still carries this type of debt. If you do encounter a legacy charge attached to the meter, speak to your supplier to understand how it affects your bill.^[2]

How to switch as a tenant

If you pay the bills and want to find a better deal, the process of switching is exactly the same for a renter as it is for a homeowner. The switch happens remotely, so there is no interruption to your gas or electricity supply, and nobody needs to visit your home.

Once you apply, you get a 14-day cooling-off period where you can cancel the switch without any penalty. Your new supplier will ask you for a final meter reading just before the switch completes. They share this reading with your old supplier, who uses it to generate your final bill, ensuring you are not charged twice for the same energy.