How To Get Electricity Turned On In An Apartment

Moving house is stressful, you have to organise removalists, update your details and ensure you've got power ready the moment you walk through the doors of your new home.

Despite what may be your best efforts to avoid your energy company most of the time, you will have to get in contact when you move properties. Fortunately, electricity and gas retailers have generally made this a simple and hassle-free process. Here's how to get power and gas set up at your new home.

Connecting electricity to a new house

Light Switch Being Flicked

All you need to do to organise an electricity connection is call your retailer or visit its website. Your electricity retailer will need your address and connection date but can take care of the rest from there. Most major energy providers can set up your connection within just three business days. See below if you need your connection sooner. If the house is already connected and you just need to transfer your electricity account to the property, this can usually be done in one day.

If you're sticking with the same electricity retailer, your contract will typically carry over to your new premise, though you may also be offered a new, perhaps better, deal. If you live in Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria, check whether you're moving to another distribution network. If you are, then your current electricity contract cannot be carried over with you when you move.

Electricity moving fees:

When you move house, the electricity distributor may charge you a connection and/or disconnection fee ranging between $10 and $100. As this is a distribution charge, the size of the fee will depend on location, not your choice of electricity retailer. There are usually no fees if the house is already connected and you just need to transfer your account.

Also keep in mind that if you have an existing electricity plan and you switch to another retailer, you may incur an early exit fee. Fortunately, most electricity plans these days don't include exit fees.

Cheap Energy Deals

Here are some of the cheapest electricity plans currently on our database. Be sure to click on your state to get an idea of what you can expect to pay from each retailer.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer's website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer's website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer's website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Here are some of the cheapest published deals from the retailers on our database that include a link to the retailer's website for further details. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.

Energy Plans for Renters

While you'll be able to take your existing energy retailer with you when you move home, you could also take the opportunity to find a better deal. Or, if you're moving into your own place for the first time, you'll need to add this to your list of things to do. Renters will be able to pick from the same range of electricity and gas plans as their neighbour who owns their property, but some retailers, namely Lumo Energy, market specific plans at those who rent their home.

Lumo Energy 'Movers' Plan

The Movers plan from Lumo Energy is available in Victoria and South Australia. Its main feature is that it waives connection and disconnection fees, otherwise it's fairly similar to other Lumo Energy plans. It also comes with a discount off electricity usage and supply charges for paying on time. So, how much will this plan cost you? Keep reading to find out.

Lumo Movers VIC

Here is the Lumo Movers plan on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. Plans are listed in order of lowest price first. See here for further information on the VDO, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff, meaning that the VDO is $1,336/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. These are products from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Lumo Movers SA

Here is the Lumo Movers plan on our database for South Australia. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. See here for further information on the AER Reference Price, which in this comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff, meaning that the Reference Price is $1,716/year. Use our comparison tool for a specific comparison. This is a product from a referral partner†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Connecting gas to a new house

Connecting Gas Range

The process to connect natural gas to a new property is similar to electricity. Simply call or visit the website of your natural gas retailer (who may be the same as your electricity retailer), give them the new address as well as the connection date and they can handle the rest.

Connecting gas is a little trickier however, and retailers will often require 3-5 days to set up a new connection – longer if you need a new meter. Of course, you need to check whether you even have access to natural gas at the new property to begin with. If the house is on a mains gas network but doesn't already have the necessary piping to setup a connection, then weigh up the pros and cons before spending possibly thousands of dollars to connect to gas.

Gas moving fees:

Natural gas connection fees are between $10 and $50, but possibly more if any work needs to be done to the residency's gas infrastructure. Once again, this is a distributor charge meaning you can't avoid it by switching gas retailers. Certain retailer contracts may also include an exit fee.

What if I want to switch energy retailers when I move?

Utilities Bill Calculations

Moving house is a great excuse to buy new furniture. It's also the perfect opportunity to switch electricity or gas providers. Switching energy retailers when moving is very straightforward, simply contact your current retailer and inform them you'd like to close your account on a particular date. You will continue to receive electricity and/or gas services until the designated date. If you're moving from a rental property, you don't need to disconnect the energy supply. Usually the retailer will automatically transfer the property back to the energy account of the real estate or landlord.

After that, call up the new retailer with a valid ID at the ready and sign the new property up, commencing from the date you move in. If you're lucky, it may already be connected and there will be no additional fees. Make sure you've done your research before calling the new retailer so you know which tariff and plan best matches your needs.

Keep in mind, your new energy provider may wish to do a credit check before signing you up.

You can check your credit score for free here

Does it matter I'm renting?

The short answer is no. If you're moving into a rental property, the property will probably already be connected to the electricity grid or mains gas network. All you need to do is call up your retailer to setup an account. You may need to get the permission of the landlord or real estate however if the property is not yet connected or the property requires a meter or infrastructure upgrade.

I urgently need a connection. What do I do?

If you're moving today or tomorrow, but have forgotten to organise your electricity or gas connection, then immediately call your provider and ask for an urgent connection. Major retailers have a 13-hundred number you can contact to book a connection as soon as possible. Urgent connections usually incur additional fees, so try not leave your energy connections to the last minute.

Will I have electricity when I move in?

If you've given your energy company sufficient time organise a connection, then you can expect the lights to work the moment you walk through the door. Some retailers like EnergyAustralia will even compensate you if they've failed to connect your property in the time promised.

If you are moving into a rental property, then the house will most likely already be connected. All you need to do is transfer or setup an energy account.

Moving House Energy Checklist

Here is a handy little checklist to make sure you've got everything covered before you move.

Check your current electricity deal for any exit fees. This can be found on the Energy Price Fact Sheet
Compare energy providers to make sure your energy company is giving you the best deal.
If you're staying with the same retailer, call to inform them you're moving properties. Ask if the new property has a connection or whether you need to pay for a new connection.
If you're changing retailer, contact your current provider and organise a date to close your account. Then call your new retailer and ask to setup an account, commencing from the date of you move in. Again ask if a new electricity connection is needed.
Consider whether you need to disconnect the property. You should disconnect the property to avoid supply charges if you're only moving out temporarily or you're the homeowner and don't intend anyone to use the property for some time.

Have more questions about moving?

If you have any concerns or queries about moving house, then immediately contact your electricity or gas company – they're often friendlier and more helpful than they're given credit for. If you'd like to know more about switching energy companies, check out our article on debunking some of the biggest energy switching myths.

To start comparing energy providers, visit our customer satisfaction ratings. If you're after the cheapest deal on electricity, be sure to try out our price comparison tool using the link below.