Moving business premises
Are you relocating your business premises?
Moving out
When you move out take a final meter reading and provide us with your new business address so we can send you your final bill.
Your meter reading is important
A final meter reading will allow us to:
- Calculate an accurate final bill
- Give you a refund if you're in credit
Before you move out of business premises
What do I need to do when I am moving out of my business premises?
A: Call us the day after you move out. We'll need your:
- Final meter reading
- Forwarding or correspondence address
- New occupier name, phone number and email address
Why do you need my meter readings?
A: We'll use your meter reading to calculate an accurate bill. This means we can charge you for the energy you've used.
Remember to always get a meter reading when you move in or move out of a business property.
Why have you asked for the contact details of the incoming occupier or landlord?
A: We need to know who's legally responsible for the energy supply at the premises so we can contact them. If you're selling a property, ask your solicitor for the new owner's details.
Where can I find my meter number?
A: Please see What’s my MPAN and MPRN?
How do I read my business energy meter?
A: Please see How to read your meter
If you've got a smart meter take a look at:
Why am I still being billed for premises I've left?
A: We'll bill you from the date we‘ve been informed that you're legally responsible for paying for the business electricity and/or business gas at the business premises.
The previous occupier could have given us incorrect or incomplete details.
Are there any penalties or charges for moving business premises?
A: There are no fees or penalties to pay us if you're moving business premises and want to stay with British Gas business before and after you move.
If you aren't staying with us please read I want to leave British Gas business
When will I receive my final bill in the post?
A: After you call us about your move and we’ll update our records and you'll receive a final bill in the post in 10 working days.
If you have an online account you'll be able to see your final bill online in 3 working days.
How do I pay my final bill?
A: Once you call to tell us your final or closing meter reading, we'll calculate your final bill. We’ll also send the bill to you in the post. If you pay by Direct Debit, we’ll also cancel that.
If you have an outstanding balance you’ll need to pay this. If you call us about your move you can pay with a credit or debit card over the phone. We'll give you an authorisation code for the payment.
What if I'm in credit and need a refund?
A: Once we calculate your final bill, if we find you're in credit, you'll need to send us your:
- New forwarding address
- Phone number
so you can get a credit refund.
I'm a broker and my client's moving out, what do I need to do?
What if my old property had a smart meter and new one doesn’t?
A: When you move out please take a final meter reading from the smart meter in your old business premises.
To help read your smart meter take a look at:
If your new business premises doesn’t have a smart meter you can request one.
Does the smart meter at my old business premises send a reading or do you do that? Is there a process?
A: If you're receiving bills with accurate meter readings then we know your smart meter is sending signals to us successfully. We can pull a read from the smart meter.
We still advise you to take a final meter reading when you move out. This will help in case there are any disputes with the new occupier.
Can I keep the same account number when I move business premises?
A: Sorry, you won’t be able to keep the same account number when you move business address. We’ll need to create a brand new account that relates to the new meter at your new business premises.
Can I keep the same log in details to my British Gas online account?
A: Yes. You can keep the same log in details and access your account anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All your bills and account history will be saved in your online account, even if you leave us.
If you come back to us and start a new contract, please call us and we can merge both premises. You’ll be able to access details for both premises in your online account.
What should I do if I’m not moving into a new business premises?
A: Until there are new owners of the business property you’re responsible for paying for the business energy bills.
Once you have the name, address and contact details of the new occupier, please call us and we’ll update your records
Would you like to contact us before you move out?
A: Moving out of your current business premises?
Call us on the day after you move out with your:
- Account number & meter details from your bill
- Closing meter reading
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Moving in
When you move into new business premises, the existing energy supplier to that property will put you on a deemed rate. Save money by calling us for a fixed price energy plan for your business electricity or gas supply.
After you've moved
Call the energy suppliers at both your new and old business premises with the important details of:
Your meter reading(s) and your contact address
Conduct a gas safety inspection
Every employer has a legal obligation to maintain workplace gas appliances – we can help with gas safety.
Upgrading your boiler
You could lower your energy bills with a new, A-rated energy-efficient boiler specified to meet your business needs.
Service and maintenance
Take out Business Care and trust our service and maintenance team to help keep your business running smoothly.
Manage your account online
Using an online account is the easy way to stay on top of your business energy, while paying by Direct Debit can save you money.
Avoid estimated bills
Get into the habit of submitting regular meter readings to make sure you only pay for the energy you’ve actually used.
Business smart meter
You can use our online form to request to upgrade to a smart meter.
After you move into new business premises
How do I find out who supplies energy to my new business premises?
A: The easiest way may be to ask the landlord or the previous owner or tenant. A recent bill could help identify who your energy supplier is.
Business electricity supplier
To find out who supplies your electricity, you should contact your local electricity distribution company.
You can also use the Energy Networks Association postcode search tool.
Business gas supplier
Call the Meter Point Administration Service to get details of your gas supplier.
You can also call them if you need your Meter Point Reference Number, or MPRN.
Meter Point Administration Service
0870 608 1524
How do I get a quote for my new business premises?
A: If you're an existing customer, and have moved into new business premises and are looking for a quote call us with your:
- Move in date
- Opening meter reading
- Business name, address and phone number
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
My new business premises are already supplied with electricity as my landlord supplies it. How can I get a quote for just electricity?
A: We can provide you with a quote for one or both business electricity and gas.
What do I need to do when I move into new business premises?
A: Call us when you move into new business premises. We'll need your:
- Move in date
- Opening meter reading
- Business name, address and phone number
When do I need to tell you I’m moving into new business premises?
A: Please call us on the day after you move in as we can only process your move once you’re moved in.
How can I change the correspondence address for my business?
A: If you're an existing customer, have moved into new business premises please call us to tell us your new correspondence address
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Why do you need my meter readings?
A: We'll use your meter reading to calculate an accurate bill.
Remember to always get a meter reading when you move in or move out of a business property.
How do I read my business energy meter?
A: Please see how to read your meter
If you've got a smart meter take a look at:
Why do you need my name on the account? I may not keep British Gas as my business energy supplier.
A: We need to know who's legally responsible for paying for the business energy bills on any given date.
For example if you’re a landlord and your tenant has moved out of the business premises, you’ll be responsible for paying for any business energy bills, until you get a new tenant or switch supplier.
When you move into new premises that we supply, if you haven't agreed a contract with us, you'll automatically go on a deemed contract with our deemed rates
Save money by calling us for a Fixed Price Energy Plan for your business electricity or gas supply. Depending on your needs there are a variety of plan lengths available.
Why am I still being billed for business premises I’ve left?
A: This is because your account is still open at those premises. We can only close the account after you've told us you're no longer legally responsible for the premises. Please contact us to close the account with the new occupier details.
I'm a homeowner. How do I change my energy account from business rates to residential ones?
A: If you've moved into premises that are charged on business rates, you'll need to call us so we can make the account a residential one.
I'm a broker and my client’s moving into new business premises, what do I need to do?
What if my new business premises doesn't have a smart meter, can I request one?
Do I need to give a meter reading if my new meter is smart?
A: If you're receiving bills with accurate meter readings then your smart meter is sending signals to us successfully. We can pull a read from the smart meter.
If your bill shows estimated meter readings then you'll need to contact us with a meter reading.
Despite having a smart meter, our advice is always take an opening meter reading when you move in.
I've got more than one business, can I merge my energy accounts for both business premises in one online account?
A: If you're an existing customer and have more than one business account with us please call us to merge your sites in one online account with one log in.
I am moving into additional business premises, how do I add a new energy account to my existing contract?
A: First find out who supplies the business electricity and/or gas to the additional site, by visiting the Energy Networks Association (ENA) website.
If you’re an existing customer and would like to get a quote for an additional business premise please call us.
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
How can I check the gas safety certificate for the new business premises?
A: It's the landlord’s responsibility to ensure there is a valid gas safety certificate for the business property. See our Business Care with gas safety check.
Would you like to contact us after you move in?
A: Moving into new premises?
Call us after you move into your new business premises with your:
- Move in date
- Opening meter reading
- Business name, address and phone number
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
* Call charges may apply