How to sort out your energy bills and council tax when moving house

Moving house is a process that takes a lot of time and effort preparing for. It can be a stressful task to undergo, especially when sorting out your energy bills and council tax.

With household bills and council tax rising for homeowners across the UK amid the cost of living crisis, it's important to know what to do with them ahead of moving house, to avoid any unwanted charges.

Moving experts at Lovespace have provided their top tips to help those who are moving homes to sort out their energy bills and council tax to allow for a smooth and hassle-free transition.

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According to the experts there are four important steps you should take between leaving a property and moving into a new one, such as taking meter readings, communicating with suppliers and researching the correct tariffs.

Failing to complete these processes properly can land homeowners in hot water with possible financial penalties, which is the last thing that homeowners will want to face in the current climate.

Contact your current energy provider

Before leaving your current home, it is advised to call your current energy provider in good time to allow for a smooth process.

"Inform the company that you will be leaving and provide them with the new home address. This will provide them with a place to send a final bill," said a spokesperson for Lovespace.

"This bill should detail if there are any outstanding payments to be made or if your account is in credit. Every provider will have a different process at this stage. For example, if you are on a fixed tariff there may be an exit fee to pay.

"Some providers may even allow you to take the same tariff to