Northern Ireland electricity guide
Moving House in NI: Electricity Steps That Prevent Wrong Bills
Published on 19 June 2026 by Wee Switch NI Team. Last reviewed 19 June 2026.
A practical Northern Ireland moving-home electricity checklist covering final readings, opening readings, MPRNs, keypad details and supplier handover.
Moving home is one of the easiest times for electricity billing to go wrong. A missing final reading, an old account left open, or a new account opened with the wrong meter details can leave you chasing refunds or paying for energy used by someone else.
If you do not know who currently supplies the property, do not guess. Open the account with the existing supplier first or use the network tools to identify the supply before arranging a switch.
If the property has a keypad meter, top-up credit and old account details can create confusion at handover. Ask the supplier how to register the new occupant, whether a new keypad card is needed, and what happens to any balance left by the previous occupant.
Once the new account is set up correctly, compare tariffs using the new property's payment method and likely annual usage. A smaller or larger home, storage heating, working-from-home pattern, EV charging or a different meter type can make old usage figures misleading.
Before you hand back keys, close the old account with a final reading and forwarding address. When you move in, register the new account with an opening reading, MPRN or KPRN, and the correct supplier. Then compare tariffs once the new supply details are settled.
Tell the old supplier before you leave
Open the new account with the right details
Find the MPRN or supplier if paperwork is missing
Watch keypad and credit balances
Compare tariffs after the account is clean
How this guide is reviewed
This guide is reviewed for Northern Ireland relevance, current supplier status, and tariff-sensitive claims. Tariff figures should be checked against the latest Consumer Council NI source before publication.