Can I Switch Energy Supplier If I’m Renting? UK Tenants’ Guide 2026

Yes, if you are renting in the UK, you can switch energy supplier — and in most cases, you do not need your landlord’s permission to do so. Under Ofgem regulations, the person who pays the energy bill has the right to choose their supplier. If your name is on the gas and electricity account and you pay the bills directly, you are treated exactly the same as a homeowner when it comes to switching.

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of renting in the UK. Many tenants assume they are locked into whatever energy supplier their landlord chose, or that switching requires written consent. In the vast majority of cases, neither is true.

The key question is simple: who pays the energy bills? If you pay the supplier directly (your name is on the account), you have the full right to switch. If your landlord pays the bills and includes energy costs in your rent, the situation is different — and we will cover that below.

Your right to switch is protected under the Gas Act 1986 and the Electricity Act 1989, which establish that the bill payer — not the property owner — has the right to choose their energy supplier. Ofgem, the energy regulator, enforces these rights and has clear guidance stating that landlords cannot prevent tenants from switching suppliers.

If you are on a standard variable tariff (SVT) with your current supplier, you could be overpaying by hundreds of pounds a year. Switching to a competitive fixed deal could save you £200–£350 annually, depending on your usage. Use our savings calculator to check your potential savings.

While tenants generally have the right to switch, there are a few specific situations where you may need your landlord’s involvement or consent.

Communal or district heating

If your property is connected to a communal heating system (common in some blocks of flats), the heating is managed centrally by the landlord or building management company. In this case, you cannot switch the heating supply individually because the entire building is served by a single system. You can still switch your electricity supplier if you have a separate electricity meter.

Energy included in rent

If your tenancy agreement states that energy costs are included in your rent, the landlord is the bill payer and has the contractual relationship with the energy supplier. You cannot switch in this scenario because you do not have an account in your name. However, you can ask your landlord to review their energy deal — and if they are overpaying, it benefits both of you.

Fixed supply contracts in the tenancy

Some tenancy agreements contain a clause specifying that the tenant must use a particular energy supplier. While these clauses are rare and their enforceability is debatable (since your right to switch is protected by statute), it is sensible to discuss the matter with your landlord before switching if such a clause exists. In practice, most landlords will not object once you explain that switching saves money and does not affect the property.

Prepayment meters

If the property has a prepayment meter, you can still switch supplier. However, if you want to change from a prepayment meter to a credit meter (which is a physical change to the property), you should get your landlord’s agreement first. A like-for-like swap (prepayment to prepayment with a different supplier) does not require permission.

Based on Ofgem guidance and standard tenancy practice as of July 2026.

Smart meters are a common concern for tenants considering a switch. The good news is that you have the right to request a smart meter installation in your rented property, and your landlord cannot refuse it.

Under the government’s smart meter rollout programme, energy suppliers are required to offer smart meters to all customers. This right applies to tenants just as much as homeowners. A smart meter installation is classified as a like-for-like upgrade (replacing one meter with another), not a modification to the property.

Key points about smart meters when renting

• Installation is free. Your energy supplier covers all costs, including the meter itself and the engineer visit.
• The meter stays with the property. When you move out, the smart meter remains installed. The next tenant (or the landlord) benefits from it.
• No damage to the property. Smart meters are installed in the same location as the existing meter. There is no structural work involved.
• SMETS2 meters work with all suppliers. If you have a second-generation smart meter (SMETS2) installed, it will continue to function as a smart meter even if the next occupant switches to a different supplier. Older SMETS1 meters may lose smart functionality on a switch but still work as standard meters.
• Good practice to inform your landlord. While not legally required, letting your landlord know about a smart meter installation is courteous and avoids any surprises during property inspections.

If your landlord objects to a smart meter, remind them that Ofgem’s position is clear: the bill payer has the right to a smart meter. The landlord cannot withhold consent for a like-for-like meter upgrade. For more details on smart meters, see our complete smart meters guide.

Switching energy supplier as a tenant follows the same process as switching for anyone else. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough.

Step 1: Check your current deal

Find out which tariff you are on and how much you are paying. Your latest energy bill or online account will show your tariff name, unit rates, standing charges and annual usage in kWh. If you have just moved in and inherited the previous tenant’s supplier, you are likely on an expensive deemed tariff — switching could save you significantly.

Step 2: Compare available deals

Use an Ofgem-accredited comparison tool or contact us for a free bill audit. Enter your postcode and annual usage to see all available tariffs in your area. Pay attention to the difference between fixed and variable deals — our fixed vs variable guide explains the pros and cons of each.

Step 3: Sign up with the new supplier

Once you have found a better deal, sign up online. You will need your name, address, current supplier, and a recent meter reading. The process takes about 10 minutes. You do not need to provide your landlord’s name or get their approval during sign-up.

Step 4: Your new supplier handles the rest

Your new supplier contacts your old one and arranges the transfer. You do not need to cancel your existing contract separately. The switch typically completes within 5 working days with a smart meter, or up to 21 days with a traditional meter.

Step 5: Take a meter reading on switch day

On the day of your switch, take a meter reading and submit it to both your old and new suppliers. This ensures your final bill from the old supplier and your opening bill from the new supplier are accurate.

For the full step-by-step process with more detail, see our complete guide to switching energy provider.

If your energy bills are included in your monthly rent, the situation is different. In this arrangement, your landlord is the energy customer — their name is on the account and they pay the supplier. You pay your landlord a fixed amount as part of your rent to cover energy costs.

Can you switch in this case?

No, you cannot switch energy supplier yourself because you do not have a direct relationship with the energy company. However, you can take the following steps:

• Ask your landlord to review their deal. Many landlords are on the standard variable tariff and paying more than they need to. If they switch to a better deal, the savings could be passed on to you through lower rent or a smaller energy contribution.
• Request a separate energy account. You can ask your landlord to set up the energy bills in your name instead. This gives you full control over the supplier choice and the tariff. Some landlords are happy with this arrangement because it removes the hassle of managing energy bills.
• Check the fairness of your charges. If you feel the energy portion of your rent is unreasonably high, you can ask your landlord for evidence of actual energy costs (bills, statements). Under consumer protection rules, landlords should not profit from reselling energy to tenants — they can only pass on the actual cost.

Resale of energy by landlords

Some landlords, particularly in HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), buy energy at a domestic tariff and then charge tenants individually. Ofgem rules state that landlords who resell energy must not charge tenants more than the maximum resale price, which is based on the unit rate and standing charge of the landlord’s own tariff. If you believe you are being overcharged, contact Citizens Advice for free support.

Even though tenants have a clear legal right to switch, some landlords object. Here are the most common objections and how to respond to them.

“It’s in your tenancy agreement that you can’t switch”

While some tenancy agreements include clauses about energy suppliers, your statutory right to choose your supplier overrides any contractual clause. The Gas Act and Electricity Act give the bill payer the right to switch, and a tenancy agreement cannot remove a statutory right. That said, it is usually better to have a conversation with your landlord rather than simply switching without discussion.

“I don’t want a smart meter installed”

Your landlord cannot prevent a smart meter installation. Ofgem and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have confirmed that the bill payer has the right to a smart meter. The meter is a like-for-like replacement and does not constitute a modification to the property. If your landlord pushes back, you can direct them to Ofgem’s guidance on smart meters in rented properties.

“You might leave me with a bad contract”

This is a legitimate concern. If you switch to a fixed-rate tariff with an exit fee and then move out before the contract ends, the next tenant (or the landlord) could inherit a contract with penalties. The solution is simple: switch to a tariff with no exit fees, or notify your supplier and close the account when you move out. The next occupant will then be placed on a deemed contract and can choose their own supplier.

“The previous tenant’s supplier is fine”

When you move into a new rental, you inherit the previous tenant’s supplier on a deemed tariff — which is almost always the most expensive option. You are not obligated to stay with this supplier. Switch as soon as you have taken meter readings on your move-in date. Our switching guide walks you through the process.