At a glance · UK utility name change in 2026
£0
to update an existing energy or water account
5-10
working days for most suppliers to process
2
people must consent: outgoing and incoming holder
£82
to register a Lasting Power of Attorney with the OPG
Figures verified against UK supplier customer-service pages and gov.uk (May 2026). The MPAN is the unique number that ties an electricity account to a specific meter; you can find it on any bill.
When do you need to change the name on a utility bill?
You need to change the name on a utility bill whenever the person legally responsible for paying the account changes. This covers marriage, divorce, moving into a rented property, taking over from a landlord, bereavement, or simply adding a partner to a joint household account. Keeping the name accurate is important because the named account holder is the one legally liable for any unpaid balance.
Updating your supplier as soon as your situation changes avoids billing errors, missed correspondence and, in the worst case, chasing letters sent to the wrong person. Here are the most common situations where a name change is required:
- Legal name change. After a marriage, civil partnership, divorce or deed poll, your supplier must be updated to match your official documents.
- Moving into a rented home. The bill moves from the landlord (or previous tenant) into your name on the day you get the keys.
- Landlord between tenancies. Landlords take the account back into their name during void periods, then hand it to the new tenant.
- Joint homeowners. Couples often want both names on the bill so either partner can manage the account.
- Student house shares. Splitting bills fairly usually means putting every housemate on the account.
- Bereavement. A surviving relative takes over the deceased account holder's energy and water contracts.
- Elderly or vulnerable account holder. A family member or carer takes over financial management, often under a Lasting Power of Attorney.
How to change the name on your gas and electricity bill
Changing the name on your gas or electricity bill is a free process that takes a few minutes online or about 10 minutes on the phone. You'll need your account number, postcode, a recent meter reading and proof of identity for the new account holder. Most suppliers let you do it through your online account; a few still require a phone call, particularly when the account holder is changing entirely rather than just updating a surname.
We recommend updating the details online where possible: it avoids phone queues and gives you a written trail. If you're new to your supplier or have just switched, have a look at our energy comparison guide first to check you're on a competitive tariff before committing the new account holder.
Step-by-step: changing your name online
- Log in to your online account on the supplier's website or app.
- Open My Account or Personal Details.
- Click the edit icon next to your name and enter the new details.
- Upload any supporting document requested (marriage certificate, deed poll, tenancy agreement).
- Confirm and, if needed, update your Direct Debit so the bank account holder name matches.
Changing your name by phone
If your supplier doesn't support the change online, or if two people must give consent at the same time, call customer services directly. Both parties should be present on the call so oral consent can be recorded. Here are the main UK energy supplier customer service numbers:
| Supplier | Phone number | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| British Gas | 0330 100 0056 | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-2pm |
| EDF Energy | 0333 200 5100 | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm |
| E.ON Next | 0808 501 5200 | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm |
| Octopus Energy | 0808 164 1088 | Mon-Fri 9am-5pm |
| OVO Energy | 0330 303 5063 | Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-1pm |
| Scottish Power | 0800 027 0072 | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-6pm |
| SSE (now OVO) | 0345 070 7373 | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-2pm |
Customer service numbers verified against supplier websites. Hours may change during bank holidays.
How to change the name on a water bill
Changing the name on a water bill works the same way as for energy, but you must contact your regional water company. Household customers in England, Scotland and Wales cannot switch water supplier, so there's only one number to call. Most water companies accept the change through their online account portal; a few still ask for a short phone call to confirm the move-in date and occupancy.
Have your new address, move-in date and previous occupier's name ready when you get in touch. Your water company will open a new account under your name from the date you took occupancy and send a final bill to the previous occupier. If you're not sure who supplies your water, you can check on the Water UK supplier finder.
Other accounts to update at the same time
Energy and water are only two of the accounts tied to your name and address. The same life event that changes your utility bill, a move, marriage, divorce or bereavement, usually means several other accounts need the same update. The trap most people fall into is updating the obvious bills and forgetting the ones that quietly keep liability or correspondence under the old name. Work through this checklist alongside your gas, electricity and water accounts so nothing is missed.
Council tax
Tell your local council the moment you move in or your name changes. Council tax liability is tied to the named occupier, so an out-of-date name can leave the wrong person chased for the bill.
Broadband, TV and landline
Your provider needs the new account holder on record before a Direct Debit or contract transfer can go through. This also protects your credit file.
TV Licence
A TV Licence is registered to a person at an address. Update it online in minutes to keep the licence valid and avoid enforcement letters to the old name.
Banks and Direct Debits
Update your bank first: if the account holder name no longer matches the Direct Debit, utility payments can bounce and push the account into arrears.
DVLA and car insurance
Your driving licence, V5C logbook and motor insurance must all show your current legal name and address, or a claim can be refused.
Electoral roll and HMRC
Re-register to vote at your new address and tell HMRC of a legal name change so your tax record and any benefits stay correct.
Consent: can someone else put my name on a utility bill?
No. A utility bill can only be changed with the agreement of the current account holder. Suppliers will always ask for authorisation from both parties before making any change to an energy or water account. This protects you from fraud and from being made liable for a debt you didn't agree to. Authorisation usually takes one of three forms: oral consent, written consent, or a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Oral consent
Oral consent is the quickest route. Both the current and the incoming account holder call the supplier together, identify themselves, and confirm the change on a recorded line. Most suppliers complete the update within a single 10-minute call and send a confirmation email the same day.
Written consent and Letter of Authority
If oral consent isn't possible, for example when one party can't get on the phone, suppliers accept a Letter of Authority. This is a short document signed by both parties agreeing to the change, emailed to the supplier as a PDF or JPEG attachment. A standard Letter of Authority should include the account number, both full names, the effective date, and both signatures.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and energy bills
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you manage someone else's energy account when they no longer have the mental or physical capacity to do it themselves. For utility bills, you need a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Once registered, you can receive bills, submit meter readings, pay by Direct Debit and switch tariffs on behalf of the account holder.
The LPA must be signed, registered and the registration stamp visible. To inform the supplier, send a certified copy of the LPA (every page stamped by a solicitor or notary) along with proof of your own name and address. You can apply for or check an LPA on gov.uk.
Advantages
- Full legal authority to manage the energy account
- Can switch tariff and save money on behalf of the account holder
- Protects a vulnerable relative from missed payments
Disadvantages
- Takes up to 20 weeks to register with the OPG
- Registration fee of £82 per LPA
- Requires certified copies to satisfy most suppliers
Additional support with energy bills
If taking over a utility bill leaves you struggling to pay, there are several UK government schemes to help. The Warm Home Discount gives eligible households a £150 rebate each winter, while the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment are available for older or low-income households. You can check eligibility on gov.uk or speak to your supplier's priority services team.
If you suspect you're on an expensive tariff, it's worth running a quick comparison before committing to the new account name. See today's rates on our electricity prices page, check the paperless billing setup to keep the new account in your inbox, or read the Warm Home Discount explainer for help paying.
Frequently asked questions
Go further
Now that your name is on the account, make sure you're on the right tariff, understand your meter, and know where to turn for help. These guides cover the next steps most readers ask about.