Setting up a new home in the UK means arranging energy, water, broadband and a mobile phone. The tricky part for newcomers is that most contracts run a credit check, and you have no UK credit history yet, so it pays to start with options that do not need one. This guide walks through each service in the order that usually works best. It is general information, not financial advice.
Energy: gas and electricity
When you move into a property you are automatically placed on a “deemed contract” with whichever supplier serves it. You do not choose this, but you can switch later. On your first day, find the gas and electricity meters, take a photo of the readings, and contact the existing supplier to open an account in your name from your move-in date. This stops you being billed for the previous occupant’s usage.
Household energy prices are limited by the Ofgem price cap, which sets a maximum unit rate and standing charge for standard tariffs. Once you are settled you can compare tariffs and switch supplier, usually for free.
Water
Unlike energy, you cannot choose your water supplier. It is a regional monopoly, so you contact the water company that covers your area, tell them you have moved in, and set up an account. Some homes are metered and some pay a fixed charge based on the property’s rateable value.
Mobile phone (SIM)
A phone contract that includes a handset almost always needs a credit check, which is hard to pass without UK credit history. The newcomer-friendly route is a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) or SIM-only plan, which needs no credit check and no long commitment. You buy a SIM, top it up or pay monthly, and get a UK number straight away. After a few months of UK bills you can move to a contract if you want a subsidised handset.
| Option | Credit check? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go SIM | No | Arriving with no UK history, low use |
| SIM-only monthly (30-day) | Sometimes soft check | Regular use, flexibility |
| Handset contract (12 to 24 months) | Yes, hard check | Later, once you have credit history |
Broadband and home internet
Home broadband is normally a 12 to 24 month contract with a credit check. If you cannot pass one yet, look at social tariffs, which are cheaper broadband packages for people on certain benefits, or shorter rolling contracts. Providers can take a couple of weeks to install a line, so order early.
TV Licence
You need a TV Licence to watch or record live television on any channel or to use BBC iPlayer. It is a legal requirement, and enforcement is real. A standard TV Licence costs £180 a year, payable annually or by monthly instalments. If you only watch on-demand services other than BBC iPlayer, you may not need one, but check the rules first.
Building a UK credit history
Many of these services get easier once you have a credit footprint. You can build one by opening a UK bank account, paying bills on time, and registering on the electoral roll if you are eligible to vote. Our money and banking guide explains how to open an account with limited paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to choose an energy supplier when I move in?
No. You inherit a deemed contract with the existing supplier automatically. Just give them a meter reading and open an account in your name, then switch later if you want a better tariff.
Can I get a phone without a UK credit history?
Yes. A pay-as-you-go or SIM-only plan needs no credit check and gives you a UK number immediately. Handset contracts are the ones that require credit history.
Can I choose my water company?
No. Water is supplied by a regional monopoly, so you use the company that covers your area.
Do I need a TV Licence?
You need one to watch live TV on any channel or to use BBC iPlayer. It costs £180 a year. Watching only other on-demand services may not require one.
Setting up your home is one part of arriving. See our first 30 days settling-in guide for the full checklist, and read about Council Tax, which you also arrange on move-in.
