When you move, there are some things you need to organize – electricity is one of them. You will need to set up your own electricity contract, as electricity is not covered by ancillary expenses. In this guide, we take you through when you should register for electricity, how the registration process works and what information you will need.
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Yes, you need to register for electricity yourself when you move. Electricity is not covered by ancillary expenses and you are therefore not automatically billed for it through your landlord. Instead, you must take out your own electricity contract with a supplier of your choosing.
There are different arrangements for ancillary costs such as water or heating. The costs of these are often covered by ancillary expenses. This is not the case for household electricity. Although the landlord provides the electricity connection in the apartment, they do not take out a contract for your personal electricity consumption.
For you this means that:
This applies whether you are moving into your first home or moving to a new rental apartment.
Ideally, you should register for electricity a few days before moving. This gives you enough time to choose the tariff that’s right for you and take out the contract in good time. However, you can still register at short notice. In this case, it’s important to make a note of the meter reading as soon as you move in and sort out the contract quickly.
Tip: You can find more tips on organizing your move in our Moving Checklist.
We recommend registering for electricity a few days before moving. This means that your supply can be set up in time and you’ll have plenty of time to choose the right supplier and tariff for you. Registering far enough ahead of your move also helps you avoid any unnecessarily high costs.
In many cases, you can still register for electricity on your move-in day. The apartment will still have an electricity supply to begin with. However, it’s important that you sort out your electricity contract as soon as possible and note down the meter reading when you move in.
You can register for electricity in just a few steps. It’s important to choose a supplier in good time, have the details for your new apartment at the ready and take out the contract to start on the right date.
In short, the three steps for registering for electricity are as follows: choose a supplier, note down the meter reading and take out a contract.
First, you need to choose an electricity supplier. You can either stay with your current supplier or choose a new tariff. Pay attention to the following points in particular:
This will help you find a tariff that suits your new living situation.
When you are looking for a suitable tariff, you may have the option to choose green electricity from Vonovia, which is generated entirely from renewable sources. A contract can be taken out online and the switchover process is seamless.
To register, you need the meter number for your new apartment. This is to make sure that the contract is set up for the correct electricity meter. You should also make a note of the current meter reading when you move in. It’s best to also note it down in the handover record so that consumption is clearly documented.
You can take out an electricity contract either online or over the phone. To do this, the supplier will require the following details (and possibly others):
Once you have set up the contract, you will be sent the documents and the supplier will arrange for your supply to begin.
Always provide the correct move-in date when registering. This is important for ensuring that the contract starts on the right date and for determining the point from which your electricity consumption is to be attributed to you. This data is also key if you need to settle the account later on.
Once you have registered, your supplier will send you confirmation. It will contain:
Check these details carefully to ensure that everything is set up correctly from the beginning.
You only require a few pieces of information to register for electricity. These details help the supplier to correctly set up your contract and assign the right electricity meter to your apartment.
Usually, the following information is required:
Sometimes you may also be asked for the market location ID if you already have it. However, it is not essential to provide this piece of information. The most important thing is to ensure that the meter number and meter reading are correctly noted down, so your consumption can be calculated correctly right from the start.
In multifamily homes, you can often find the electricity meter in the cellar, in the hallway or in a separate meter room. In many apartments it is located inside the apartment itself, e.g. in the hallway. Both the meter number and the current meter reading are shown on the meter.
Both pieces of information serve different purposes.
The meter number is either printed directly onto the electricity meter or shown on a sticker that has been attached to the electricity meter. It is made up of a combination of numbers and letters. Take care to note down the correct number, as it is used to clearly link your electricity contract to your household.
Take the current meter reading when you move in and note it down as accurately as possible. It’s best to also note it down in the handover record. By doing so, you ensure that you will only be billed for the electricity that has been used since you moved in.
Even if you don’t take out your own electricity contract, your apartment will still have electricity when you move in. In this case, you will automatically get your electricity from the local default supplier.
However, the basic supply tariffs are often more expensive than those of electricity contracts you have chosen yourself. The special tariffs offered by other suppliers often come with more favorable terms or better price guarantees. It is therefore worth choosing a suitable tariff and taking out your own contract in good time.
When you move, you also need to take care of your current electricity contract. You can often move your current contract over to your new address. It’s also possible to use your move as an opportunity to change supplier. Whether you take your electricity supply with you or conclude a new contract depends on your current tariff and the conditions at your new place of residence.
If you wish to keep your current electricity contract, let your supplier know in sufficient advance of your move. Give them your new address and move-in date, so they can check to see if the contract can be transferred to your new apartment.
It’s also important to provide your supplier with a meter reading for your old apartment when you move out. This will ensure that your consumption up to that point is calculated correctly. It’s best to note down the meter reading for your new apartment as soon as you move in, so your supply can be easily switched over to your new address.
Moving home can be a good opportunity to change your electricity supplier. Check the contract term and cancellation period for your current contract. Depending on which tariff you are on, you may be able to switch right away or only at the end of the term.
It may be worthwhile taking out a new contract if you can find a lower tariff or better terms. If you are moving into a Vonovia apartment, you also have the option of green electricity or, where available, even solar power generated on the roof of your Vonovia apartment building.
When registering for electricity, little mistakes can quickly lead to unnecessary costs or additional work. By bearing the following points in mind, you can avoid common issues when registering for electricity and ensure that your contract runs as it should right from the beginning.
If you do not take out your own contract, your electricity will automatically be supplied by the default supplier. This will often be more expensive than other tariffs.
Your current contract does not end automatically when you move. Let your supplier know in good time or check to see if you can take your contract with you.
In multifamily homes there are often multiple meters together in one place. You should therefore carefully check that you are using the right meter number.
Without a recorded meter reading, it will be difficult to track your consumption later on. Take a note of the reading as soon as you move in.
An incorrect move-in date can mean that your electricity consumption is not correctly attributed. Take care to provide accurate information.
If you do not take out your own contract, your electricity will automatically be supplied by the default supplier. This will often be more expensive than other tariffs.
Without a recorded meter reading, it will be difficult to track your consumption later on. Take a note of the reading as soon as you move in.
Your current contract does not end automatically when you move. Let your supplier know in good time or check to see if you can take your contract with you.
An incorrect move-in date can mean that your electricity consumption is not correctly attributed. Take care to provide accurate information.
In multifamily homes there are often multiple meters together in one place. You should therefore carefully check that you are using the right meter number.
