Closing or consolidating a site — what to do with the energy contract
Vacating a unit doesn't end the energy contract. Here's what actually needs to happen with meters, standing charges and the final read to avoid a nasty final bill.
Standing charges keep running
Standing charges and any agreed capacity charges continue to accrue on a live meter until the supply is either changed-of-tenancy to a new occupier or disconnected. Simply moving out and stopping payment leads to a growing arrears balance in your business name.
Change of tenancy (COT) — the usual path
For most exits, COT is the right route: submit a final meter read, provide the new tenant's details (or the landlord's), and the supplier moves the account off your name. Keep evidence of the final read and the COT confirmation — this is what protects you from a disputed final bill months later.
Disconnection — for permanent closures
If the meter is being permanently removed (site demolition, unit reconfiguration) request a formal disconnection from the DNO/gas transporter via your supplier. Disconnection is not instant and carries an engineering fee, but stops all standing and capacity charges cleanly.
Multi-site — sequence the exits
For consolidating operators closing several sites, sequence the exits so each COT/disconnection request has a paper trail. It's normal to see final-bill queries surface 3-6 months after the exit; a clean file per site makes those queries a five-minute task rather than a forensic exercise.
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