Why Completing A Change of Tenancy Promptly Matters
Failing to notify E.ON Next of a change in occupancy can have significant financial consequences for both the incoming and outgoing occupier. The four key risks are:
Act on the day you take or relinquish responsibility for the premises. Do not wait for a bill to arrive before notifying E.ON Next.
What Information E.ON Next Will Ask For
Whether you are moving in or moving out, E.ON Next will typically ask for the following information. Having it ready before you contact them will speed up the process.
Moving Out Of E.ON Next Supplied Premises
When you vacate premises supplied by E.ON Next, you are responsible for the account until you formally notify the supplier. Follow these steps on or before the day you leave.
Take a closing meter reading
Read every meter at the premises on the day you vacate. Photograph each meter showing the reading, the meter serial number and the date.
Note the meter serial numbers
The serial number is printed on the meter face. It is used by E.ON Next to confirm the correct meter and match the reading to the account.
Gather your supporting evidence
Locate your lease, tenancy agreement, completion statement or other document that confirms the date your responsibility ended.
Contact E.ON Next
Notify E.ON Next by phone (0808 501 5699), online via their website, or in writing. Provide your account number, the closing reading, the date you vacated and your forwarding address for the final bill.
Confirm the account is closed
Ask E.ON Next to confirm in writing that the account has been closed and the final bill issued. Keep this confirmation.
Provide details of the incoming occupier
If you know who is taking over the premises, provide their details to E.ON Next. This helps ensure the account is transferred cleanly and reduces the risk of continued billing.
Do not leave the premises without taking a meter reading and notifying E.ON Next. If you delay, you may be billed for energy used by the new occupier.
Moving Into E.ON Next Supplied Premises
When you move into premises already supplied by E.ON Next, you will initially be placed on a deemed arrangement until a contract is agreed. Follow these steps to take control of the account as quickly as possible.
Take an opening meter reading on day one
Read every meter at the premises on the day you take responsibility. Photograph each meter showing the reading, the serial number and the date. This is your most important piece of evidence.
Locate the meters
Check the premises for all meters — electricity, gas and any sub-meters. Some premises have more than one electricity or gas meter. Each has its own MPAN or MPRN and may be on a separate account.
Contact E.ON Next
Call E.ON Next on 0808 501 5699 or notify them online. Provide your business name, the supply address, the date you took responsibility and your opening meter reading.
Provide your supporting evidence
Send E.ON Next a copy of your lease, completion statement or tenancy agreement confirming the date you took responsibility for the premises.
Agree a contract
Once the account is in your name, contact The Best Energy Rates to compare E.ON Next's available tariffs against the wider market. Deemed rates are typically higher than contracted rates.
Check all meters are covered
Confirm with E.ON Next that every meter at the premises has been included in the Change of Tenancy. Missing a meter can result in continued billing under the previous occupier's account.
Landlords And Vacant Commercial Units
When a commercial unit is vacant between tenancies, the landlord or managing agent is typically responsible for the energy account. This section covers the key considerations.
Standing charges continue
Even when no energy is being consumed, standing charges continue to accumulate. The landlord is responsible for these charges during any vacancy period.
Account must be in the landlord's name
During a vacancy, the account should be transferred into the landlord's or managing agent's name. This prevents the previous tenant from continuing to be billed and establishes clear responsibility.
Suspension or disconnection
If the supply is not required during a vacancy, it may be worth discussing suspension or disconnection with E.ON Next. Be aware that reconnection may incur costs and take time.
Meter readings at each change
Take meter readings at the start and end of every vacancy period. This provides a clear record of consumption and avoids disputes with incoming tenants about the opening position.
Multiple units
If you manage multiple units in a building, each unit's meters need to be handled separately. Ensure every meter is accounted for at each change of occupancy.
Meter Readings And The Change of Tenancy
A meter reading taken on the date responsibility changes is the single most important piece of evidence in any Change of Tenancy. It establishes the starting or finishing position for billing purposes and reduces the risk of disputes about who used what energy.
Photograph the meter rather than simply writing down the reading. A photograph shows the reading, the meter serial number and the date (if your phone embeds metadata), and is much harder to dispute than a handwritten note.
If you cannot take a reading on the exact date — for example, because the meters are in a locked room — take the reading as close to the date as possible and note the circumstances. An estimated reading is better than no reading at all.
MPAN And MPRN — Finding Your Meter Point References
The MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is a 21-digit number that uniquely identifies an electricity supply point. The MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) identifies a gas supply point. Both are needed for a Change of Tenancy.
You can find the MPAN on any electricity bill — it is usually shown in a grid format on the second page. The MPRN is shown on any gas bill. If you do not have a bill, E.ON Next can look up the meter point reference using the supply address.
Some premises have more than one MPAN — for example, where there are separate meters for different floors or units. Each MPAN needs to be included in the Change of Tenancy. Missing an MPAN means that meter remains on the previous occupier's account.
Evidence And Proof Of Responsibility
E.ON Next will ask for evidence to confirm the date responsibility for the premises changed. The type of evidence required depends on the nature of the transaction.
For a lease: provide a copy of the signed lease agreement showing the commencement date. For a purchase: provide a copy of the completion statement. For a licence to occupy: provide a copy of the licence agreement. For a landlord taking back a vacant unit: provide a copy of the previous tenancy agreement showing the end date.
If you do not have formal documentation — for example, where occupation began informally — explain the circumstances to E.ON Next and provide whatever evidence is available. A statutory declaration may be accepted in some cases.
What If The Previous Occupier Has Not Closed Their Account?
If the previous occupier has not notified E.ON Next that they have left, the account may still be in their name when you move in. This can complicate your Change of Tenancy application.
In this situation, contact E.ON Next and explain that you are the new occupier. Provide your opening meter reading, the date you took responsibility and your supporting evidence. E.ON Next will investigate and update the account accordingly.
You are not responsible for energy used before you took responsibility for the premises, regardless of whose name the account is in. However, resolving the situation promptly is important to avoid billing complications.
Still Being Billed After You Left?
If you are receiving bills from E.ON Next for a premises you have vacated, take the following steps immediately.
Gather your evidence
Locate your closing meter reading, meter photograph, lease end date or completion statement, and any correspondence with E.ON Next about the account closure.
Contact E.ON Next
Call E.ON Next on 0808 501 5699 and explain that you have vacated the premises. Quote your account number, the date you left and your closing meter reading. Ask them to confirm the date the account was closed.
Submit a formal dispute
If E.ON Next does not resolve the issue promptly, submit a formal complaint in writing. Include all your evidence. E.ON Next has a complaints process and is required to respond within a set timeframe.
Escalate if necessary
If E.ON Next does not resolve the complaint within 8 weeks, or issues a deadlock letter, you can refer the matter to the Energy Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's decision is binding on E.ON Next.
Deemed Rates — What They Are And How To Avoid Them
When you move into premises without an agreed energy contract, you are automatically supplied under a 'deemed' arrangement. Deemed rates are set by the supplier and are typically significantly higher than contracted rates.
E.ON Next's deemed rates apply from the date you take responsibility for the premises until a contract is agreed. The longer you remain on deemed rates, the more you pay above the contracted rate.
To minimise deemed rate exposure, contact The Best Energy Rates as soon as you know you are taking on new premises. We can compare E.ON Next's available tariffs against the wider market and help you agree a contract from the earliest possible date.
Buying An Existing Business
When you buy an existing business, the energy accounts do not automatically transfer to the new owner. The incoming owner needs to notify E.ON Next and provide evidence of the change of ownership.
The incoming business does not normally inherit the outgoing owner's fixed energy contract. A new contract will need to be agreed. The account may be placed on a deemed arrangement from the date of completion until a new contract is in place.
Check whether there are any outstanding balances on the energy account before completion. Outstanding balances are the responsibility of the outgoing owner, but disputes can arise if the account is not properly closed at the point of sale.
Taking Over A Lease Or Assignment
When you take over a lease by assignment or surrender and re-grant, the energy account needs to be updated to reflect the new tenant. The date the lease was assigned is the key date for billing purposes.
The incoming tenant does not automatically inherit the previous tenant's fixed energy contract. A new contract will need to be agreed. The account may initially be on a deemed arrangement.
Provide E.ON Next with a copy of the deed of assignment or the new lease agreement as evidence of the date responsibility transferred. If the previous tenant has not notified E.ON Next, follow the steps in the 'Previous Occupier' section above.
Multiple Meters At One Site
Some commercial premises have more than one electricity or gas meter. Each meter has its own MPAN or MPRN and may be on a separate account with E.ON Next or even with a different supplier.
A Change of Tenancy needs to cover every meter at the premises. Missing a meter means that meter remains on the previous occupier's account — or on a deemed arrangement — and you may not be aware of it until a bill arrives.
When you move in, check the premises carefully for all meters. Look in plant rooms, meter cupboards, basements and external meter boxes. If you are unsure how many meters there are, ask the landlord or managing agent, or contact E.ON Next with the supply address.
Can I Switch Supplier During A Change of Tenancy?
You can switch supplier once the Change of Tenancy has been processed and the account is in your name. Attempting to switch before the account is updated can cause complications — the switch may be rejected because the account is not yet in your name.
If you want to switch supplier, complete the Change of Tenancy with E.ON Next first. Once the account is confirmed in your name, contact The Best Energy Rates to compare the market and initiate a switch.
In some cases, it may be possible to agree a new contract with E.ON Next at the same time as the Change of Tenancy. This avoids a period on deemed rates while the switch is processed.
Why E.ON Next Change of Tenancy Cases Get Delayed
Most delays are caused by missing or inconsistent information. The most common causes are:
Missing evidence
E.ON Next will ask for a lease, completion statement or other document to confirm the date responsibility changed. Without it, the application cannot be processed.
Incorrect or inconsistent dates
The date on the application must match the date on the supporting evidence. Discrepancies cause delays while E.ON Next investigates.
No opening or closing meter reading
Without a reading, E.ON Next cannot confirm the starting or finishing position. An estimated reading may be used, which can lead to disputes later.
Meters not covered
Each meter at the premises needs to be included. A Change of Tenancy that covers only some of the meters leaves the rest unresolved.
Meter serial number mismatch
If the serial number on the application does not match the account, E.ON Next may not be able to process the change without further investigation.
Previous occupier has not closed the account
If the outgoing occupier has not notified E.ON Next, the account may still be in their name. This complicates the incoming occupier's application.
Business name differs from the lease
The name on the application should match the name on the supporting documents. Differences — for example, trading name vs registered name — can cause delays.
Address recorded differently
Address formats can differ between the lease, the meter records and E.ON Next's system. Check the address on the bill against the actual address.
Primary and secondary MPAN issue
Some premises have both a primary and secondary MPAN. Both may need to be addressed in the Change of Tenancy.
Can An E.ON Next Change of Tenancy Be Backdated?
E.ON Next will consider the evidence provided and the effective date when processing a Change of Tenancy. A backdate is not automatic — the supplier will review the information and make a decision based on the circumstances.
A fixed tariff may not always be available from the original occupancy date. The account may be placed on a deemed arrangement for the period before the Change of Tenancy is processed, even where a backdate is agreed.
The strongest evidence for a backdate is a meter reading taken on the date you took responsibility, combined with a lease or completion statement showing the same date. The more contemporaneous the evidence, the stronger the case for a backdate.
How To Contact E.ON Next About A Change of Tenancy
E.ON Next offers several ways to notify them of a Change of Occupancy.
Online
E.ON Next has an online Change of Occupancy form on their website at eonnext.com. This is the fastest method for straightforward cases.
Phone
Call E.ON Next business energy on 0808 501 5699. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am–5pm. Have your account number, meter readings and supporting evidence ready.
Post
Write to E.ON Next at: E.ON Next, Floors 5–7 Rutland Centre, Halford Street, Leicester LE1 1TQ. Include copies (not originals) of your supporting evidence.
E.ON Next's business energy team handles Change of Occupancy requests. If you are calling, ask specifically for the business energy team to avoid being routed to the residential team.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Need Help With An E.ON Next Change of Tenancy?
The Best Energy Rates can help you gather evidence, check meter details and communicate with E.ON Next where a Letter of Authority is in place. Call us or upload your bill to get started.