Moving can be a hassle even without any added, unnecessary stress. A change of tenancy form (COT) is used to inform your suppliers that you’re moving out of your current property. You can also request a quote for your new premises from your supplier should you wish to stay with them.

Below is a step-by-step guide to our COT form; giving you one less thing to worry about and making your moving process smoother.

PROPERTY INFORMATION

1. Site Address & Postcode

This information is used to identify your property. It should be the address of the CURRENT premises occupied and supplied, not the one you’re moving to.

2. Meter Point Reference Number

This is the unique number assigned to your gas connection. It can be found on your bills from your energy supplier. It is usually located on the first page of a bill or on the back of the front page.

No longer have access to any bills? Don’t worry:

3. Meter Serial Number

This is a unique number used to identify your gas meter. The serial number is made up of a combination of numbers and letters. It can be located on the front of your physical gas meters. It’s usually next to a barcode.

It will also be listed as  the ‘meter number’ on your energy invoice.

4. Change of Tenancy Date

This should be the date your lease officially ends, even if you move out before then.

Or, if you’re selling, it’s the day the contract comes into effect.

5. Meter Reading

This is a final meter reading submission.

To ensure your meter reading is correct:

• read the dials from left to right
• if the pointer is between two dials, take the lower number
• ignore
  • red dials
  • ones marked ‘100 per rev’
  • and the largest dial

For more information on this, we do have a complete guide on reading your meter, too.

LANDLORD DETAILS

1. Landlord’s Name

This is the name of your landlord.

2. Landlord’s address

This is the current address of your landlord.

3. Landlord’s phone number

This is a current, active contact for your landlord.

OUTGOING DETAILS

1. Ltd Company Name/Sole Trader Name/Partnership Name

This is the name of the person who is moving out of the property, it can be the name of the company. It would act as the ‘recipient’ information for the forwarding address.

2. Forwarding Address

This is the address of that the final invoice will be sent to.

3. Circle Answer

Niccolo can provide competitive prices for your new premises. If you’re interested in staying with us circle YES to receive a quote.

4. Telephone Number

This should be a current and active contact phone number.

5. Email Address

This should be a current and active contact email address.

6. Additional Documents

When returning this form if you have SOLD the property YOU MUST attach proof of this. A solicitors letter can be requested, or provide us with the Land Registry title.

The Title Number is a number allocated to each and every property that is registered with the Land Registry. The number can be found on the top of each page of the Title Registers and also at the top of the Title Plan.

INCOMING DETAILS

1. Ltd Company Name/Sole Trader Name/Partnership Name

This is the name of the business who will be occupying the premises next. If your property is going to come under the management of the landlord then their information should be inputted here.

2. Company Reg Number

This is a unique combination of numbers and, in some cases, letters. This is used to identify the company and verify the fact that it is an entity registered with Companies House.

You only need to provide this information if it is applicable.

3. Telephone Number

This should be a current and active contact phone number for the incoming occupiers/landlord.

4. Email Address

This should be a current and active contact email address for the incoming occupiers/landlord.

5. Additional Documents

If you are the new tenant/leaseholder filling out this form, YOU MUST attach the following pages from your lease when you return your form:

1. parties involved,
2. particulars page,
3. signatures page OR Land Registry with proof of purchase

You should have been given a copy of your lease by your solicitor/property manager when you bought/leased the property.

If you do not have a copy of your lease you may be able to get one from your solicitor or mortgage lender. Usually, the Land Registry will also keep a copy.

FINAL DETAILS

1. Your Name

The name of the person filling out the form.

2. Relation to the Site

What connection do you have to the premises?

3. Date

The date that you filled out the form

Sending us the Form

Please send the form, along with the required relevant documents, to:

cot@niccolo.co.uk

It would be a good idea to keep a copy of this for your own records, too.

GOOGLE SNIPPETS

Should I pay utilities if I moved out 

If you have notified your supplier that you’re moving out and thus cancelling your utility, you do not have to pay once you have left the property. An incoming tenant then becomes responsible for the utilities. If there is no new tenant, the utility billing reverts back to the landlord. 

Can I turn off utilities before lease is up 

If your lease says you pay utilities, you need to do so up until the end of your lease even if you move out before then. Moving out early does not alter the legal terms you agreed to when you signed your lease. An exception to this would be if you executed an early lease termination.

When should I call utilities when moving 

Some providers will have specific time frames within which to contact them so be sure to check your specific suppliers. Generally you should notify them a few weeks, at least two, in advance of your moving.

Why does my landlord want my gas and electric account numbers 

After the end of your tenancy the landlord may have to write and ask the bills to be transferred to whoever is taking responsibility (if it was not established before you vacated). Having the account numbers may make this easier to do.

They may also want this information to check the utilities have been paid for up until the end of your lease.

What does my energy supplier mean by COT? 

COT stands for Change of Tenancy (form). It is the process through which you let your supplier know you are moving out of/into a property and thus need to either end or begin a new contract for your energy supply.

What documents do I need to prove a change of tenancy 

If you are SELLING, you need to provide proof of ownership detailing the date/site the premises was sold (i.e. a solicitors letter) or provide the Land Registry Title number.

If you are an INCOMING TENANT/LEASEHOLDER you must attach the following pages from your lease when you return your COT form: parties involved, particulars page, signatures page OR Land Registry with proof of purchase.

When is the ‘Change of Tenancy date’

This should be the date your lease officially ends, even if you move out before then. Or, if you’re selling, it’s the day the contract comes into effect.