Council Tax, Utilities and Address Changes When Moving in Glasgow

Changing your address is the least interesting part of moving and the one that generates the most avoidable problems afterwards. The two that cost real money are council tax, where being billed by two authorities at once is common, and energy, where a missing meter reading turns into a disputed estimated bill.

This is the full list in the order that actually matters, with the Scotland-specific bits flagged. Our Glasgow house move checklist covers the wider timeline.

Council tax comes first

Glasgow City Council handles council tax for addresses within the city. If you are moving to Bearsden or Milngavie it is East Dunbartonshire, Newton Mearns or Giffnock is East Renfrewshire, Paisley is Renfrewshire, and East Kilbride or Hamilton is South Lanarkshire.

You must close the account with the outgoing authority and open one with the incoming authority. They do not talk to each other. Getting this wrong is the single most common way people end up paying twice.

In Scotland, water and sewerage charges are generally collected alongside council tax rather than billed separately as in England.

The notification list

Meter readings on the day

1. Photograph the electricity, gas and water meters at the old property, timestamped
2. Do the same at the new property before you unpack anything
3. Submit both sets to the relevant suppliers the same day
4. Note the location of the stopcock and fuse box while you are looking
5. Keep the photographs until the first accurate bill arrives

Estimated readings are where disputed bills come from. Five minutes with a phone camera prevents most of it.

Broadband: order early or work from a phone

This is the one that catches everybody. Broadband and phone provision routinely takes four to six weeks, and a new-build or previously unconnected property can take considerably longer.

Place the order as soon as your entry date is confirmed rather than after you move. It costs nothing to arrange early and the alternative is a fortnight of tethering.

Flats and factors

If you are moving into a Glasgow flat, there will usually be a factor managing communal repairs and billing owners a share. Register with them when you move in — they are also who you contact about stairwell repairs, back court access and, in city centre blocks, the goods lift.

The factor should be named in the property questionnaire section of the Home Report.

First week checklist

• Confirm the council tax account is open at the new address and closed at the old
• Check the first energy bill uses your actual readings
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Locate the stopcock, fuse box and gas meter
• Update your address with the electoral roll
• Register with a local GP and dentist if you have moved area

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to tell both councils?

Yes. Closing the old account does not open the new one, and they are separate authorities with separate systems.

Are water charges separate in Scotland?

They are generally collected with council tax rather than billed separately.

How long does Royal Mail redirection take to set up?

Allow a couple of weeks. It is worth having for at least three months.

When should I order broadband?

As soon as your entry date is confirmed. Four to six weeks is normal and longer is possible.

Moving in Glasgow? We will handle the move itself — send us your postcodes and entry date for a fixed quote within the hour. Get a free fixed quote or call +44 7424 958288.