How to Give Notice to a Business Energy Supplier

To avoid being placed on more expensive rates, you typically need to give written notice within a specific period before your business energy contract ends. This is commonly 30 to 90 days, but the exact period is set out in your contract, so check it first. Send your notice in writing, keep proof you sent it, and do this before the deadline passes.

Unlike domestic energy, most business energy contracts are fixed term and do not switch to a new fixed deal automatically when they end. If you take no action, the contract can roll onto out-of-contract or deemed rates, which are usually more expensive, and these apply automatically if notice is not given. If you miss the notice window, you can also be locked into another term. Providing timely notice ensures you have the flexibility to choose whether to remain with your current supplier or explore other options.

Find your notice period and contract end date

Two dates matter: when your contract ends, and the window before that date in which you must give notice. You will usually find both in your contract documents, your welcome letter, or a recent bill. If you cannot find them, ask your supplier in writing for your contract end date and the notice terms that apply.

Notice periods vary between suppliers and contracts. Some require notice no later than a set number of days before the end date. Others may also set an earliest date from which notice can be given. Read the exact wording, because serving notice too early can be as much of a problem as serving it too late under some contracts. If anything is unclear, get the supplier to confirm the deadline in writing.

Contract rules are set by the supplier and the agreement you signed, and these broadly apply across England, Scotland and Wales. Ofgem sets the wider rules for the energy market, so check Ofgem for the current position on business contracts and switching.

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What your notice should contain

Ensure the notice is concise and clear. A termination notice should usually include:

• Your business name as it appears on the account
• The account number or customer reference
• The supply point identifier: the MPAN for electricity or MPRN for gas
• The supply address and the type of supply (electricity, gas, or both)
• Your contract end date
• A clear statement that you are giving notice to terminate the contract at the end of its current term
• The date of the notice and the name and position of the person sending it

If you have more than one site or meter, list each one, or send a separate notice for each. Simply mentioning that you are considering a switch may not constitute formal notice, so state plainly that you are terminating.

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How to send it and keep proof

Send your notice in the way your contract specifies. Some suppliers require notice by post, some accept email, and some have a set address or form. If the contract names a method, use it. If you are unsure, use both email and post so you have covered the requirement either way.

Keep evidence that you sent it and when. For email, keep the sent message and request a read receipt or reply confirming receipt. For post, use a tracked or signed-for service and keep the proof of posting and delivery. Ask the supplier to confirm in writing that your notice has been received and your contract end date acknowledged. That confirmation is worth chasing, because it removes any later dispute about timing.

If the supplier disputes or ignores your notice

If the supplier says your notice was late, invalid, or never arrived, send them your proof and ask them to set out in writing why they are rejecting it, pointing to the relevant contract terms. Keep everything in writing rather than relying on phone calls.

If you cannot resolve it, raise a formal complaint with the supplier and ask for their final response, sometimes called a deadlock letter. A deadlock letter is issued once the supplier feels it cannot do any more to resolve the dispute. All businesses can access the Energy Ombudsman, which can look at unresolved complaints, usually once you have a deadlock letter or eight weeks have passed since your initial complaint, whichever comes first. Microbusinesses have some additional protections when dealing with complaints. Citizens Advice can assist with energy-related issues, and Ofgem publishes the current rules on business contracts and complaint handling. Check whether your business meets the microbusiness definition, as this affects some of your protections.

Serving notice early, in writing, with proof, is the simplest way to avoid being tied in or paying out-of-contract rates while you compare deals.

If you are leaving the premises altogether, you may be able to end the supply through a change of tenancy. If you want to exit before the end date, read whether you can cancel a business energy contract.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Business Energy Switching Notice Builder lets you generate the written notice that frees your business to switch energy supplier on time. Try it now →