Can I change my electricity company if I am a tenant? Rights and steps to take

Living in rented accommodation does not mean you cannot save on your electricity bill. Spanish law recognises the right of any consumer to freely choose their supplier, but in a rented property other factors come into play: who is the contract holder, what does the rental contract say and how are changes managed to avoid problems between landlord and tenant?

Can a tenant change their electricity company?

In short, yes. A tenant can change companies as long as they are the holder of the supply contract. The key is not whether you are the owner or tenant, but who is listed as the holder of the electricity contract.

• If the contract is in your name: you can change your supplier, tariff or power rating without asking for permission.
• If the contract is in the owner's name: you need their authorisation to change suppliers.

What does the law say about changing companies in rented accommodation?

Let's take it step by step. The regulations governing the electricity sector state that:

• Any consumer is free to choose their supplier.
• Changing companies is free of charge.
• The maximum time frame for completing the change is 21 calendar days.
• Penalties may only be applied if there is a voluntarily signed minimum contract period.

In rented properties, the law does not require the account holder to be the owner or the tenant. The important thing is that both parties agree and that the tenancy agreement specifies who is responsible for the utilities.

Is it compulsory to change the account holder when moving into a rented property?

It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. If the tenant is going to be responsible for the bills, it is most practical for the contract to be in their name. This avoids situations that can lead to complications, such as:

1. Unpaid bills that could affect the landlord.
2. Limitations when changing tariffs or adjusting power.
3. Difficulty in dealing with faults or incidents directly with the company.
   

Advantages of being the account holder if you are a tenant

Being the holder of the electricity contract gives you total control over the supply and allows you to manage everything without depending on the owner. The main advantages include:

• Choosing the tariff that best suits your consumption, optimising your bill according to your schedule and habits.
• Changing companies when you need to, without additional paperwork or external authorisations.
• Adjusting the contracted power so you don't pay too much or suffer power cuts.
• Managing incidents directly with the supplier, speeding up any queries or repairs.
• Avoiding dependence on the owner for any procedures, which gives you autonomy and avoids delays or misunderstandings.

Cases in which the landlord prefers to remain the account holder

Some landlords prefer to remain the account holder when:

• The rental is temporary or short-term.
• They want to maintain control over the supply.
• Electricity is included in the rent.
• They do not want the tenant to change the power or tariff.

In these cases, it is best for the rental agreement to clearly specify this.

How to change your electricity company if you are a tenant (depending on your situation)

Case 1: you are already the contract holder

If the contract is in your name, changing companies is very simple:

1. Compare tariffs and choose the one that best suits your consumption.

2. Provide the new supplier with:

a. Name and ID number

b. Supply address

c. CUPS code

d. Bank account

3. The new company will take care of everything.

4. The change will be completed within a maximum of 21 days.

There are no power cuts or technical visits.

Case 2: you are not the contract holder

In this case, you first need to change the name on the contract.

1. Talk to the owner and request the change.
2. The owner must authorise it (usually a phone call or email is sufficient).
3. Once you are the holder, you can change your company or tariff.

What if the owner does not want to change ownership?

If the owner does not agree, you have two options that can help you manage your supply without conflict and without giving up the savings.

1. Keep the account in their name and pay the bills yourself

This is legal, but it has drawbacks:

• You will not be able to change companies.
• You will not be able to change the power rating.
• You will not be able to manage incidents directly.

2. Negotiate a cheaper tariff with the owner

You can suggest:

• Changing the company themselves.
• Adjusting the power to reduce costs.
• Signing up for a more efficient tariff.

Many landlords agree if it means savings without complications.

Is there a penalty for switching electricity companies?

In general, there is no penalty for changing companies. It could only apply in very specific situations:

• If there is a voluntarily signed minimum contract period.
• If the supplier clearly and transparently informed you of this period and its conditions.

If you did not sign any commitment or were not properly informed, you cannot be penalised for changing companies.

Can tenants sign up for a new tariff to save money?

Yes, provided that you are the contract holder. If not, you still have ways of saving money:

• Ask the owner to sign up for the tariff of your choice, explaining the savings it can bring.
• Negotiate a change of ownership so that you can manage the supply yourself and have complete freedom to modify it.

Adjusting your tariff can make a significant difference to your bill, especially if:

• You spend many hours away from home.
• Your consumption is concentrated in certain time slots.
• You use efficient and well-programmed appliances.

Save on your electricity bill if you live in rented accommodation: a tariff that adapts to your actual hours of consumption

If you live in rented accommodation, choosing a tariff that suits your energy consumption is key to avoiding overpaying. The One Luz 3 Periodos tariff  allows you to take advantage of different prices depending on the time of day, so you pay less when you use the most electricity. This is a particularly attractive option for tenants with set routines, for example, those who spend the day away from home and concentrate their consumption in the afternoon, evening or at weekends.

Furthermore, if you are the account holder, you can optimise your supply even further:

• Adjusting the power to what you really need, avoiding unnecessary costs.
• Getting rid of services you do not use, so you only pay for what you need.
• Changing companies when you find a more competitive offer, without complications or long-term contracts.

Combining a time-of-use tariff with the flexibility of being the account holder allows you to control your spending and tailor your bill to your lifestyle, even if you’re renting.