You have just moved into your first flat:  what do you need to do about the electricity?

Before you call anyone or sign up for anything, find out what situation the property is in. Because moving into a flat with an active electricity supply is very different from finding out there is no electricity.

The key is to distinguish between requesting a new electricity connection and changing the contract holder. They are not the same thing.

If the flat already has electricity

If the supply is active, you do not need to request a new connection.

Check who is the contract holder, what tariff the contract includes and how the bills are paid.

If the contract is still in the previous tenant's name, the most practical approach is to transfer it to your name. That way you can manage the supply directly. It also ensures you are responsible for the bills incurred from the date of the change.

In addition, it's a good time to check whether the tariff and contracted power chosen by the previous tenant are still right for you. Their schedules and needs may be very different from yours.

Check our guide on how to change the holder for an electricity or gas contract.

If the flat does not have an electricity supply

In this case, you will need to request a new electricity connection.

This can happen because the previous supply was disconnected or because it's a brand-new home. In that case, you will need to request the connection and provide the necessary documentation.

Before you start, check that you have the property's CUPS and any information the owner can provide. The CUPS uniquely identifies the energy supply point and is usually required to complete certain procedures.

Is there electricity? Change the contract holder. Is there no electricity supply? Request a new connection.

Once you know the difference, you've already cleared up one of your first questions.

If you're renting, should the electricity contract be in your name?

If you are the person living in the property and using the supply, it is advisable to have the contract in your name. That way you can manage the supply directly and access your bills.

However, if electricity is included in the rent, first check the terms of the tenancy agreement.

5 things you should check on day one

You don't need to sort everything out in the first few hours. But these five checks will help you get off to a good start.

Check who the contract holder is

This is the first piece of information you should find out.

If the contract is still in the owner's or previous tenant's name, you can request a change of holder to transfer it to your name.

Note down or check the meter reading

Do this on the day you move in and, if possible, keep a photo.

This gives you a reference of the energy consumption up to the point when you received the keys and clearly marks where your own usage starts.

Check the flat's current tariff

Don't assume that the previous tenant's tariff is the best fit for you.

For now, you just need to know which tariff you have, how much you're paying for energy and whether it suits your schedules.

Check your contracted power

Your contracted power determines how many appliances you can use at the same time and makes up part of the fixed cost of your bill.

If you're not sure whether the flat's current power capacity is right for you, you can use Endesa's power calculator to estimate your needs.

Check how and where your bills will be paid

Check the bank account linked to the contract and make sure your contact details are correct.

If you're an Endesa customer, you can also view your bills and manage your contracts through the Endesa Customer Area.

How much can you expect to spend on electricity per month in your first flat?

This is probably one of the first questions you'll ask yourself.

The answer, however, isn't a set figure. It depends on the type of home you live in and, above all, which services run on electricity.

Factors such as the size of the flat, the number of people living there, climate control, hot water, cooking, household appliances and how much time you spend at home all play a role.

Living alone doesn't necessarily mean spending half as much

One fewer person in the home doesn't mean that all electricity consumption is cut in half.

The fridge still runs. So does the router. And an electric water heater, air conditioning, or heating will depend far more on how often you use them than on the number of people living in the home.

That is why consumption per person is not a straightforward mathematical division.

The appliances that can make the biggest difference to your budget

If you want to know what can make the biggest difference, start by looking at climate control, the electric hot water system and large appliances such as the oven, electric hob, tumble dryer, washing machine and dishwasher.

The goal isn't to cut back on their use just for the sake of it, but rather to understand which appliances can explain why one month's bill differs from another.

Create your first energy budget before the bill arrives

Before trying to guess how much you will pay, do something more useful: find out what uses electricity in your home.

These answers will give you an initial picture of your energy profile.

A small, fully electric flat can use much more electricity than a larger one where heating and hot water are gas-powered.

The key isn't to find out how much ‘a young person’ uses, but to understand what your home needs.

Don't try to guess your bill: start by getting to know your home.

Which electricity tariff could best suit your new routine?

Being young doesn't determine which tariff you need. Your habits do.

Before you choose, ask yourself three questions:

• When are you at home?
• When do you use the most electricity?
• Do you want to adapt your habits to certain times of day, or would you rather not have to think about them?

From there, you can explore Endesa's electricity tariffs and compare the options available based on how you use electricity.

If you're out for most of the day

If you work or study away from home, a large part of your consumption may occur when you get home and during weekends.

Pay attention to those time slots and check whether the tariff you're considering aligns with them.

If you work or study from home

If you spend many hours at home, your consumption will be spread more evenly throughout the day.

In this case, a stable-price tariff may be simpler if you don't want to keep track of specific schedules.

If you use most of your electricity at certain times

If you can schedule your washing machine, dishwasher or other appliances to run during certain time bands, you could consider a tariff with different time-of-use periods, such as Endesa's Conecta 3 Periodos Tariff.

The key is making sure you can truly take advantage of those time periods.

If you prefer a fixed price throughout the day

If your schedule changes often or you'd rather not think about what time you use electricity, you could consider a stable-price tariff.

For example, Endesa's Conecta Luz Tariff charges the same price for electricity consumption 24 hours a day.

Don't choose a tariff because you're young. Choose one based on how you use your home.

Your first bill has arrived: what you should check

You have your first bill in front of you. Don't panic: you don't need to understand the whole thing at once.

Start with these five details.

Check the billing period

Look at the start and end dates.

Your first bill may cover less or more time than you expected, so don't compare the total amount with a full month without checking the billing period first. The first billing cycle may be shorter or longer than usual depending on when the supply is activated.

Check how many kWh you've used

This is one of the key figures you should start tracking.

The amount in euros tells you how much you've paid. The number of kWh tells you how much electricity you've used.

Keep a record so you can compare it with future bills.

Check how much contracted power you're paying for

Check the contracted power in kW.

If you've just moved into a property, the contracted power may reflect the previous occupant's needs. Before requesting a change, first check what you actually need.

Check the price applied to the electricity you use

Check the price per kWh and make sure it matches the terms of your tariff.

Check any services, discounts and taxes

Check whether any additional services, discounts or taxes are listed on the bill.

If you want to understand each item on your bill, there's no need to duplicate information here: See our guide to understanding your electricity bill.

Why your first bill may be higher or lower than you expected

Your first bill doesn't always reflect what your typical electricity consumption will look like.

It doesn't cover exactly one month

The billing period may not line up with a calendar month.

Always check the dates before comparing the amount with what you expected to pay.

You've used more electricity during the first few days

Moving house can also change your habits: Extra laundry, cleaning, using the oven, keeping the lights on for longer, assembling furniture or using climate control.

The first few days may not accurately reflect your normal routine.

Your contracted power may be higher than you need

The previous occupant may have had different needs from yours.

If you think you have more power capacity than you need, first work out what you actually require before you consider changing it.

Some appliances use more electricity than you might think

If your consumption goes up one month, first look at what has changed at home.

Climate control and electric hot water systems, for example, often account for a significant portion of these variations.

You're comparing the amount you paid, not the kWh you've used

The final price can fluctuate for different reasons.

The number of kWh tells you whether you're actually using more electricity or whether there's another explanation for the difference in the amount in euros.

If you share a flat: how to organise your monthly bill without falling out

The electricity bill shouldn't become your first source of conflict with your flatmates.

The solution? Talk about it beforehand.

Decide who will be the contract holder

Choose who will manage the contract and serve as the contract holder.

If there are several of you, it doesn't have to be a complicated decision, but everyone should know who is responsible for the electricity supply.

Agree how you'll split the costs

Splitting the bill equally is the simplest option, but you can agree on a different system if your room sizes, schedules or routines are very different.

The key is to agree on this before the first bill arrives.

How to start keeping track of your electricity costs from the first month

Forget the usual ten energy-saving tips. Before you start compulsively switching off lights, learn how your home uses electricity.

Find out what your normal electricity consumption is

Your first month is your starting point.

After a few billing cycles, you'll have a much more useful benchmark: your own home's.

Identify the appliances behind your peaks in consumption

If you use more electricity one month, think about what has changed.

Have you been using the air conditioning more? Have you used a space heater? Have you done extra laundry?

Connecting your electricity consumption to your habits is much more useful than trying to save energy without knowing why.

Check your contracted power

Once you know your habits, you can check whether your contracted power is still right for you.

If you're unsure, use Endesa's power calculator.

Keep an eye on climate control and hot water

If they run on electricity, pay particular attention to these uses.

They often account for a significant portion of month-to-month variations.

Compare kWh, not just euros

Make this a habit from the start.

Euros = how much you pay.
kWh = how much energy you use.

Once you have data for several months, you'll start to understand how your home actually uses energy.

FAQs about electricity in your first flat

First flat, first contract, first bill... It's normal to have questions. Here are some of the most common ones when you start managing the electricity supply in your own home.

Do I need to request a new supply connection when I move into a rented flat?

Not necessarily. If the property already has an electricity supply, you do not need to request a new connection. If the supply has been disconnected, you will need to request a new connection.

Who should be the contract holder for the electricity supply in a rented flat?

It's generally advisable for the contract to be in the name of the person using the supply. In a rental situation, this is typically the tenant.

If electricity is included in the rent, first check the terms of the agreement.

How much does it cost to change the holder of an electricity contract?

Changing the contract holder is free of charge. The new holder will be responsible for the contract and any bills incurred from the date of the change.

How much power do I need if I live alone?

Living alone does not, in itself, determine how much power you need. It depends on the characteristics of the property and the electrical appliances you use, particularly if you run several of them at the same time.

If you want to estimate your needs, you can use our power calculator.

How much can you expect to pay for electricity each month if you live alone?

There is no fixed amount. The amount depends on your electricity consumption, contracted power and tariff terms, among other factors.

So rather than looking for an average figure, focus on your own consumption data. Your bill shows the kWh you've used, the price per kWh and your contracted power.

Why doesn't my first bill cover a full month?

Because the first billing period may be shorter or longer than usual. This depends on when the electricity supply was activated within the billing cycle.

Before comparing the amount with what you expected to pay for a month, check the start and end dates on the bill.

Can I change my tariff if I'm renting?

Yes, as long as you are the contract holder. You can review the available tariffs and choose the one that best suits your consumption habits.

See Endesa's electricity tariffs.

What if the electricity contract is still in the previous tenant's name?

If the supply is still active, you do not need to request a new connection. The usual approach is to request a change of holder so that the contract is transferred to your name.

That way you can manage the supply directly. You'll also be responsible for the bills incurred from the date of the change.