For energy and water, no: in the Netherlands, these contracts belong to a person, not a house, so you’ll need to bring your own or set up new ones. Internet is the exception, as some providers let you take over a contract.
The lights work, and the taps run, so surely you can carry on where the last tenant left off? Sadly, not quite.
Energy contracts follow the person, not the house
If g/w/e isn’t included in your rent, you can’t take over the previous occupant’s energy contract. It’s personal: it belongs to whoever signed it, not to the address.
The old tenant takes it along or cancels it, as will you when you move out.
Note: If your rent includes g/w/e, there’s nothing to take over. The energy contract is between the supplier and your landlord, who passes the costs on to you. Check your rental agreement to see what’s covered.
Here’s what to do instead
According to ACM ConsuWijzer (official consumer information portal), you’ve got two options:
- Bring your current contract along. Some suppliers allow this, and some even let you use it at both addresses for a while.
- Pick a new supplier for your new address.
Either way, you’ll get a final bill (eindafrekening) for your old address.
Moving into a home with district heating (stadsverwarming)? You can’t choose your heat supplier, and you register with the heat supplier tied to the home, just like with water.
Note: No smart meter? Submit your gas and electricity readings within five working days of the move, or your supplier will estimate them. Take a photo as proof.
Watch out for cancellation fees
Switching rather than bringing your contract along? Check the small print: you may have to pay a cancellation fee (opzegvergoeding) if you end a fixed-term contract early.
The good news? Variable and dynamic contracts don’t come with a cancellation fee, just a notice period of up to one month.
Internet: sometimes, with help
A contract transfer (contractovername) needs the previous tenant’s sign-off, and rules vary.
KPN lets you take over someone else’s contract, while Ziggo and DELTA only allow it between housemates or household members, or in situations like a divorce.
Bringing your own internet along? Contracts often run for one or two years, after which you can cancel free of charge with up to one month’s notice, says ACM ConsuWijzer.
If you’re still stuck in your contract, some providers charge the remaining months, while others have a moving arrangement (verhuisregeling).
Not keen on comparing energy contracts in a language you’re still learning? Utility Direct helps internationals arrange electricity, gas, water and internet in one place. Its multilingual team aims to arrange your utilities within 24 hours, and its service is free of charge.
You’ll need your own water contract, too
Unless your rent covers water, you’ll also register in your own name with the water company for your new address.
The Netherlands has ten drinking water companies, each covering its own area, and Vewin’s water company map shows which is yours.
Note the water meter reading on the day you get the keys. That’s when the water costs become yours, and water companies such as Vitens ask for it when you register. Do the same at your old home when you hand the keys back.
Did you assume the last tenant’s contracts came with the keys? Share your moving-day utility stories in the comments!