Commercial Energy Support for Property Managers
Support for managing electricity and gas contracts across commercial properties, communal areas, vacant premises and multi-site portfolios.
Why Property Management Energy Can Be Complex
Commercial property managers and landlords often oversee multiple supply points, varying tenancy arrangements and a mix of occupied, vacant and communal-area meters. Managing contracts across a portfolio requires careful coordination of renewal dates, meter data and supplier relationships.
Multiple Supply Points
A commercial property portfolio typically includes multiple electricity and gas supply points across different buildings or units. Each supply point has its own MPAN or MPRN, its own contract and its own renewal date, requiring coordinated management.
Communal Area Supplies
Common parts, shared corridors, car parks, lifts, external lighting and shared plant rooms often have their own electricity supply points. These landlord-managed meters require separate contracts and are distinct from individual tenant supplies.
Void and Vacant Properties
When a commercial unit becomes vacant, the energy supply does not automatically cease. Void properties require active management to avoid accumulating charges on out-of-contract or deemed rates. Notifying suppliers promptly and reviewing void supply arrangements is important.
Change of Tenancy
When a tenant moves in or out of a commercial property, the energy supply arrangements need to be reviewed. Meter readings should be taken at the point of change, and responsibility for the supply needs to be clearly established between landlord and incoming or outgoing tenant.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
The division of responsibility for energy contracts between landlord and tenant varies depending on the lease terms. In some arrangements the landlord holds the supply contract and recharges the tenant; in others the tenant contracts directly with a supplier. Understanding the lease position is important before approaching the market.
Staggered Contract End Dates
Across a portfolio, individual supply contracts may have different end dates, making it difficult to manage renewals systematically. Tracking contract end dates and starting the comparison process at the right time for each supply point is essential to avoid out-of-contract situations.
Meter and Site Identification
Accurately identifying which meter serves which area of a property is a prerequisite for any comparison. MPAN and MPRN reference numbers, meter serial numbers and consumption data all need to be matched to the correct supply point before approaching the market.
Data Collection Across a Portfolio
Gathering accurate consumption data, contract end dates and meter information across a large portfolio can be time-consuming. Having a clear record of each supply point is the foundation of an effective portfolio energy review.
Electricity and Gas Considerations for Property Managers
Commercial property managers need to consider both the occupied and unoccupied elements of their portfolio, as well as the distinction between landlord-managed and tenant-managed supplies.
Landlord-Managed Supplies
Supplies for communal areas, shared plant rooms, external lighting and void units are typically the landlord's responsibility. These supplies require active contract management regardless of occupancy levels.
Tenant-Managed Supplies
Where tenants hold their own supply contracts, the landlord's involvement is typically limited to change-of-tenancy processes at the start and end of a lease. Understanding which supplies are tenant-managed helps define the scope of a portfolio review.
Void Property Management
Void commercial units should be reviewed promptly to understand the current supply position, avoid accumulating charges and determine whether the supply should be maintained, reduced or formally managed during the vacancy period.
Half-Hourly Metering
Larger commercial properties or shared plant rooms with a maximum electricity demand above 100kW may be subject to half-hourly metering requirements. Half-hourly metered supplies are priced differently and require accurate half-hourly consumption data for comparison.
Meter Type and Billing Data
The type of meter at each supply point affects which suppliers can quote and what billing options are available. Smart and AMR meters provide more granular consumption data, which can be useful when reviewing usage across a portfolio.
Renewal Timing Across the Portfolio
Starting the comparison process well in advance of each contract end date is important. For a portfolio with multiple supply points, a rolling review programme helps ensure no supply falls out of contract without a replacement arrangement in place.
What Affects Energy Quotations for Commercial Properties
Several factors influence the commercial energy quotations available for property management portfolios. Understanding these helps set realistic expectations when approaching the market.
Annual Consumption per Supply Point
Annual electricity and gas consumption in kWh is the primary driver of unit rate quotations for each supply point. Accurate consumption data — available from a recent bill or the current supplier — is essential for a meaningful comparison.
Number of Supply Points
The total number of supply points in a portfolio affects the complexity and time required to complete a full review. Larger portfolios may benefit from a phased approach, prioritising supplies approaching their contract end dates.
Location and Network Costs
Distribution network charges vary by region and are reflected in unit rates and standing charges. For portfolios spanning multiple locations, network costs will vary between supply points.
Credit Profile
Commercial energy suppliers assess the credit profile of the contracting entity before offering a contract. Property management companies and landlords with a strong credit history may access a broader range of options.
Contract Length
Quotations are typically available for terms of 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months. The rates available for different terms vary depending on wholesale market conditions at the time of quoting.
Void and Low-Consumption Supplies
Void properties and low-consumption communal supplies may have limited options available from some suppliers. Understanding the consumption profile of each supply point helps identify the most appropriate approach for each part of the portfolio.
Practical Considerations for Property Energy Management
While energy costs are influenced by wholesale market conditions outside your control, there are practical steps that may help property managers maintain an effective overview of their portfolio's energy position.
Maintain a Supply Point Register
Keeping an up-to-date record of each supply point — including MPAN, MPRN, current supplier, contract end date and annual consumption — provides the foundation for systematic portfolio management and avoids delays when approaching the market.
Review Contracts Early
Starting the renewal process three to six months before each contract end date gives time to compare options and avoid out-of-contract rates. For portfolios with multiple supply points, a rolling review calendar helps manage this systematically.
Address Void Supplies Promptly
When a commercial unit becomes vacant, reviewing the supply position promptly helps avoid accumulating charges on out-of-contract or deemed rates. Notifying the current supplier and understanding the options for the void period is an important step.
Record Meter Readings at Tenancy Changes
Taking and recording meter readings at the point of a tenancy change helps establish accurate billing boundaries between landlord and tenant. This reduces the risk of billing disputes and helps ensure each party is charged for their own consumption.
Review Communal Area Consumption
Where smart or AMR meters are in place for communal supplies, reviewing consumption data periodically can help identify equipment left running unnecessarily or periods of unexpectedly high usage.
Consider Portfolio Tendering
For larger portfolios, approaching the market for multiple supply points simultaneously — portfolio tendering — can simplify the comparison process. The feasibility and benefits depend on the size and composition of the portfolio.
How Our Portfolio Review Process Works
We follow a structured process to review your portfolio, gather quotations and present your options clearly.
Initial Portfolio Discussion
Contact us by phone, email or the enquiry form below. We will ask for an overview of your portfolio, including the number of supply points, property types and any known contract end dates.
Supply Point Data Collection
We will work with you to gather the information needed for each supply point, including MPAN and MPRN reference numbers, current suppliers, contract end dates and consumption data. Most of this is available on recent energy bills.
Market Approach
We approach a broad panel of UK commercial energy suppliers on your behalf, gathering quotations based on the specific consumption profile and requirements of each supply point.
Options Presented
We present the quotations received in a clear format, explaining the key terms, unit rates, standing charges and contract lengths for each supply point so you can make informed decisions across the portfolio.
Contract Completion
Once you have selected preferred options, we assist with the contract completion process and liaise with the chosen suppliers to ensure a smooth transition for each supply point.
Information Required for a Portfolio Energy Review
To prepare an accurate review for your property portfolio, we will typically need the following information for each supply point. Most of this is available on recent energy bills.
Support for Individual Properties and Large Portfolios
Whether you manage a single commercial property or a large portfolio of buildings, we can assist with reviewing your current energy arrangements and approaching the market on your behalf.
Individual property managers and landlords benefit from the same comparison process as larger portfolio operators. We review your current contracts, consumption data and renewal position before approaching a broad panel of UK commercial energy suppliers on your behalf.
Managing agents and property companies overseeing larger portfolios face additional complexity when coordinating energy contracts across multiple buildings and supply points. We can review each supply point and approach the market on a coordinated basis, helping to manage renewal dates systematically.
If your portfolio includes a mix of occupied units, communal supplies and void properties, please let us know the full picture when making your enquiry so we can take all supply points into account from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Request a Portfolio Energy Review
Our UK-based specialists can review your property portfolio, gather quotations from a broad panel of commercial energy suppliers and present clear options for each supply point.
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