The standard grace period before disconnection is 28 days
If you miss an electricity bill payment, you are not disconnected immediately. Ofgem rules give your supplier 28 working days after the payment due date to send a reminder and start the formal disconnection process. The 28-day clock starts on the bill’s due date, not the date the bill was issued or posted. Your supplier must also send a reminder notice at least 7 days before any disconnection can take place (Ofgem, Standard Licence Condition 27 – Disconnection of Domestic Premises, 2026).
You have 28 working days after the due date before disconnection can start. Ofgem rules require your supplier to send a reminder and final notice during this period, and they must offer a payment plan before cutting power.
- Ofgem gives 28 working days before disconnection starts.
- Suppliers must send a reminder at least 7 days before disconnection.
- Disconnection banned on Fridays, weekends, and bank holidays.
- Debt over £200 can trigger mandatory prepayment meter installation.
- After 30 days, missed payment can affect your credit score.
- The standard grace period before disconnection is 28 days
- Suppliers must follow a strict legal process before cutting power
- What happens after 28 days of non-payment
- Quick numbers, key timeframes and costs for overdue bills
- How to avoid disconnection if your bill is past due
- What to do if your supplier disconnects you unfairly
- How to verify your supplier's disconnection rights
Suppliers must follow a strict legal process before cutting power
Before your supplier can disconnect your electricity, they must follow a three-step process with minimum time gaps between each step. First, they issue a reminder notice. Second, they send a final notice. Third, they deliver a disconnection warning. Each notice must give you a reasonable time to pay or respond. Ofgem rules also prohibit disconnection on a Friday, weekend, bank holiday, or the day before a bank holiday. Throughout this process, your supplier must offer you a payment plan before they proceed with disconnection (Ofgem, The Gas and Electricity (Disconnection) Regulations 2026).
What happens after 28 days of non-payment
Once 30 days have passed since your payment was due, your supplier can register the debt with a credit reference agency. This will affect your credit score and ability to get loans or mortgages. After 28 days, the supplier may apply to a county court for a warrant of entry to install a prepayment meter. Under 2026 rules, prepayment meter installation is mandatory for most debts over £200. This means the supplier can fit a meter that requires you to pay upfront for electricity, even if you do not agree (Ofgem, Prepayment Meter Code of Practice 2026).
Quick numbers, key timeframes and costs for overdue bills
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Days before disconnection starts | 28 working days after due date |
| Average household energy debt (2026) | £1,600 |
| Minimum payment plan amount | Supplier must accept any reasonable offer |
| Days before credit report impact | 30 days |
| Prepayment meter installation threshold | Debts over £200 |
How to avoid disconnection if your bill is past due
Contact your supplier as soon as you realise you cannot pay. Under Ofgem rules, your supplier must offer you a payment plan that you can afford. You do not need to pass a credit check to request a “time to pay” arrangement. If you are over 60, disabled, have young children, or have a medical condition, you can register for the Priority Services Register. This gives you extra protections, including a 14-day delay before disconnection and free access to the supplier’s complaint process (Ofgem, Priority Services Register Guidance 2026).
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, check whether you qualify for the Warm Home Discount or the Energy Company Obligation scheme. These can reduce your bill or help clear arrears. how to apply for the Warm Home Discount in 2026
What to do if your supplier disconnects you unfairly
If your supplier disconnects you without following the 28-day notice period, or on a prohibited day, you can complain to the Energy Ombudsman. Ofgem can fine suppliers up to 10% of their annual turnover for disconnecting customers without following procedure. If the disconnection was unlawful, your supplier must reconnect you within 24 hours. Keep copies of all bills, reminder notices, and correspondence. The Ombudsman’s decision is binding on the supplier but not on you (Energy Ombudsman, Complaint Handling Procedures 2026).
How to verify your supplier’s disconnection rights
All domestic energy suppliers must be licensed by Ofgem. You can check whether your supplier holds a valid licence on the Ofgem Supplier Register online. If your supplier has obtained a warrant to enter your home to install a prepayment meter, that warrant must come from a county court. You can verify the warrant by contacting the court directly. Only TrustMark-registered contractors are allowed to install prepayment meters under warrant (Ofgem, Supplier Licensing Guidance; TrustMark, Energy Metering Standards 2026).
If you are unsure whether your supplier has followed the correct process, contact Citizens Advice consumer service for free, independent guidance. how to complain to the Energy Ombudsman about an unfair disconnection
Frequently Asked Questions
You have 28 working days after the due date before disconnection can start. Ofgem requires your supplier to follow a strict process including a reminder and final notice during this period.
Your supplier will send a reminder notice and then a final notice. After 28 working days, they can start disconnection proceedings or install a prepayment meter for debts over £200, according to Ofgem rules.
No, disconnection is prohibited on Fridays, weekends, bank holidays, and the day before a bank holiday under Ofgem regulations. This gives you extra time to arrange payment.
After 30 days past due, your supplier can register the debt with a credit reference agency. This will impact your credit score and ability to get loans or mortgages.
The average household energy debt in 2026 is £1,600, according to Ofgem data. Many suppliers offer payment plans to help manage arrears before disconnection.
