For many UK households, the idea of switching energy suppliers comes with a hidden worry: "Will this affect my credit score?" The good news is that most domestic energy switches do not involve a hard credit check, and many tariffs can be compared and switched without any credit impact at all.
Switches use soft checks only
Credit impact from comparing
UK households with limited credit
Deposit with prepayment
Yes — but not always, and not in the way most people think.
Energy suppliers may use credit checks for risk assessment, not for lending. This is different from applying for a loan or credit card.
Do not affect your credit score. Other lenders cannot see them. You may not even notice they happened.
✅ No impactAppear on your credit file. Used only in specific circumstances. Most domestic energy tariffs avoid them.
⚠️ Can affect scoreMost domestic energy tariffs use soft checks or none at all.
A soft credit check allows a supplier to:
Soft checks do not affect your credit score and other lenders cannot see them.
A hard credit check is more serious and does appear on your credit file.
In energy, hard checks are usually only applied when:
Even then, many suppliers avoid hard checks by offering alternatives.
Usually do not require hard credit checks. Often accept customers regardless of credit history.
Commonly used by renters, people moving home, households avoiding checks.
Because you pay upfront, no credit check is required. No debt risk exists for the supplier.
Widely used by households with poor credit, budgeting needs, temporary accommodation.
Certain fixed tariffs avoid hard checks if you pay by direct debit and have basic payment history.
If credit risk is higher, suppliers may request a refundable deposit.
Monthly billed tariffs without direct debit, high-usage households with no history, accounts with previous unpaid balances.
Even then, many checks are still soft, not hard.
No.
Comparing energy deals:
You can compare freely and safely. A check only happens after you choose a supplier, and even then it may be soft or avoided entirely.
Yes.
In the UK, suppliers cannot refuse supply based solely on credit history.
If credit risk is identified, suppliers may:
But you will still be able to access energy.
Some suppliers replace credit checks with refundable deposits.
For many households, this is preferable to a hard credit check.
When you move home, your previous supplier cannot block supply. You are placed on a deemed tariff initially. Credit checks are uncommon during this stage, and you can switch shortly after moving in, often without any checks at all.
The Ofgem price cap:
Credit checks are about risk — not pricing.
Yes.
Compare tariffs
See prices
Estimate annual costs
without providing:
UtilityKing allows comparison without pressure or unnecessary data collection.
Avoid unnecessary credit activity
First-time bill payers
People with past credit issues
Short-term accommodation
Avoid unnecessary checks
They provide energy access without financial stress.
UtilityKing clearly indicates tariffs that may require checks, prioritises no-credit-check and low-risk options, explains deposits and conditions upfront, and allows browsing without contact details. The goal is access, not exclusion.
No, comparison does not, and most switches use soft checks or none at all.
They must still supply energy, though tariff options may vary (prepayment, deposits, etc).
No, many standard and fixed tariffs also avoid hard checks. Prepayment is one of several options.
No. Deposits are not reported to credit agencies and have no impact on your credit score.
Yes — switching is always allowed. You can move to better tariffs once your credit improves.
Most do, but availability varies. Standard variable and prepayment tariffs are widely available without checks.
In 2026, most energy switches do not involve hard credit checks, comparison never affects your credit score, and alternatives exist for every credit situation.
The biggest mistake is not comparing at all.
Switch confidently, without risking your credit score.
🔓 NO CREDIT CHECK CHECKLIST
No contact details required to browse • No credit check options • Ofgem accredited