The most common move-out mistake

PPL prorates the final bill to the meter-read date, not to your lease-end date. If you set the stop date for the last day of the lease but the new tenant moves in two days early, PPL will not back-date the closure and you will pay for any kWh they consumed. Set the stop date to your actual last day of occupancy (the day you take the keys back to the landlord or hand them to the buyer), then submit a meter photo to lock the read.

Four steps to close your PPL account cleanly

Closure is faster than start-up. The only judgment call is the stop date.

1

Pick the right stop date

Your last day in the home, not the lease-end date. Request it 7 to 40 days ahead.

2

Submit the request

Through My Account → Start, Stop or Move Service, or by phone at 1-800-342-5775.

3

Photograph the meter

On the stop date, snap a dated photo of the kWh display in case PPL bills off an estimate.

4

Provide a forwarding address

PPL mails the final bill (or refund check) there, even if you stay within the service area.

What PPL asks for at closure

Closing an account is lighter than opening one: no credit check, no deposit, no ID verification beyond the existing account holder.

  • 1Your 10-digit PPL account number (top-right of any bill, or visible in My Account).
  • 2The date you want service to stop: your actual last day of occupancy.
  • 3Your forwarding address for the final bill or any refund check.
  • 4A current phone number and email in case PPL needs to confirm the read or refund details.
  • 5Optionally, your new PPL service address if you are simply moving within the territory: PPL transfers the account in one call instead of closing and reopening.

What your final PPL bill looks like

The closeout statement arrives in the mail 2 to 4 weeks after the stop date. It contains three things worth checking.

Prorated usage

Charges run from the last billing-cycle date to the closure date only. Confirm the closing kWh matches your meter photo within a few units.

Deposit refund

If you ever paid a security deposit, the balance (plus accrued interest) is applied to the final bill first. Any surplus is mailed to your forwarding address.

Closing balance

A positive balance means you owe; a negative balance (in parentheses) is your refund. Both must be settled within 30 days to avoid a 1.5% late charge or a collections referral.

Special move-out situations

Four scenarios that change the standard closeout flow.

You are on a competitive supplier contract

Closing the PPL account does not automatically cancel a supplier contract; the contract follows the account. If you are moving within PPL territory, your supplier moves with you (call them to confirm). If you are leaving PPL territory, the contract terminates and an early-termination fee may apply: read the disclosure statement first.

You have more than one PPL account

Each meter is billed as a separate account. Submit a stop-service request for each one; closing one does not affect the others.

The next occupant has not lined up service

Once you close, PPL does not automatically shut the meter unless requested. The address sits "off-cycle" until a new account is opened. The next tenant who flips a breaker still gets power; that consumption is billed to them once they call PPL. Your account is fully closed at your stop date regardless.

You need the meter physically removed

Demolition, long-term vacancy or a wiring overhaul may require meter removal. Call PPL at 1-800-342-5775 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon to Fri to schedule a technician. Allow 5 to 10 business days.

Before you hand over the keys

Five fast checks that avoid a callback to PPL three weeks later.

  • ✓Cancel auto-pay only after the final bill clears, otherwise a refund may bounce into a closed bank account.
  • ✓Forward USPS mail separately. PPL uses the forwarding address you give it, but a USPS Change of Address still catches any stragglers.
  • ✓Unenroll from outage text alerts by texting STOP to 898775 so the new tenant's outages do not ping your phone.
  • ✓Download your usage history from My Account before closure. PA PUC rules let you keep it, but the portal access is revoked.
  • ✓Empty fridges and freezers a day or two before stop date if the next tenant is not moving in immediately; otherwise spoiled food becomes the landlord's problem.
  • ✓Turn off the HVAC system at the thermostat, not at the breaker. Tripping the main breaker also kills the meter signal, which can complicate the final read.

Frequently asked questions

How early can I schedule the stop date?
Up to 40 days in advance. PPL will not back-date a closure, so set the date for your actual last day in the home. If your plans change, call 1-800-342-5775 to move the date earlier or later; both adjustments are free.
Can I close the account retroactively for a past date?
No. PPL closures take effect on the request date or any future date, never in the past. If you forgot to call and the new tenant has consumed power on your meter, you remain liable through the request date; the only remedy is to dispute consumption with PPL using documentation (lease end-date, key-handover photos).
Will my deposit be refunded?
Yes, provided one was on file. Any remaining deposit balance plus accrued interest is applied to the final bill. A net credit is mailed to your forwarding address as a paper check; allow 2 to 4 weeks. Note: most credit-checked customers never paid one, so it does not apply.
Can PPL refuse my stop-service request?
No. The PA PUC Chapter 56 rules require utilities to honor a customer's request to terminate service. The only exception is if you are not the account holder, in which case PPL needs written authorization from whoever signed up. PPL still closes the account even if the final bill is unpaid; the unpaid balance just moves to collections.
I am moving inside PPL territory; should I close or transfer?
Transfer. A single call to 1-800-342-5775 closes the old address and opens the new one on the same 10-digit account number, preserving your payment history, any active competitive-supplier contract and your auto-pay setup. Closing and re-opening triggers a fresh credit check, which can put a deposit back on the table.
What happens to my outage alerts and online account?
Both close with the account. Outage texts stop automatically; for safety, text STOP to 898775 yourself a day after the stop date. My Account access is revoked within 24 hours, which is why downloading your usage history before closing is a good habit.
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