Over one million householders in Britain admit to moving house without paying for their utilities, according to a survey taken by moneysupermarket.com.

The bills are then picked up by the new tenants or create 'ghost' households with no acknowledged bill payer.

Utilities manager at the price comparison website Scott Byrom remarked: "The problem of 'ghost' customers seems to be a common occurrence with younger people who move around frequently and live in urban areas."

The research also showed that seven per cent of households struggle to identify their electricity supplier, but this could possibly be remedied by obtaining a written letter from an estate agent or landlord.

While suppliers can only charge householders for 12 months worth of energy use retrospectively, this could cost the consumer up to £1,200 at today's prices.

Mr Byrom warned of the complications that can arise if consumers go for long periods without paying their bills.

Which? recently called for an investigation into whether it is a breach of consumer regulations for suppliers to allow their customers to incur large debts as a result of not paying bills regularly.

People planning to move house could make the process easier by using self storage facilities.