What to do about direct debits?

Cockney

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I will be moving out of my house soon once it is completed (no word yet on a date but I suspect about 6 weeks time ).

I was just wondering what I am supposed to do about all of the direct debits I have for utility bills/sky tv/etc?

I know the lawyers will sort out settling the mortgage, but is it up to me to arragnge to cancel the rest? (I will be moving in my my mum for a month or two while the purchase of my new house completes - long story, don't ask! - so will be cancelling all but personal insurance/car direct debits).

QTPie

Hi, you need to phone up all of the utility companies, Sky, TV licence, council tax etc and inform them of your move and the completion date. For the utilities, you have to do final meter readings ont he day of completion.

QT

tbs624

You need to do this *in writing* and keep copies. You send a letter to each of the suppliers/providers telling them that you are moving and wish to cancel and you must send a copy to your own bank so that they are aware that you have requested the cancellation of the DD.

With the utilities take a note of (& digital photo of) the meter readings when you move out and then contact the companies concerned and ask for a final account to be sent to you at your new address.

sooz

Don't forget that you need to give some companies notice. For phone line it's normally 7 days, but cable & broadband usually need 28days. Check your contracts. Otherwise, you will continue to be charged your notice period even after you are disconnected & have moved.

Icey77

Many direct debits can be cancelled online when using online banking.
Perhaps consider doing this to ensure that the utility companies don't take more than they should and then you can pay the final invoice when it comes through by cheque or by BACS from your online bank account.

tbs624

Icey77 wrote: »

Many direct debits can be cancelled online when using online banking.
Perhaps consider doing this to ensure that the utility companies don't take more than they should and then you can pay the final invoice when it comes through by cheque or by BACS from your online bank account.

Useful point but you *still* have to let the service provider know that you are cancelling your permission for them to deduct money from your account

Icey77

Absolutely, let them know but as the account holder you are in control of whom you allow to debit money from your bank account.

I consider it a good idea to ensure that a direct debit is cancelled so that should someone at "Electricity-R-Us" forgets to do something or fails to save to their system that you wish the DD to be cancelled the money isn't taken anyway.

m_13

I know a lot of people who have used www.iammoving.com to do it all. Never tried it myself but the feedback is good. In fact, some letting agents now use it to notify of change of tenants.

I left my Direct Debits open each time until the final bill was taken. However, Virgin Media cancelled it themselves only to be cross when they couldn't take the money. Took two months to sort out!