House Moving Process

markwilliams82

We've just bought our first house and have our moving date where keys will be exchanged.

Whats the process now? As in, what do we do with electric, gas, water and telephone/internet companies? Really need some help as dont want to get it wrong for our first time.
When do we ring them to get accounts set up etc?

pawpurrs

If you have exchanged contracts and have a firm completion date, you can start informing all the companies now.

Harry_Powell

I think you just retain the utility companies of the previous owners until you have time to change them, typically 6 weeks after moving in. Make sure they come and read the meters on the day you move in, there can be absolutely no question of who owes what then. Contact your seller to ask for details on their Gas, Electicity and Water suppliers.

markwilliams82

The other week when I got the the Home Information Pack and some more paperwork there was a form filled in by the current owner with all the companies he uses for Gas, Electric etc with all his reference numbers.

So really I just need to organise for the main companies, Gas, Electric and Water to come and read the meters and just ring the rest to say we're moving in?
Do I set up my own account with them all, or use the exisiting reference numbers of the current owner?

Fire_Fox

You must read the meters on the day you move in and you inform the utility companies of the readings and your payment details. It is not usual or necessary for them to come out and read the meters. Make sure you insist upon leaving the standard tariff ASAP as this is the most expensive. Switch supplier at your leisure, but this will take at least four weeks to go through.

Piggles12345

Hey,

Don't forget the 'other' companies (not utilities)that need up-to-date contact details

-TV license (most important)
-Work (I forgot to change my address with work...Oooops!)
-Inland Revenue
-Doctors
-Dentists
-Supermarket (You don't want to miss out on Clubcard vouchers)

http://www.moveme.com/ This is a great website for moving. It lets you list everything that you need to do and even puts it all in a calendar to tell you when you need to do it! And they send you a little box of 'moving essentials' (tea bags, surface cleaner etc.) for the day you move.

Edit: Good luck with the move!

markwilliams82

Thanks, seems a really helpful website.
I've got a big list of companies I need to inform now. But because we're first time buyers everything will be pretty new to us so should involve registering new details with everyone

dogbot

One that hasn't been mentioned: You will need to update your car insurance and any others like breakdown or travel insurance you have.

The new address might be more or less "risky" than the old so the premium might change. You may also be liable for a fee for change of details. For car ins it is a good idea to get some quotes for your new address to waive at your current insurer so you can threaten to cancel and leave. This way you have some bargaining power to see if they will waive the charge or reduce the additional premium. If young, the NCD you might lose by leaving might be worth more than the additional premium though.