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Having a bit of a to do!

alipops1986
alipops1986 Posts: 695 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
Evening all!

I complete on my first ever house tomorrow, this was previously a rental property. The vendor of which has been extremely unhelpful with information!

However, i managed to track down the registered provider of the gas and electric. [Southern Electric]. This took two phone calls, as they tried to tell me they didn't provide either to my house at the beginning!

Then, it comes to light that the previous tennant didn't pay their utility bill and are in serious arrears so had been cut off! Thus, until i can fax the company a copy of my ownership [tomorrow] i will have no electric/gas to the property. Once my ownership is confirmed they'll send out an engineer, hopefully the same day!

Anyhow, I have set up a switch to British Gas which will take place 28 days after I have registered with Southern Electic n got the gas/elec flowing again. [I am going on the Web Saver 3 account].

So, my question is:
- Once i have established my ownership of the property and got an account with Southern Electric. What do i need to do?

Am guessin i need to make them aware of my imminent switch so that they dont hem me into a contract with a payment fee to be released from? And provide them with meter readings?

Have i missed or done anything wrong?!

Ali x

Comments

  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 5,498 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If it were me I'd have taken on southern electric for a month, get it all sorted out and then switch to BG otherwise it could get very confusing. I did this with npower and there were no release fees or minimum contract.
  • Vestra
    Vestra Posts: 856 Forumite
    You won't be able to switch to British Gas until the account has been set up by Southern Electric as they will block it due the debt on the old account.

    They only need to see the proof of purchase if you don't have a forwarding address for the previous account or not willing to set up a direct debit. Once they have the account set up it will depending on your area take up to 48 hours to get you reconnected.
  • As long as you registered with Southern as yourself. ( To show its not your debt)

    BG can take the supply.

    Southern will have records of the the previous tennant to trace them... as a energy company ask your previous addresses ect ect.

    Just keep your eye on the transfer you should recieve a welcome pack from BG followed by take over dates the gas and elec will no doubt be on diffrent dates.

    Hope that helps.

    I am BG employee
    His Heart Proved He Was A Red
    Suarez, Suarez
    We Bought The Lad From Amsterdam
    We Know He's Not a Chelsea Fan.
    Fernando Torres = El Judas
  • Eydon
    Eydon Posts: 599 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    I am BG employee

    Brave man :beer:
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