Buying repo - reconnecting utilities

fox1977

Hi there,

We have just exchanged on a repossession and are due to complete on Friday. As per usual all utilities have been disconnected. Is this something we can turn back on ourselves when we get the keys this week.

I saw the lever to turn the gas back on. I'm not too sure how we go about getting the electricity back on. We have spoken to the supplier and they said we can get an emergency appointment the same day. In the homebuyers survey they could not locate the water stop !!!! (although we do not know how hard they looked!). Is it likely to be on the premises somewhere?

Doozergirl

The stopc.ock for the water is usually outside in the street. You don't really need them to come out. They can be anywhere. We have a house where the stopc.ock is right around the next corner!

Our experience of repossessions is that they have gas/electric pay-meters and we've had to call them out to reconnect. Not sure if you're lucky enough to have metered billing still - always worth checking the fuse box switch if you can get in again beforehand! Beware that you will be charged for that emergency appointment that they so kindly said you can have! You might be better telling a white lie now you've exchanged and say you have completed and make a fresh appointment for completion day. If you haven't completed they won't come out but they don't check either

AMD1981

My gas and electric weren't on pre-payment meters so it was just a case of 'flicking the switch' I did speak to both companies first to advise and supply readings. Speak to your water company. They will tell you where the stopc ock is.

sjcollett

Yes we just turned ours on - we had an issue with the water but that was just an air lock and a £50 visit from the plumber soon sorted that. take photos of the meter reads when you move it just to be sure the utlity companies don;t try and lumber you with any other bills - always good to have proof!

sacred_2

I rang British Gas to ask them to remove the prepayment meteres from my repo, they were happy todo it, even sending me temporary cards so i have some power until they can change the meters over