finding electricity & gas provider before moving?

magali

We are in the purchase of our 1st flat.:j
The survey and valuation has been done and we should have the searchs back by next week.

I 've been asking the EA for a month if they could provide me with the prices :gaz ,electricity,water and council tax (as I don't know the band).
After asking more than 3 times they finally gave me the prices but none of the provider's name nor their consumption (I would like to comparate prices before to move for saving ).

My questions are:
- was it their job to give me those informations? (because they said it wasn't)
- how can I find out who are the providers , and wich one would be best value if I don't know the consumption?
- I am asking the EA too early about those informations?
- How long does it take to switch from one provider to another?

silvercar

Its reasonable to ask for prices, after all you need to budget.

Its too early to find out the name of the providers. Wait until your near to exchange.

Bagpuss75

Council Tax bands can be found here.

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/cti_home.htm

char9

I found out the gas and electric service providers from the Property info questionnaire the solicitor gets the sellers to fill in before you exchange.

However I decided to stick with the exisitng ones for a couple of months to see how much the bills were for our household before considering switching.

Council tax, all you need to do is ring up the council tell them the property you are buying and they will tell you how much.

And, I don't know if this is the same everywhere, but in my experience the water tends to be the same for the whole area. Although I may be wrong here...