New flat, setting up bills.

shandy1

Hi, I'm due to move in to a flat at the end of the month (renting first time) and I'm just wanting some advice on a few things.

It is a studio flat with electric heating and i was told by the owner i can stay with Scottish Power or swich completely, which is fine, but how soon can i do it. Do I have to wait til I move in or can i set up a cheaper alternative now ready for when i move in?

Also can i purchase a TV licence now or do I have wait until I'm actually in the property?

Any advice and answers will be highly appreciated!

Owain_Moneysaver

You will go onto a default contract with Scottish Power when you move in, for change of occupier. Then you can do a supplier change, which will take a few weeks. Read the meters!

You can tell TV licecing about a house move 3 months before the move date but I don't know if this applies to new licences or only to moving home on an existing licence. You will probably get a reminder pretty quickly if the outgoing tenant moves/cancels their licence.

shandy1

OK thanks for that. So I take it if i do decide to change, I wouldn't pay a fee? I used to be meter reader so checking it shouldn't be a problem!

macman

No fee, because you will be on their standard tariff.

carrots12

you don't pay a fee to change utilities supplier but it can take up to 6 weeks to change from the existing one- so you may have to pay SP for 6 weeks and then the new supplier if you do that.

Check out the cheapest deal for your circumstances - even if you stay with SP you may want to be put on a different tariff.

You usually also need to take on the water and council tax bills.