Upon moving in on Friday 19th?

MerseyLad

What do I need to do?

This is our first house and so we have no experience of the processes that take place.

Someone in work told me to take readings of the water, gas and electric metres in the house. But didnt actually offer much more.

Do we have to find out of the people we are buying from what supplier they are with and then inform them we have bought the house and give a reading of the metre for the day we move in? or do the people leaving sort that?

Are we stuck with their suppliers or can we change if we so wish?

Any other moving in tips/advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

ML

honeypop

We just moved into our first house last month so this advice comes from going through the same thing.

When we moved, BT needed 5 working days notice to set up telephone/broadband etc so you would need to sort that out asap unless you are not particularly bothered when it gets put on. You can of course, have these with another supplier!

You can find out who your gas and electric companies are that supply your new house by calling Transco 0870 608 1524 (Gas) and for Electricity supplier it depends where in the country you are on who you call to find it out. Call the suppliers and let them know when you are moving in and they will tell you what to do and when. For us we had a prepay meter and had to get these reset for us before using them so had to get theat done before we actually moved in. Or you can ask the sellers who their current suppliers are. We have stayed with the suppliers they used (on a prepay meter) and taking a note of how much we use on gas/electricity over the next couple of months, then we will have some idea of usage when it comes to comparing suppliers and possibly finding a cheaper one, but for now it is easier to use the original suppliers until we have more info.

Find out your water company and also let them know when you will be moving in, most water companies now need to fit a mater in properties that have just changed hands so that will need to be sorted asap. We got a copy of their water bill from our solicitors, which you may also have got. If not it shouldn't be hard to find your water supplier, it is the same one for every household in the area, you cannot change it to anyone else.

Also let the council know when you will be moving in so they can bill you for council tax appropriately and not have to backdate it and make the payments higher or need to pay in a lump sum, messing up any budget you may have set up for bills etc.

oldandhappy

I can remember we phoned through for our last gas and elec meter readings. We informed the post services for re-directing our mail for a few months.
Informed our building and contents insurance of the changes along with as many other services that we could think of...i.e. AA Breakdown Cover, Credit Card, Bank Statements, Vehicle Insurance and other personal insurances.
We did not inform the water company at the new place they sent us a letter for new details and we did not have to go over to a water meter(2000).
Just a few that I can recall right now...hope it helps...Mrs Happy

MerseyLad

Thanks so far peeps.

Seems a bit of chasing round is needed. Being a 1st time buyer this is all new to me.

MerseyLad

Moved in, took readings. Yet the people who moved out havent left a ist of their suppliers [like they said they would]. So have called Transco, and United utils but they both said I had to wait til monday to speak to that dept.

Oh well....