New house - Gas supply?

iansaunderson

Hi

We are looking at buying a fairly new house in local area, and we're a bit unsure if its on gas. All appliances / heating inside is electric, but on the outide of the house is a gas meter box. We havent opened this as we didnt have a key, but if it has a meter inside, does that mean the property is connected to the mains gas supply? Therefore making gas central heating installation a lot easier?

Thanks

Wywth

iansaunderson wrote: »

Hi

We are looking at buying a fairly new house in local area, and we're a bit unsure if its on gas. All appliances / heating inside is electric, but on the outide of the house is a gas meter box. We havent opened this as we didnt have a key, but if it has a meter inside, does that mean the property is connected to the mains gas supply? Therefore making gas central heating installation a lot easier?

Thanks

Maybe, but why would a fairly new house with a gas supply have all electric heating?
Check with the seller/agent what connected services are included

iansaunderson

We're not sure in all honesty. If I open the box, and it has a meter, then thats connected to the mains. Worse case we just have to get it reconnected to be live service I guess.

Equally, if it isnt connected, I cant understand why a gas meter box would be on the side of the house.

dogshome

The box on the outside of the house could contain the Elec meter, particularly on a newish property

iansaunderson

Thanks for the reply, but there are 2 boxes. One with a "G" on it which tells me its a gas box but obviously unsure as to whats inside

Terrylw1

You need to check who the supplier is with the distributor.

Use this link.

http://www.energylinx.co.uk/independent_gas_transporters.htm

Take readings when you take legal ownership to start your account off with the current supplier.

If you turn out to be "shipperless", a supplier can only bill you from a future registration date (works the same in switching) so take a reading on that date. The distributor can charge but its a grey area and they don't seem to bother for elec. If the distributor charges, be careful as there is little guidance out there on this, however why not pay the contracted rate they would sell to a supplier for since that's the only profit they would have seen anyway...

macman

Why not just ask the agent? It's a fairly basic piece of info that should be contained in the property description.

Terrylw1

macman wrote: »

Why not just ask the agent? It's a fairly basic piece of info that should be contained in the property description.

They should know if they are the developer but if it was developed then handed over, it may rely on the owner checking.

Checking with a distributor is always accurate.

chanz4

Terrylw1 wrote: »

You need to check who the supplier is with the distributor.

Use this link.

http://www.energylinx.co.uk/independent_gas_transporters.htm

Take readings when you take legal ownership to start your account off with the current supplier.

If you turn out to be "shipperless", a supplier can only bill you from a future registration date (works the same in switching) so take a reading on that date. The distributor can charge but its a grey area and they don't seem to bother for elec. If the distributor charges, be careful as there is little guidance out there on this, however why not pay the contracted rate they would sell to a supplier for since that's the only profit they would have seen anyway...

Only exception to the shiperless rule, is that if you were the last supplier prior to you can backdate the registration on behalf of the grid.

Terrylw1

chanz4 wrote: »

Only exception to the shiperless rule, is that if you were the last supplier prior to you can backdate the registration on behalf of the grid.

Do you mean where the MPAN/MPRN has been disconnected in error?

For elec (less aware of gas settlement), other than the above scenario, you can't backdate and you have to open up Trading Disputes. Since the distributor can't get any value to charge without the agents, who are no longer appointed, they would have to collect readings and using the Trading Dispute process to manage a one off bill outside of the settlement process.