New Build utility bills - Who's responsible??

Jamesx12345

With a view to buying a new build property and considering the cost of gas & electricity etc, who is legally responsible for the utility bills prior to completing the purchase - The developer or the new owner?
Considering the price of gas and the length of time a property could be waiting to be purchased, it could be that this assumed cost could be significant...

Scudlink

Developer is responsible until the sale is complete.

On the day you move in you'll probably have to sign a form from the developer listing all the utility meter readings to confirm they are correct. Basically, you'll be responsible from the moment you get the keys!

ognum

As with any other property, you solicitor will find out who the utilities are supplied by you contact them after exchange to say you will be taking over property.

On completion read the meter, phone the utility companies you readings, bill starts from then. Water company will come out and read their meter if they have one, council will start CT bill.

ValHaller

ognum wrote: »

.... On completion read the meter, phone the utility companies you readings, bill starts from then.

Agree. Read all meters, gas electricity and water and note the readings in a diary. They may be useful later.

And if you are buying a flat, establish which meters are yours first by actually testing. It is unbelievable the number of crossed meters you get in flats.

Do all of this as your very first act on moving in.

giddypenguin

Yep, that is exactly how it went for us. We were met with a sales rep and a handy man from David Wilson when we got our keys and all three of us went round the meters writing down the numbers and then we all signed the form to say we were happy - they then passed on our details to the energy companies and all sorted hassle free.

Kynthia

ValHaller wrote: »

Agree. Read all meters, gas electricity and water and note the readings in a diary. They may be useful later.

And if you are buying a flat, establish which meters are yours first by actually testing. It is unbelievable the number of crossed meters you get in flats.

Do all of this as your very first act on moving in.

My husband was paying next doors water for four years! :rotfl: He never believed me that his bill was too high until a lot of people moved in next door and the direct debit shot up!

Owain_Moneysaver

Be aware that most new builds won't have telephone lines connected, so you may have to pay for the line to be connected (about £130 unless you find a package)