Moving flats, how do i go about all bills?

CrazyMeg

Do we need to sort out bills before we move into the new place or do we do it when we get there?

This is the first time I have to sort it out myself so I'm a little confused.

Also, how is it best to work out where to go for the cheapest bills?

macman

What 'bills' did you mean?
For gas and electricity, you will be in a deemed contract with the existing suppliers, so you can't commence a switch until you register with them and submit opening readings (do the latter on day one). Then use any comp site with your estimated annual kWh figures to find the best tariff.
Water: no choice of suppliers, register with the regional supplier.
Council Tax-register with your LA and get on the Electoral Roll at the new address.
Phone and broadband:you'll need to start a new contract with your preferred supplier, unless moving the service from the old address, which you'd have to arrange a few weeks before the move.

matelodave

Make sure you read the gas, water and electricity meters on the day you move in (take photos as well if you can) and notify the suppliers on day one as well just to make sure that you don't end up paying for the previous owner/tenants consumption. You will then be allocated an account number in your name and will be put onto their standard tariff.
Make sure you don't agree to any fixed tariffs until you've looked around to see what going to be cheapest. You can then look around to try and find the best deal and then change suppliers (gas & electric only - you don't have a choice with water)


Try to get into the habit of reading the meters regularly (weekly is ideal, but not less than monthly) and send a monthly reading to your supplier. That way you'll see how much you are using and hopefully you avoid any surprise bills.
It will also help you economise as you'll see the meter readings increasing and give you the opportunity to reduce consumption