First time buyer looking for advice

satkin2

Hi,

I'm due to complete on my first house purchase early next month. I've started looking into utilities, but all of the comparison sites want to know what my current usage is. Obviously I don't know this as I don't live there yet.

I've been searching around trying to find what the requirements are, but have got more confused the more I've read.

The property doesn't have a gas supply as it's in the country, but does have electric on economy 7.

I've seen somewhere that I don't need to do anything right now, just contact the current utility company to tell them my meter reading and that I've moved in, then I can change in a month or two when things are more settled and I know my usage, is this correct? If so, does the same apply for water too?

Any advice on the approach I should take would be really appreciated.

Many thanks

dogshome

YES - It's vital that you contact the current Elec supplier on your move- in day to report your occupancy and the Meter readings, which will be both the Day reading and the Night reading on an ECO7 meter
Once you have the Welcome Pack from that supplier you are free to move to another

Even without a full years history of power consumption, you can start to research for other suppliers prices as soon as you move in
You don't say how big the house is or how many Storage Radiators it has, but if you base your enquiry on 14,000 Kwh a year, split to 3,500 Day & 10,500
Night you will get a fair idea of who gives the best deal for your area

Water - You can't pick and choose your water supplier, you are stuck with the one who supplies that area, but if the house has a water meter you should report it's reading at the same time as you advise the Water Co. of your occupancy

Yorkie1

Some of the comparison sites have, I believe, an option to say "Don't know" when inputting consumption or spend, and then take you to another screen where you input details of the property instead and it estimates the consumption.

As above, when you move in you are on a deemed supply with the existing supplier (details of which should have been provided to you by the sellers in the Property Information Form sent before exchange).

Take all meter readings, note them somewhere permanent (I kept mine until I got the first bill so could re-check them against the bill) and don't forget the water meter, and let the suppliers know.

satkin2

Thanks dogshome and Yorkie1, that makes a lot of sense and it's much clearer to me now. Much appreciated.