utilities/phone/ISP etc

stoptheworldIwannagetoff

We will probably exchange and complete on the same day this week. Not the way I would have liked it but under the circumstances there seems no other way. Solicitors have messed around for reasons best known to themselves.

My first question is regarding utilities etc. How can I give notice to end supply/request final statements if we are still in this limbo state? Do I do it on the final day?

We are moving into rented. What happens to the utilities etc at the new place? How/when do I take them over? Also, what about the phone line?

Sorry so many questions but I'm a rental virgin!

cattie

Not sure if it's the same process when going into rented, but sure it can't be too different.

With utilities etc. I think you'll find they want at least 48hrs notice of a move, although I've always given at least 10days. Always take your own readings when vacating the property, even if they have sent round a meter reader to read meters on the same day. Then, when I've arrived at new property, everything has been up & running for me, but again I've taken meter readings as soon as I arrive to ensure I'm only going to be billed for my own consumption. If the suppliers at new place are different to existing ones, then you'll have to notify them seperately about moving into the new property & becoming the bill payer.

Phone, again a simple matter of notifiying phone company beforehand. If a different supplier at new place, ie, current place bt, new place cable, then bt tend to turn up on removal day to connect your line. Not sure about the broadband aspect as I never had broadband prior to living in my current house. I'm sure if one were able to give plenty of notice the line would be enabled before moving in, but as yours is short notice you may possibly have to wait. Why not give them a call to ask?

Good luck anyway.

kingkano

I didnt think BT needed to turn up anymore. usually its a case of flicking a switch to allow calls?? maybe I'm wrong....

The rest cattie says is right, although I'd be careful getting BB on before completion. WHat happens if something goes wrong and you don't complete? (rare maybe) your BB would still be in and you might have a 12mth contract to pay off to cancel it! eek!

cattie

kingkano wrote: »

I didnt think BT needed to turn up anymore. usually its a case of flicking a switch to allow calls?? maybe I'm wrong....
quote]

You're probably not wrong in the normal scheme of things, but after finding that cable tv/phone suppliers tend to just chop off any existing bt wiring to the house then installing theirs, I've learned that bt then need to visit the property to reinstate the wiring if bt is your preferred supplier rather than the cable company. :mad:

kingkano

Indeed that could happen. It might be true if you previous owners 'unbundled' aswell. eeeek.

olly300

Council tax - you tell them 14 days or so before you move in or out. If your council is competent i.e. they have not mucked up your bills you just phone them otherwise it's best to write/go into the town hall and complete a form.

Telephone - is just a case of finding out whether there is a BT line or cable line installed already ( look for the box in the house) and then phoning up the relevant company. They then flick a switch somewhere. BT customer service can be a bit useless as I moved this year and they didn't cut me off in my old place they stated they thought I wanted to move my calls over to BT. They couldn't work out I was cancelling completely as I was living somewhere temporarily. They then also couldn't work out if I had a BT line in my new place as I could only find a cable box. It was discovered that there was a BT point at the back and the cable box was actually a BT box. (I was told by the technician who was called out they are not suppose to chop each others cables up. I think they get away with it because of DIYers do this.)

Gas and electric- make sure you find out from the landlord, letting agent or former tenants who is your supplier. Then take readings as Cattie said. Also leave a note somewhere in your house telling your buyers who supplies your utilities. This saves so much hassle.

Water- contact them by telephone or over the web. Just give them the dates you are moving and the addresses.

Broadband - if you are renting for under a year then it's best to check and find a supplier who doesn't tie you into a year's contract as you will have to pay for it or stick with that company when you move again. Also it maybe quicker to get a new account then move your old account once you have a phone line installed. I've found to set up a new account takes 2 weeks after you give them a phone number but to move an old account takes a month and the billing is a mess. (Virgin Media and Tiscali)