Utilities - From previous owner to me?

osaddict

Hello everyone,

I'll hopefully be completing on a property this time next week. One of the first things I'll need to do is get utilities on the go.

I've never done this before so I have no idea how to proceed. I can see I'd need to take meter readings for Gas and Electric (I believe they don't have a water meter).

Would I just call up the provider (First Utility in the case of Gas and Electric) and tell them the readings? - Would I have to take out a contract with this provider?

Ideally I'd be wanting to start my own contracts online to get cashback and to choose my own providers (I may not want to go with First Utiulity).

Water wise am I correct in saying you're tied to the provider due to them having a monopoly so it's them or nobody? But you have the choice between meter or no meter?

What about for phone lines - how do I make sure I'm not sent a bill for the previous occupants calls and internet?

I've never done anything like this before so I'm a bit lost - I've had a look around and I can't seem to find answers to my questions - mainly - can I switch provider instantly?

Any help much appreciated! Thanks!

libf

You'll need to give the current supplier your details along with the readings, to pay for usage before the switch takes affect, but then you're free to swap if you like for gas and electric.

You're correct that you cannot switch water company, but you can ask them about having a meter fitter. Some may charge for this though.

Phone and internet should have been completely cancelled by the previous occupier and you will need to start your own contract for these.

Oompa

Hi there. I've just been through this, and I have some advice. The previous owners are supposed to alert all utilites (gas, elec. and water) that they are leaving. They are also supposed to give a "final reading" so they're sent a final bill.

When you move in, you'll notice that their previous providers will start sending you letters addressed to The Occupier. This obviously means they have told the provider they've moved.

However - and this is where I went wrong - make sure you take a reading yourself of all utilities. Trent Water might try and bill you for the whole year like they did with me. Don't do it, but instead there's the option for them to come out and install a water meter. I think that's better and it's the option I went for (others may disagree or have other nuggets of advice).

In the meantime, go the Utilities section of this website and Martin has some good advice in terms of the cheapest current providers. You may have to join the Energy Club there is. From there you should have a good idea of what kind of provider you want to join and what tariff (how long you want to be fixed for, etc.)

You'll then have to put aside half of your week trying to call / get through to these providers to set up a new service.

It usually takes about 6 weeks for the transition to occur. Basically, whichever new provider you use will inform First Utility (check this) that you'll be moving service and that's about all there is to it.

Just make sure you try your best to locate the water meter and, of course, to take readings on the day of completion.

I hope that helps.

osaddict

Thanks for the replies guys. It seems I can forget about telephony and Internet for now then?

In terms of Gas and Electricity I can take readings on day one and call First Utility. What I don't understand is what package or tarrif I would then be on? I don't want to be forced into going either them for a year or something as they may not be the cheapest. Does this mean I may have 6 weeks on some dodgy expensive tariff? I don't really follow this part.

Water wise I guess I can just call the water board and say I am the occupier as of x and they should bill me only from then on?

Oompa

They will put you on a standard tariff. You won't be tied to First Utility. Just find new providers and sign up with them They will handle the rest. It just takes about six weeks for the supply to change over.

By the way, it's possible for you to use separate suppliers for gas and elec, but I think many people use a dual fuel tariff with one supplier because it's "easier" and more "convenient". As to how truthful that is in reality, I don't know. Anyway, just a heads up that you don't 'have to' use the same company for electricity and gas.

AlexMac

In our experience, it's really straightforward; take readings obviously, but down here, our former energy providers (mostly British Gas) have never stressed about or challenged a few units difference between old and new account-holders' reports. And in practice, they don't cut off supplies as people move out, but just write to 'the Occupier' as per the post above. So if cashflow's tight you could be naughty and delay for a few weeks; it won't bankrupt First Utility!

I think the convention (again, at least with BG down here) is that you must go with the old provider and can't switch for the first few weeks, but even if you do end up on standard tarriff (because to put you on a better one they'll probably want you to commit for a set period) it won't be for long so not too too injurious.

As regards water, whether or not there is a meter (and if so, its location) should have been a question on the standard written pre-sale enquiries asked by your solicitor. Not a big deal either way, although reading one is a bit trickier (ours is beneatha little circular manhole cover outside). If local experience is anything to go by, you cannot get rid of a meter is there is one, but you can request one if not. Locally, Thames Water are forcing meters on neighbours in the interests of water saving. You can't really objject; my neighbour tried, and was told that if he did, they'd put him on a punitive 'denial of meter tarrif' and bump his bill up to £600 pa; ours, with a meter, is £350-£450 pa (but was twice that in our 1st year here as we had an unseen leak!)

Anyway, enjoy your new home

Oompa

osaddict wrote: »

Water wise I guess I can just call the water board and say I am the occupier as of x and they should bill me only from then on?

Yes, just tell them the date the property is yours legally, and that you'd like a meter putting in. They'll send someone out to see if you can have a meter installed. If you don't want a meter Seven Trent (in my case it was ST), will put you on a standard tariff, and try to bill you for a whole year in one go.

rosyw

With regards to phone & internet - once you've exchanged contracts and have a firm completion date you can contact your preferred supplier and ask to be connected on the date you move in, shouldn't be a problem if the line is already there, unlike my last move when I had to wait for a month for them to put in another telegraph pole

westv

Water board? How very 20th century.

osaddict

Well that should go well with my stacks of vinyl I'll be moving in ha ha!

kev25v6

A photo of the meter reading is good to keep in case of any problems with the previous owner not sending the correct figures over for their final bill.