FTB Setting up Utilities etc.

Cal2051

Apologies is this is in the wrong sub-forum. I have been lurking around the forums over the past few months whilst we have been going through the purchase.

Hoping someone will be able to help me out, I am due to complete next Wednesday but was wondering how to go about setting up utilities broadband etc. I'm not sure what energy supplier is used currently by the vendor (is currently empty as was a rented property) however do I HAVE to use that supplier for a while or can I just call them on the day of moving confirm I won't be using them and then go on a comparison website to get the best deal?

Also does anybody know how long it will take approximately to get broadband set-up and moving and does the current supplier or this service have any bearing?

Thanks in advance

mr_fishbulb

Cal2051 wrote: »

Hoping someone will be able to help me out, I am due to complete next Wednesday but was wondering how to go about setting up utilities broadband etc. I'm not sure what energy supplier is used currently by the vendor (is currently empty as was a rented property) however do I HAVE to use that supplier for a while or can I just call them on the day of moving confirm I won't be using them and then go on a comparison website to get the best deal?

When I moved into my place, I phoned up who I wanted to get my gas and electricity from and they were able to tell me who the current supplier was.

I had to then phone the current supplier and get the account set-up in my name + give them the meter readings from move-in date.

Once I had an account with the current provider, I was able to switch to the one I wanted (along with claiming cashback through Quidco).

Cal2051 wrote: »

Also does anybody know how long it will take approximately to get broadband set-up and moving and does the current supplier or this service have any bearing?

Took me ages although it shouldn't have.

I already had a Sky TV, phone and broadband package from my old place. Sky said I could transfer the contract over to the new one. Great. They would even install a dish and set-up the broadband for free. So I arranged for the satellite guy to come the day after I moved in, and the phone guy the day after that. Phone guy never showed, so I phoned Sky and they said BT had missed the booking and the next time they were free was in 6 weeks! So I had to tether from my phone until I got it set up.

jbainbridge

Yes, you will have to use the incumbent suppliers when you move in. Switch once you are in.

Are you sure the vendors didn't state the providers on the property information form? If not contact the estate agent and ask them to ask the vendor.

When you visit the property next Wednesday - take meter reading straight away (including water if there is a meter). Then contact the companies within a day or so and set up an account.

If you are going to move your phone / broadband contract I would contact your current company and tell them the move date now.

davidmcn

jbainbridge wrote: »

Are you sure the vendors didn't state the providers on the property information form? If not contact the estate agent and ask them to ask the vendor.

If it was rented then the vendor may well not know who the tenant was using. My experience is that there will usually be correspondence arriving from the suppliers so it's easy to figure out.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

You are in a deemed contract with the previous occupants supplier for gas and/or electricity. If you don't know who this is:

http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/who-supplies-my-electricity-and-gas/

You are free to initiate a switch on day 1 of moving in, the switch will take approximately 3 weeks to your chosen supplier. Alternatively, you can choose the cheapest tariff with the incumbent supplier. Make sure you take readings when you move into the property, and supply them to the supplier - this will stop you being billed for any of the previous occupants usage. On the energy sub-forum you'll see examples ad infinitum where people don't do this, and xx months later get hit with a big bill, that they can't disprove.

Water you have to use the regional supplier - call whoever this is in you area.

45002

Cal2051 wrote:

Apologies is this is in the wrong sub-forum. I have been lurking around the forums over the past few months whilst we have been going through the purchase.

Hoping someone will be able to help me out, I am due to complete next Wednesday but was wondering how to go about setting up utilities broadband etc. I'm not sure what energy supplier is used currently by the vendor (is currently empty as was a rented property) however do I HAVE to use that supplier for a while or can I just call them on the day of moving confirm I won't be using them and then go on a comparison website to get the best deal?

Also does anybody know how long it will take approximately to get broadband set-up and moving and does the current supplier or this service have any bearing?

Thanks in advance

You can find out who is supplier by ring one of the numbers up in the below link.

https://www.ukpower.co.uk/who-supplies-my-gas-and-electricity

You can choose who ever you want to supply Gas, Electricity, Broadband and Phone ...

Cal2051

Thanks for all the advice guys! I will make sure to do that initial reading and get a good rate by switching. Cheers!

Cal2051

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Took me ages although it shouldn't have.

I already had a Sky TV, phone and broadband package from my old place. Sky said I could transfer the contract over to the new one. Great. They would even install a dish and set-up the broadband for free. So I arranged for the satellite guy to come the day after I moved in, and the phone guy the day after that. Phone guy never showed, so I phoned Sky and they said BT had missed the booking and the next time they were free was in 6 weeks! So I had to tether from my phone until I got it set up.

Wow, I don't think I could deal with not having internet for six weeks! Hopefully it won't take too long anyone have any idea of a usual amount of time to set this up?

marksoton

Cal2051 wrote: »

Wow, I don't think I could deal with not having internet for six weeks! Hopefully it won't take too long anyone have any idea of a usual amount of time to set this up?

Assuming you already have a suitable phone connection in the building not long at all. Sky delivered my router in 2 days and it was active the following day.

mr_fishbulb

Cal2051 wrote: »

Wow, I don't think I could deal with not having internet for six weeks! Hopefully it won't take too long anyone have any idea of a usual amount of time to set this up?

If the telephone engineer had turned up when he was supposed to (i.e. 2 days after I moved in) then I would have had Internet that day.

gingercordial

Cal2051 wrote: »

Wow, I don't think I could deal with not having internet for six weeks! Hopefully it won't take too long anyone have any idea of a usual amount of time to set this up?

In theory when I called EE to switch my phone line and broadband from one flat to another within the same building (across the corridor, in fact) they were going to do it on our move date, which was ten days from when I called them to request it.

In fact something went wrong at their end, they "didn't finish putting the order through", strung us along for a few more days saying it would "probably" switch on, then eventually had to re-do the request for in another ten working days' time, not possible to do it any sooner. So three weeks without internet all in all. I did get a credit to my account at least for the line rental.

But again in theory it could have been on moving day if they'd been halfway competent.