Setting up utilities

emily377

Hi all,


My partner and I are due to complete on the purchase of our first house next Friday and have a question re setting up utilities. I had planned to just take meter readings as soon as we get the keys and then wait until a day or two after we have moved in/are a little settled to sort out the utilities, but a friend mentioned that the supplies may be cut off if we don't sort this before completion.


I'm mostly thinking of water, gas and electricity. I'm not concerned about sorting broadband just yet (mainly because I've read a couple posts on here where people have arranged this before completion then the supplier cuts the current owner off which causes issues). Can these wait until we are moved in or should I sort it prior to next Friday?


Thanks in advance

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Your friend is talking rubbish - almost nobody gets cut off for gas/electricity these days, and if they do it's a long and drawn out process that involves court.


For gas/elec, just take meter readings when you complete, and contact the incumbent supplier - you will be in a deemed contract with them. As soon as you've given your details, you're free to change suppliers as you would do normally.


Water, there is no choice - just contact regional supplier with a reading.

Guest101

Just to add, it may be worth avoiding the advice of this friend in the future, clearly they like to talk rubbish as if it's fact

pinkteapot

Your friend is talking nonsense and you were spot on. Take meter readings ASAP, but ring when you can. I rang the day after completion, but a few days really wouldn't hurt.

You just phone the existing supplier, say you've taken over the supply, and they'll ask for the date you moved in and your readings and set you up with an account.

If you want to switch to a different supplier, do that when the immediate faff of moving has died down! If you think you might want to switch, ask to go on the standard tariff when you ring the existing supplier. They might try to sell you a fixed deal. While standard will cost more, you can shop around a few weeks later and still fix with the existing supplier then if you decide to stay with them.

emily377

Phew! I suddenly had visions of us finally getting the keys and then having no heating or even worse not being able to make a cup of tea!


Thanks for the quick responses

teffers

emily377 wrote: »

Phew! I suddenly had visions of us finally getting the keys and then having no heating or even worse not being able to make a cup of tea!


Thanks for the quick responses

Hope everything goes great Emily - sure it will

elverson

What you've suggested is fine for the utilities. You should get a letter from the current supplier addressed to 'The Occupier' and you need to give them your details (even if you're switching, as this takes a few weeks to go through).

Council tax for your new place will also be backdated to the date of completion, but with a discount for any vacant days if you don't actually move in on completion day.

scousejen1983

hope this isn't a silly question but how will i know who the existing suppliers are for utilities?

Oakdene

scousejen1983 wrote: »

hope this isn't a silly question but how will i know who the existing suppliers are for utilities?

It should be on a document completed by the seller which is sent to your solicitor who will forward to you

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

http://www.gocompare.com/gas-and-electricity/find-your-supplier/

DaftyDuck

Take pictures of the meter readings if you can... It can save much bother later.

The current supplier will be listed on the fixtures and fittings form. You'll start off on the supplier's " I saw you coming" rate, so get a switch in as soon as you can.