Completed new build, utility hand over?

xsor

Hi there,

Just recently completed! Finally!

My question is, how does the utility stuff hand over goes like?

Does the builder normally have to pay the utility used during construction etc? Or do I have to pay it etc?

(He's gone on holiday for a week - so can't ask him)

Thanks

scottishblondie

The builder pays up to the day you move in, they will have an account in their name from the point the property is connected up. When you move in you take meter readings and set up an account with the existing provider(s) in your own name. You are then free to change to the provider(s) of your choice.

RiversTam

I would also advise that you check the meter serial number is correct too when you get your first bill - as ours wasn't on our new build and it took months to get corrected.

Carrot007

RiversTam wrote: »

I would also advise that you check the meter serial number is correct too when you get your first bill - as ours wasn't on our new build and it took months to get corrected.

Definately do this!

If it's a new estate it will have been registered as a plot before it got a house number. Builders are notorious for never updated plots to numbers and so you end up with the supply for some plot number which matches your house but if for a different property. And then have of them will be corrected by updating the address and half the meter so it's all becomes a big mess.

xsor

So I shouldn't need to pay for anything yet right?

I completed last week, and basically the builder was showing me where the gas meter was and that I needed to submit the reading etc.

A button = gives you the reading
B button = builder said he didn't know.

I read that the B button updates the meter reading..

But he basically sent me a pic of the meter reading before he updated it, but really, I'm meant to submit the reading after he updated it right?

Thanks

G_M

The only Button As and Button Bs I remember were on the old phone boxes!

SquirrelRM

Personally I wouldn’t take the builders word on the reading, I would take my own reading!

RiversTam

On the gas you need to press the button till you see "meter index" and that's the number you need.
On the electric it's "total act import" number or screen H normally.
Haven't worked in utilities in a few years mind so it may have changed!

xsor

RiversTam wrote: »

On the gas you need to press the button till you see "meter index" and that's the number you need.
On the electric it's "total act import" number or screen H normally.
Haven't worked in utilities in a few years mind so it may have changed!

But don't I need the updated index number? Otherwise, it would incur the costs of him/builders using it too, and I'm not sure when was the last time he updated it.

So, I'm just more worried about having to pay for the arrears between him using it and handing it over to me etc.

I'll probably ask him when he gets back, but wanted to know what is the formality and who's responsible up to what point