Staying Connected

phoenix147

Once a property goes on the market, is it a legal requirement to remain connected with your gas/electricity supplier?

matelodave

No, you can have it disconnected and the meters removed but a future buyer may not be all that impressed if he's got to pay have it reinstated.

dogshome

Whilst the house is being marketed it's Utilities status is unaffected, you can change the Gas/Electricity suppliers if you wish.
When the house is sold the new owners must report their occupancy and the meter readings to the current supplier as soon as possible

J_B

phoenix147 wrote: »

Once a property goes on the market, is it a legal requirement to remain connected with your gas/electricity supplier?

Legally, no, but sensibly ... why would you?


If you are trying to encourage buyers, why put obstacles in their way?


If you are worried about bills, change to a simple 'no standing charge' tariff.

G_M

As above. No legal requirement at all.

Note that typically, properties that are repossessed by a mortgage lender, and put up for sale, have all the utilities switched off/disconnected.

No gas - boiler usually has red tape round it as a warning.

No electricity.
No water - attic tank and central heating all drained down empty. and basins/loos have red tape.

This is for insurance purposes.


But of course it makes a sale harder. Most buyers want to check a boiler works and so on, which is impossible in a repo.