new gas / eletric contract - not switching

MWT

brewerdave said:

Especially if the flat has been empty "for some time" - the "occupier" will presumably owe quite a bit in standing charges and possibly kwh charges if things have been left switched on eg gas boiler ,immersion heater (!!!) , fridge/freezer.

Agreed, the 100% first priority on the day they take possession is to photograph the meters, accept no excuses about access to the meters as it will be driven by an attempt to shift responsibility for recent consumption onto them.

Do not accept anyone else taking the readings for them either, nothing other than direct access is acceptable.

Also if there are multiple meters at the location (flats, etc.) then do a quick test to confirm that the correct meter has been identified.

JeffMason

Thank you all so much. This is incredibly helpful and I will pass all on. I had no idea about how it would be best to sort this out and all this advice will go a long way to making that flat move a lot easier! Thank you again!

JeffMason

Gerry1 said:

Never rely on asking the agent, they may not know, may not care, may have out of date or wrong information, or may dream up incorrect suppliers just to get you off the phone.

It's far quicker and easier  to get accurate information online.  For gas it's Find My Gas Supplier and for electricity it's Find My Network Operator and then check on your DNO's website.

I've got the gas supplier from this link, and it matches what they've been told. I couldn't quite figure out how to pinpoint the electricity supplier, but it's apparently the same as the gas so they can call and check that before we'll need to do further investigtion.

Thanks!

Gerry1

You find out who is your DNO.  It's usually one shown on this map, but there are some pockets of smaller ones, usually a new development, so you need to search with your postcode.

Once you know who your DNO is, you go to their website where there's usually a similar search function that will tell you who your electricity supplier is.

JeffMason

Gerry1 said:

You find out who is your DNO.  It's usually one shown on this map, but there are some pockets of smaller ones, usually a new development, so you need to search with your postcode.

Once you know who your DNO is, you go to their website where there's usually a similar search function that will tell you who your electricity supplier is.

First part worked perfectly. But then the DNO website has no search function to find out who the supplier is. They have a search to check why there has been a power cut in your area, but that's it. I could email or live chat with them and ask perhaps, but it seems easiest to call the gas supplier and ask if they are the electricity supplier too. 

Thanks again!

macman

Who is the DNO?

JeffMason

macman said:

Who is the DNO?

UK Power Networks. 
I figured out the supplier now too - spoke to the gas supplier and it is them.