Moving in soon - Utilities

dantheman8t5

Hi,

Sorry, this may be a daft question as a first time buyer. 

I am moving into a house in the next few weeks, or getting the keys at least. I read somewhere that the seller will keep the gas/electric connected, and you have the option to review offers with the existing provider.

Will this remain the case with all other utility providers? Broadband etc?

Thanks in advance 
Daniel

PRAISETHESUN

On the day you take responsibility for the property, read the electricity/gas/water meters and contact the incumbent suppliers to register as the new owner. After you do this you can choose to stay with them or shop around. If you don't let them know you may get charged for the previous occupants usage, and any attempt to switch to another provider will likely fail.

Broadband is slightly different as there's no need to contact the incumbent provider. If the previous occupant didn't disconnect their service they will forcibly take over the line, which takes time, but there's no chance of being charged for their contract.

Irishpearce26

So when you move in you take over the accounts for all utilities i.e. water, gas, electric and council tax. You need to stay connected with the existing provider for 30 days then you can move to a cheaper provider, comparison websites are best to use to find best offer.

Water provider wont change as they cover a region rather than pay for supply.

Broadband you will need to get this sorted as a new customer as when the seller leaves it will be switched off so shop around and find a good deal but I would recommend trying to find out more about the type of line you have in the property etc first.

Good luck and enjoy your new home.

pinkteapot

Moving-in day is chaotic. The thing you must do on that day is read the gas/elec/water meters and write down the readings. The phone calls to the existing suppliers can be done in the next few days after you move in - doesn't need to be on the day if you haven't got time. You phone each one and say you moved into X address on X date, and the meter reading was XXX. They'll open you an account with them.

Gas and elec - they will probably try and talk you into entering a one-year fixed price deal or similar. You can either say yes, or say "no thanks, I want something with no tie-in and I'll review my options". You'll then just go on their more expensive variable rate, but it's worth it so you can take a breather for a few weeks before shopping around for gas/elec. Just be aware of this anyway so you don't accidentally agree to a tied-in contract if it's not what you want.

As above, phone, broadband, Sky TV or cable - anything like that you need to contact companies and set up new accounts/services. You can start contacting them as soon as you've exchanged contracts and arrange for it to be set up on move-in day, or the day after. It can take a week or two for broadband so if exchange and completion are very close together then you may be without broadband for a short time. I just buy extra data for my phone that month and use it as a wifi hotspot. 

dantheman8t5

Thanks very much everyone, really helpful

tealady

I would photograph the meter readings and save them. Bits of paper have a habit of getting lost (or accidentally being put out with the recycling).