Energy bills after moving from parents' place to my newly purchased house

ESMForum

I am currently living with my parents but have recently mortgaged to purchase my own house. I'm not planning to move in yet as the house still needs some work (full rewiring and new furniture etc.). My question is, do I need to start paying for the bills and council tax already? If so would I be paying to the previous supplier for the property?

YBR

Yes, you will be paying the bills, Council Tax etc. as soon as you complete on your purchase. Worth reading the meters and taking photos as soon as you can.

Energy: You will have a deemed contract with the incumbent suppliers, and can initiate a switch as soon as you own it, although it will take over 2 weeks to occur. Very few suppliers are taking on new customers at Standard Variable Tariffs, and you'll need to ring them to get it as they're not available online. Octopus is one such and I'm sure others can let you know who else.

It's possible to look up online who the current suppliers are if you don't already know - somebody will describe how I'm sure ...

Ultrasonic

Council tax you may be able to get a short term exemption for. I think this varies with council and can depend what if any exemption may have been claimed by the previous owner. Contact the council responsible for your property and find out what you need to pay.

Alnat1

Make sure you get meter readings (take pics too) as soon as you get your keys. You should be given details of which company supplies the property, give them a ring and they will take your details and set up your account.

Once it's up and running you can arrange to switch to another supplier but I believe only Octopus and EDF will take on the account at SVT (the capped rates). Other suppliers may be willing to offer you a more expensive fix.

[Deleted User]

Don't forget the water supply as well.  If on a meter in the new place, get a meter reading done when you move in.

Robin9

and don't forget insurance

MWT

Robin9 said:

and don't forget insurance

... which hopefully has been in place since the date of exchange, not just since completion.

... and if not moving in yet do check for any time limits on the period it remains 'unoccupied'.