Do I pay bills from completion or actual move date, or both?

northernlass29876

I’m completing in mid February moving in mid March so do I tell my energy companies et cetera that I am moving in February or March or do I keep paying both until the first house is empty?

I have an idea I just need clarification.

Brie

You need insurance from the completion date and pay energy from the date you get the keys to the property.  

northernlass29876

Brie said:

You need insurance from the completion date and pay energy from the date you get the keys to the property.  

I got my insurance at exchange lol, was that too early? 

MorningcoffeeIV

Brie said:

You need insurance from the completion date and pay energy from the date you get the keys to the property.  

Almost.

You need insurance from exchange and pay utilities from completion.

Zerforax

northernlass29876 said:

I’m completing in mid February moving in mid March so do I tell my energy companies et cetera that I am moving in February or March or do I keep paying both until the first house is empty?

I have an idea I just need clarification.

The utility bills are your responsibility from completion (as its your house). However if everything is switched off, there should be minimal usage/cost.

northernlass29876 said:

Brie said:

You need insurance from the completion date and pay energy from the date you get the keys to the property.  

I got my insurance at exchange lol, was that too early? 

Sensible to take out buildings insurance from exchange (and some lenders require it). Once you exchange, you are legally bound to buy the house so if it burned down between exchange/completion, your insurance covers you.

Brie

Oops!  I apologise for the error.  

pinkteapot

Between completion and moving-in, you'll pay council tax and energy bills on both your new house, and wherever you're living now. 

When you complete, the first time you visit the house (preferably on completion day), note all meter readings (ideally take photos). Then, contact the existing suppliers and say you've just bought X address and need to open an account. Give them the opening meter reading. This ensures you don't pay for any of the previous owner's usage. Contacting them doesn't have to be on completion day - just do it within a week or so. g the right meter reads is the important thing.

Note that you do have to start with an account with the current supplier, as a switch takes time. You can immediately order a switch if you want - just make sure you don't agree to a contract with a tie-in period with the existing suppliers. You will have to pay the existing suppliers for a short period.

TripleH

If your usage is low to nil, you would only pay the standing charge between completing and moving in. I would look to get a timer and a light on though so the house looks 'occupied at night' even if it's a light showing through a curtain unless your having major work done.

A airfreshner or 2 dotted about the house are good to give it a different smell too.

user1977

Put it this way - if you're not paying the bills for the period between the completion date and whenever you move in, who do you think is?

macman

Go in on day one after completion, take opening reads, and register for gas, electricity and water, unless you want to be paying the vendor's bills. Standing charges will apply for the vacant month.

Jonboy_1984

When we registered for council tax the council asked for date we took ownership and date we moved in (furnished effectively) as two separate pieces of information. They then automatically gave us empty property relief on the days in between. 

Note it is per property, normally up to 30 days, so if the house was empty before completion the previous owner may have claimed it already.