Completed buying - vendor refuses to give final utility reading

ThisIsWeird

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

As above - take photos of the meter readings. Jobbie jobbed.

That would be evidence of what the meter readings are today (or some point in the future when the OP can get to the property), but it sounds like they want some kind of proof of what the meters read on the day of completion (which was "some time ago") and reading between the lines they perhaps know or expect the current meter readings to be somewhat higher than they were at completion.

Nothing much can be done if the vendor is not playing ball, unless they gave some kind of contractually binding agreement to provide completion day meter readings to the OP.

Pretty sure there's a degree of flexibility, as there was when I very recently swapped providers. I was asked for readings, and photos recommended, but there was a few-day window for this.

ss2020jd

I took photos of the meter readings on the last day I was there (a few days before completion) and gave them directly to the utility companies so they could issue final bills. I let them all know when completion date was. The new owners take the readings and provide these to the companies. I’ve now received final bills. I have never once provided readings to the buyer or estate agent. 

ss2020jd

One more thing, the suppliers are usually detailed on the property information form sent  by your solicitor to the buyer and completed by them. Did the solicitor provide you with the details from that form? 

pinkshoes

sasparillo2 said:

I am preparing to move after completing some time ago. The estate agent has confirmed they asked the vendor for final readings but I have realised I never received them. 

The estate agent has told me they never received them and have contacted her and she ‘can’t remember now’ the final readings or the name of the suppliers and has asked the estate agent not to contact her about the matter! 

This is my first house & I have to arrange suppliers quickly for the move. I have no idea why she is withholding this information both from me and her own estate agent who are also not being entirely cooperative. However I do not wish to have a bad relationship or argument with the estate agent as I need to move in quickly. 

Can anyone give advice on this? 

If you completed some time ago then you already have the keys, so you should have just gone in once you completed and taken a photo of the meters.

The vendor would have been WISE to take their own photos on the day they left (to settle their bill with the energy company) but it's up to you to take them once you complete.

I suggest you do this ASAP. It's got nothing to do with the EA or vendor so no need for any discussion with them.

Did you mean that you have EXCHANGED some time ago or COMPLETED? (Exchanged would make more sense)

sasparillo2

Hi guys, one of my panics was that I thought I had packed away the ring binder with paper print outs of the house sale transaction. Luckily after rampaging through this site  I then remembered I had made a folder on my computer of all the digital copies & had the TA6. Doh! So I have the name of the suppliers. Thank you though -without going through it with you I probably wouldn’t have realised I was more organised, in my bid to be extra careful with documentation, than I thought! I guess that’s what happens when you are human! 

Titus_Wadd

Enjoy your new home.  It's a whole new experience and it will feel completely "normal" very soon.  Don't panic, it sounds as though the answer is in your binder or someone here will help you out.  You can still ask questions of your conveyancing solicitor (but they may charge for the advice).  There's always someone here who can steer you if you feel flummoxed.

Be happy in your new home.

youth_leader

Sorry you had this hiccup.  I bought this bungalow from a horrible woman, and she read the gas meter, hundreds over the actual figure I read and submitted when I moved in. At the ends of the day it's annoying but trivia.  Wishing you much happiness in your new home!

ss2020jd

sasparillo2 said:

Hi guys, one of my panics was that I thought I had packed away the ring binder with paper print outs of the house sale transaction. Luckily after rampaging through this site  I then remembered I had made a folder on my computer of all the digital copies & had the TA6. Doh! So I have the name of the suppliers. Thank you though -without going through it with you I probably wouldn’t have realised I was more organised, in my bid to be extra careful with documentation, than I thought! I guess that’s what happens when you are human! 

There’s so much to think about and take in  - it can be overwhelming - but it sounds like you have the information you need. 

Good luck in your new home! 

RHemmings

Unless I've missed something, nobody seems to have asked (and the OP hasn't said) if the property has a smart meter. 

Section62

ThisIsWeird said:

Section62 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

As above - take photos of the meter readings. Jobbie jobbed.

That would be evidence of what the meter readings are today (or some point in the future when the OP can get to the property), but it sounds like they want some kind of proof of what the meters read on the day of completion (which was "some time ago") and reading between the lines they perhaps know or expect the current meter readings to be somewhat higher than they were at completion.

Nothing much can be done if the vendor is not playing ball, unless they gave some kind of contractually binding agreement to provide completion day meter readings to the OP.

Pretty sure there's a degree of flexibility, as there was when I very recently swapped providers. I was asked for readings, and photos recommended, but there was a few-day window for this.

There is, and ultimately the utility company will decide what the readings should have been on a particular date, but if the readings were disputed (i.e. if there had been considerable consumption between completion and the date the pictures were taken) then the value of the pictures taken 'today' is only as evidence of what the readings are 'today'.

I.e. if it is important (which for most people it would be) then get the evidence on the day of completion.