Moving, where to start with utilities?

Petula

I hope that this is the correct board, it seemed the most likely candidate   We hope to be moving home in the next couple of months.  The house we are buying is/was a reposession and has had all utilities turned off.  

As soon as possible (waiting on exchange) we want to get things turned back on but don't know, really, how to go about it or where to start.  I wanted to use comparison sites to get the best prices but what then?  I can't do anything just yet as it's not 'ours', so do I just wait until after completion - then find our cheapest suppliers and have them connect?  Thank you, we're trying to be prepared.

Mark_d

I would suggest talking to the existing suppliers first.  There's plenty of time to change suppliers in the future.  It's not going to break the bank if you don't have the cheapest suppliers for the first few days.

Farway

Mark_d said:

I would suggest talking to the existing suppliers first.  There's plenty of time to change suppliers in the future.  It's not going to break the bank if you don't have the cheapest suppliers for the first few days.

Also, staying with existing for a wee while will help prevent possible confusion & mix up with billing later on, it happens so just waiting a bit could save a headache

Scot_39

The normal process is to register with the deemed supplier at the property and then move that account to the new supplier of your choice once that account active by contacting new supplier with readings and letting them pull account across.

As that info might be missing given current housing you can use online resources to identify tge suppliers.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/finding-your-energy-supplier-or-network-operator

Or

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/moving-home-your-energy-supply/find-out-who-your-gas-or-electricity-supplier-is/


Are the utilities just switched off consumer side bg say old tennants - or at meters by past supplier or even worse disconnected at street so needing local operator reconnection to mains type level.

Again deemed sitting supllier will normally have records if they did it.

Don't forget other services like water - company fixed by location so easier to find.

And take meter readings with photos if possible (again dont forget water - more than half uk homes now have meters).


Moving suppliers can be done very quickly or wait weeks or months - on svt there isn't much of a difference pricewise anyways - unless it's multirate electric like e7.  But it's unlikely to be that major a saving for a short period of time - or the top of your priorities cf say insurance or moving / pavking unpacking, curtains  etc.

Petula

I didn't realise that there are 'existing' suppliers if everything was shut off, I thought that we would be starting from scratch (no supplier at all).

Would we not have to enter into some sort of contract when having each utility turned back on which would put paid to changing to a cheaper supplier?  

born_again

Also make sure you take readings of ALL meters, as soon as you get in & take photos of them as well for back up proof.

Scot_39

You could put your new future postcode in and see what comes up for gas / electric.

If already exist and registered to supplier - You would then normally have to enter into a supply contract to have a registered account to move away.

But as long as you dont enter a fix term contract you are free to move - literally by contacting new supplier the same day if you want.

I am not at all sure how the repossession impacts things.


You say shut off - but where and by whom.  How long was property empty.

By owner, at isolator / gas shut off valve. By supplier etc.  Have they capped and possibly removed meters if no one been paying the standing charges for a long time etc etc.  Modern smart (electric at least) meters can be disconnected / reconnected remotely etc

I'd have wanted to know and any likely reconnection fees before making an offer.

happyretiree

When I moved I told Virgin Media my moving date and they arranged to get everything connected the day after my move. My helpful contact was Joe. He’s in the Manchester office (I live in Surrey) and his no is (Removed by Forum Team). 

Alnat1

I would get confirmation from the agents/solicitors but would assume "shut off" means turned off at the meters rather than meters and supply removed altogether.

There will still be standing charges being paid to suppliers but no charges for energy used.

QrizB

Petula said:

I didn't realise that there are 'existing' suppliers if everything was shut off, I thought that we would be starting from scratch (no supplier at all).

If the property is still fitted with meters, there will almost certainly be a supplier.

Petula said:

Would we not have to enter into some sort of contract when having each utility turned back on which would put paid to changing to a cheaper supplier?  

You'll start off on the "deemed" contract, which is the standard variable tariff and you'll be free to switch at any time with no notice or penalty.

Gerry1

Petula said:

The house we are buying is/was a reposession and has had all utilities turned off.

Sounds rather worrying.  If there's no heating at all there will be a risk of burst pipes unless everything has been fully drained.  Presumably you'd then need to have the drinking water supply sterilised, ditto any cold tank?  Get good advice before signing on the dotted line.

Even if all the plumbing is OK, check for mould growth which won't do your health any good.