Moving House and energy provision

Fi11ion

Good afternoon all, 

A quick question please:

My partner and I are just about to buy a house together. She rents privately so has accounts and pays for gas/electricity/water. I rent in a friend's house so don't. 

Should we keep and switch hers to the new property, or terminate and start new..??

Thank you fellow forumites. 

Mark_d

If her accounts have exit fees then it might make sense to transfer the accounts to the new property and possibly change into joint names then, if you feel the need.  I don't really think it matters too much what you do.

All the joint bills for our flat come out of my account, with my partner transferring me money each month.  Some things, like home insurance & mortgage are in joint names but I think broadband and energy are just in my name.

If you might split with your partner in the forseeable future then maybe have some bills in your name and some in her name.

WiserMiser

You have to sign up with the existing supplier at your new property, although some suppliers at the old property can arrange this on your behalf.  Give your personal details, set up a DD and take meter readings and photos on the day you take possession (not necessarily the move-in date).   Tell the supplier(s) at the old property in good time, provide your new address and take meter readings and photos on the last day of possession and send the readings.
When your new account is up and running you can then change to any supplier and tariff of your choice.  Send the reading only to the new supplier(s).
Don't be bamboozled by the estate agent into signing up with a specific supplier.  They'd get a kickback and you'd be paying for it via an expensive tariff.
Don't forget the water meter.

Bigphil1474

As above, when you move in you are lumbered with their supplier until you change. I would have a think about who you want on the bills for the energy - if you are likely to deal with any issues then you want your name on the bill, if it's your OH, then get them on. Same with BB/TV, Water, etc. With some companies you can get them to record that both of you can deal with queries - we did with VM. House insurance normally has you both anyway, as will council tax. Only caveat is that it might be easier for her to get signed up for an energy credit account given she has account history, and you don't.