Changing utility suppliers in a new house

errolthehamster

I'm shortly completing as a first time buyer and was wondering if anyone had any advice with regards transferring the utilities which the current owners are using.

Energy is EDF and the Phone is supplied by Utility warehouse.

However, price aside, my main concern is the process - do i need (or is it easier) to complete with these existing providers and then change afterwards, or can I organise a switch beforehand.

Thanks for any help offered.

merlinthehappypig

errolthehamster wrote: »

I'm shortly completing as a first time buyer and was wondering if anyone had any advice with regards transferring the utilities which the current owners are using.

Energy is EDF and the Phone is supplied by Utility warehouse.

However, price aside, my main concern is the process - do i need (or is it easier) to complete with these existing providers and then change afterwards, or can I organise a switch beforehand.

Thanks for any help offered.

Personally I'd stay with the existing suppliers and then change once you have moved in.

It's a simple process to swap suppliers, you just ring the new one and they do everything for you, but all companies make mistakes - utility suppliers more than most and there is a risk that trying to change suppliers as well as becoming an new customer might result in one or more of your services not working when you move in.

We tried this with British Gas when we moved last and it was a total disaster.

Move in, unpack, then think about getting the best deal. A few days won't matter.

zebulon

merlinthehappypig wrote: »

We tried this with British Gas when we moved last and it was a total disaster.

:rotfl:
well that's British Gas...
I only had experiences with "Scottish" gas ... :eek:

Viva Scottish Power - efficient bunch of people (although I'm sure people would have disaster stories with them as well - but so far so good for me)

merlinthehappypig

It was Scottish Gas, actually. It became British Gas when we moved. Both were equally useless - we had a £6000+ bill at one stage and a complete mess when we moved in, despite their promises of a 'seamless transfer'.

zebulon

merlinthehappypig wrote: »

It was Scottish Gas, actually. It became British Gas when we moved. Both were equally useless - we had a £6000+ bill at one stage and a complete mess when we moved in, despite their promises of a 'seamless transfer'.

Scottish/British gas are the same - nobody's jealous like that :rolleyes:

(or did you mean from scottish POWER to British Gas ?)

vetfred

We've changed supplier twice - once whilst living in the house and once prior to the move. First time it took 6 weeks to change, second time it took... 6 weeks to change (after the move date) so we continued to pay the existing provider both times for the 6 week periods.

If you compare the tariffs and find one you want, then check to see if you can also get cashback from that company by using a site like quidco.com - I know they offer cashback on BG and Scottish Power and probably a few others too.

Benefits_Blagger

be very careful and viglilant when changing and transferring utility suppliers at a new property.

at my last property, i was given a bill for £300 for the last owners.

rung up NPower, they told me the bill was for the previous tenants however the bill had been transferred to my name "because someone had to pay" despite the bill being entirely composed of service charges while the property was empty for two years, and the icing on the cake ? Npower wernt even the suppliers to property in that time, they never have been ever.

told them, take me to court you dont stand a chance.

I now have the reverse situation from british gas, who are chasing me for the service and usage charges for the same property despite me not living in it and me moving over 2 years ago and there being new tenants in with a different supplier. the icing on the cake on this one ? i was a prepayment customer and so are the new tenants, so there cant be any bills on the property no matter what!

JoJoArmani

There can be bills if the tariff on the ppm meter is not set correctly... people wrongly presume a ppm meter covers your usage. It is a method of paying your bills on a budget - the fact that it turns off when you run out of credit is to ensure you keep up your regular payments.

Beware....

(on the other hand - if you over pay you get a rebate every quater or so - check your statements...)

JoJoArmani

errolthehamster wrote: »

I'm shortly completing as a first time buyer and was wondering if anyone had any advice with regards transferring the utilities which the current owners are using.

Energy is EDF and the Phone is supplied by Utility warehouse.

However, price aside, my main concern is the process - do i need (or is it easier) to complete with these existing providers and then change afterwards, or can I organise a switch beforehand.

Thanks for any help offered.

As soon as you move in take the meter read and call the utl supplier and give them the read and your details. If the previous occs have told their suppliers that they are moving out they suppliers may have written yourself or "the occupier" welcoming you. Check the meter serial numbers and ensure they tally with any bills/or check over the phone when you ring through your read. This will help to highlight any discrepancies with the meters/reads etc.

Best of luck with the move!

webmister22

I'm in a new build and I've been trying to get a meter point referance number since Novemebr when I moved in to get away from British Gas as quickly as possible.

I'd stear clear of them if I was you

Webmister22

JoJoArmani

webmister22 wrote: »

I'm in a new build and I've been trying to get a meter point referance number since Novemebr when I moved in to get away from British Gas as quickly as possible.

I'd stear clear of them if I was you

Webmister22

Bg are not the best - SSE are supposed to be very good.

How have you gone about trying to find your MPRN? (can't think off the top of my head how you can find it out - I know it not on the meter - take it it is the gas meter - I think you have to contact Transco - they hold all the records) Do the meter serial numbers not tally with BG's?