Moving into a house with no utilities.

[Greencheese]

Hi, when you move into a house that has the gas and electric turned off what do you do?

I know I'll need to ring up some companies or find a good supplier but how long till they turn them on?

Will I be left with no utilities for a few days or does it just come once you sign up?

Thanks.

There may be a label on the meter saying who the utility co is.

Ask the previous occupiers, or the vendor or landlord. Alsi ask who the phone is with. If they are any good they will tell you company and account number, if you ask.

If you have no idea, start with BG for gas, and the local company (e.g. London, Southern, Scottish Hydro, SWEB, SWALEC. you can always switch to a cheaper one later. Possibly the main fuse has been taken out. If the installation is shockingly unsafe they may refuse to reconnect until rectified. But they are not responsible for safety checking.

It is also possible that they have just been turned off at the main switch and you can turn them on again. Take the meter readings first, and write them down, and send to the solicitor, vendor, agent and landlord to help prevent them arguing later. Really you ought to take the readings with them at handover. Also read the water meter if there is one.

Thanks piglet john. That's really useful. The house is in receivership so the person who now owns it now has never even seen the house.

So when we go round for the next viewing ,the one to measure up etc should we take the meter readings then? Is that the norm in this situation?

My husbands an electrician and said it all looks ok, it was rented out before it was taken over so I'm hoping it's all working!

The receiver will have dealt with the outstanding utility bills, and having them cut off, so, in fact, will have the information.

You may also find a letter stuffed behind the meter, or on the doormat, addressed to new occupier. Open it, but don't take it away unless you have already exchanged contracts.

Ahhhh right. Ok, that makes sense. So if for example they had British gas, do I have to use British gas or can I use anyone?

aha, thought this might be a repo. The estate agent should be well versed in what happens and can give you all the contact details you need.

Wait until exchange. Then you need to be pro-active, make phone calls, open accounts and chase.

I wouldn't assume you'll have power, water and gas until you actually confirm they are there. And I also wouldn't 'hope' about anything - get your husband or someone similarly qualified to check properly. If the previous occupiers left unwillingly there may be damage.

Thanks for your replies. There doesn't appear to be damage, the neighbours have told us the tennents 'left in the dead of night' so I expect they cut their losses and legged it. I'll crack on with the agent. Thanks.

you can use any utility and telephone company, but it will be simpler to reinstate whichever company the previous occupiers used. The error rate will be lower.

Transfer of accounts between utility companies works reasonably well, once you have an active account.

Ahhhh right, ok, so go with who the previous people had then I can look at switching. That sounds like a plan then. Thanks

Careful about length of contract if you want to switch soon, so don't sign a 18 month contract

My Mum had this happen, bought a place that had been empty for a few years. Luckily there was some post on the floor inside, one from the Electric company. So she called them and told them she had bought the place, gave them the meter readings and is getting a good deal, price set for a year.
So look and see if theres any post lying about incase it's from the previous occupants utilities company.

When we went to view it both times there was no post atall, I expected there to be at least takeaway menus bit nothing, I wonder if the agent moves them? I'll ask tomorrow about utilities, it only occurred to me today.

And thanks caroldecker yes I'll watch for long contracts.

When you do speak to the relevant utility companies then unless have researched beforehand and have a good idea of your running costs (unlikely) do make sure you are connected on their standard tariffs unless there is no penalty for leaving a contract with them before the contract term is up.

Ime they do try to sign you up unless you state you just want to take the supply over and look into deals/rates at a later date.

Very good point. I don't want to be stuck with them do I. Then I'll need to compare energy tariffs dreading that! But that's a whole new thread ha.