The vendor has not read the meters before they moved out. How do we know what supplier they use?

[BubblesBuddy]

Neither did the vendor leave the key to the meter cupboard so until a new one arrives, we have not been able to read the meters either! Therefore we are not sure how can we find out who the supplier is. Do we have to wait for the vendor to tell the suppliers that they have moved moved? At the moment the vendor does not have a meter reading so has not paid what they owe either. I have never had this problem before so not sure how to proceed.

Did you not receive a HIP? Home information pack?

Utility company should be named on there.

I'd just break the lock on the cupboard if the key isn't forthcoming

They should have written the name of the supplier on the Property Information Form which was forwarded via your solicitors before you exchanged?

Just call any supplier and give them the meter readings and they'll be able to help you.

Sorry, not meter readings, meter numbers.

You need the meter point reference number.
Call any supplier and they can tell you who the supply is with at the moment.

Some useful info here www.energy-uk.org.uk/customers/how-to-switch-energy-company/find-out-who-your-energy-supplier-is.html , get the meter serial numbers too when you can.

meter cabinets have a standard triangular key

Buy a few, and cup-hooks to hang them on

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=meter+key&LH_PrefLoc=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=meter+key+-radiator&_sacat=0

www.wilko.com/plumbing-accessories/wilko-radiator-and-meter-cupboard-multi-function-key/invt/0343249

www.screwfix.com/p/services-cabinet-key/16428

You can normally buy meter keys. Electricity licks normally have FSB1 (or 2 or 3 etc) stamped on the keyhole. Good hardware shops stock them, whilst gas meter keys are either triangular or square and can be bought in B&Q.

As soon as you get access take dated photos of the meter reading with a visible serial number. Then phone your preferred utility company, tell them the date you moved in and the previous occupants forwarding address.

They will normally consider average usage and apportion the days until you got the reading accordingly. Dont forget water, if you have a meter, though they will normally come and do a read on request.

I don't think you need to know their supplier, just phone supplier you want and set it up and they will take it over. Think they can trace supplier though it was a while back we had this. We also got key from DIY store but new supplier told us what to get.

Found the supplier. Thanks for all the replies. Have sourced another key so hopefully sorted shortly.

Vendor did not redirect mail either! Some people!

for future ref- five mins online and maybe one phone call tells you how to find the supplier. if no key, metet cupboards can be opened with pliers.

write ' not known at this address' in post and put in a postbox. will stop eventually.

HIP are Scotland only, I believe.

have you found the stopcock?