Every day we use the utilities in our home without even thinking about them. You might wake up and turn off your alarm, unplug your phone, have a shower, fill the kettle, cook some eggs for breakfast on the stove, then sit down and scroll the internet. Moving house means you need to make sure you cancel the plans you have in relation to all of these utilities and set up new plans with providers at your new address. Here’s our guide to help getting you connected.
Which utilities do I need?
When we talk about utilities we are referring to services that power your home – things like water, gas, electricity, and internet. And while every home is unique, there are a lot of common needs to consider when you’re buying a new home.
Gas and electricity
To light up your new home and power the stove or heater, you’ll need to speak with an energy provider. Often gas and electricity are provided by the same company, and you should have no trouble setting up an account. It is worth remembering, however, that not every house needs gas. Some homes have electric stoves and ovens, or induction cooktops, so before you speak to a provider make sure to take a moment to identify the services you need in your new property.
Water
One of the differences between renting and buying is that property owners are responsible for the water supplied to the address. The good news is that the water board usually won’t turn off the water when a property is sold, so you won’t normally have to worry about getting running water turned on. However, you will need to take responsibility for the bills. Your conveyancer should be contacting the council to register your name, and they’ll also work to make sure the seller pays their fair share up until you’re the new legal owner.
For more information about your new home’s water services, you can speak with your conveyancer about any expenses you think the previous owner should have paid, or contact your local council if your question is in relation to the service itself.
Internet providers
Take some time to choose the internet plan that’s right for your needs. Internet providers will have a range of plan options with different benefits and prices. When it comes to choosing your plan, it may depend on how many people are living in your new home, how much time and data they each need online, and what internet speeds you’d like. After you’ve taken a moment to set down your internet requirements you can more easily find and choose the plan that fits your needs.
Get a good deal
We know that moving house can involve quite a lot of admin, but it can also be a great time to get a good deal from utilities providers. As a potential new customer, you have the freedom to shop around and compare deals and prices. You could use this time to try and negotiate a better deal for your power bill and save some money in the process.
If you talk to your current provider about your move, they may be able to offer you a better rate as an incentive to stay with them. Why not take the time to compare deals and find the best one for you.
To save yourself some time and effort head to Property Helper and enjoy and easy way to choose from a range of utility providers. Get free, no-obligation quotes on gas, electricity, and broadband services. It’s absolutely free and easy to use. Visit Property Helper today.
This article is provided for general information purposes only. Its content is current at the date of publication. It is not legal advice and is not tailored to meet your individual needs. You should obtain specialist advice based on your specific circumstances before taking any action concerning the matters discussed in this article.
