Reconnecting utilities in a reposession?
- Thread starter Jez
- Start date
How does that work with the swapover as it were, will the "movers" team pick up on the fact it should only be £30?
Water probably just needs turning back on at the stopcock. They rarely physically disconnect. Assuming Gas is connected but turned off, the pipes may need checking and bleeding to remove trapped air.
No experience with Electricity or BT but it depends how (and if) they have been disconnected.
No experience with Electricity or BT but it depends how (and if) they have been disconnected.
If your current supplier is the Utility Warehouse then simply call the Home Movers Team and let them take the hassle out of it. Otherwise....
Water - call a local plumber on the phone and book him for moving in day. Explain the situation to him as he will be aware of what is needed and who he will need to contact at the water company - if anyone. You will then be speaking to an expert on the situation rather than some forum nonsense
Electricity - call the local company responsible for the physical supply. If we're talking the Reading area here then call Southern Electric Power Distribution on 0870 9050806. Give the postcode for the new property and explain the reason for your call. Ask them for the MPAS number and the name and telephone number of the current (or last) supplier. Then call that supplier and explain situation quoting the MPAS. Ask if there has been a disconnection (probably not) and ask for a meter reader to attend on the day you take responsibility for the property - which is not necessarily moving in day.
Gas - call this number 0845 601 3048 and do as for electricity but ask for a Meter Point Reference Number instead of MPAS.
Telephone - BT will charge £128 (yes, I thought it was £125 until recently) if the reconnection requires a visit from an engineer (or they say it needs an engineer even if it doesn't). The chances are it just need reconnection at the exchange which costs £25. Or, have the Utility Warehouse take over the line. Reconnection with an engineer visit will be 99.99 and £25 without - and future bills are cheaper. contact me for more info and ask about free calls all week.
If it isn't the Reading area then give the first part of the postcode and I'll check the leccy number for you.
Water - call a local plumber on the phone and book him for moving in day. Explain the situation to him as he will be aware of what is needed and who he will need to contact at the water company - if anyone. You will then be speaking to an expert on the situation rather than some forum nonsense
Electricity - call the local company responsible for the physical supply. If we're talking the Reading area here then call Southern Electric Power Distribution on 0870 9050806. Give the postcode for the new property and explain the reason for your call. Ask them for the MPAS number and the name and telephone number of the current (or last) supplier. Then call that supplier and explain situation quoting the MPAS. Ask if there has been a disconnection (probably not) and ask for a meter reader to attend on the day you take responsibility for the property - which is not necessarily moving in day.
Gas - call this number 0845 601 3048 and do as for electricity but ask for a Meter Point Reference Number instead of MPAS.
Telephone - BT will charge £128 (yes, I thought it was £125 until recently) if the reconnection requires a visit from an engineer (or they say it needs an engineer even if it doesn't). The chances are it just need reconnection at the exchange which costs £25. Or, have the Utility Warehouse take over the line. Reconnection with an engineer visit will be 99.99 and £25 without - and future bills are cheaper. contact me for more info and ask about free calls all week.
If it isn't the Reading area then give the first part of the postcode and I'll check the leccy number for you.
In addition to what 2blue4you mentioned, electricity wise, if there has been a disconnection, then the DNO (thats the company who look after the infrastructure), may require a report on the safety of the electrical installtion in the property (known as a PIR - Periodic Inspection Report) from an electrician (and may or not specify that it should be from a contractor who is a NICEIC approved contractor)... unfortunatly it would have quite a few things put down as limitations in this situation, because there are tests that can only be done with the power on. The report would cost perhaps a couple of hundred quid, and then any remedial work required to correct any serious defects, (which depending on the state of things, could range from nothing at all, to a complete rewire!)
Right, some findings after a rather long time on the phone, and all seems great!
Water - spoke to Thames water, there is a fixed charge of £325 per year for water, i just need to let them know when i will take ownership so they can bill me. The water supply is connected and working as far as they are concerned, it must be turned off internally.
Electrical - Spoke to southern electric who are my supplier here, and they have confirmed that the supply at the new house is active, and that all they will need is proof of purchase of the house and they will wipe the slate clean at the new address and transfer my bill over from here.
Gas - Spoke to british gas, who looked it all up, confirmed that there is an active supply with southern electric currently, and talked me through how to turn on the gas meter myself. Then called southern electric back and they said they can simply tack the gas bill onto my electrical bill, and i will need to give them a reading from both meters when i move in.
Phone - Spoke to BT home movers. They have confirmed that there is a stopped line already connected at the new house, and i can simply transfer completely free of charge from here.
Result
Water - spoke to Thames water, there is a fixed charge of £325 per year for water, i just need to let them know when i will take ownership so they can bill me. The water supply is connected and working as far as they are concerned, it must be turned off internally.
Electrical - Spoke to southern electric who are my supplier here, and they have confirmed that the supply at the new house is active, and that all they will need is proof of purchase of the house and they will wipe the slate clean at the new address and transfer my bill over from here.
Gas - Spoke to british gas, who looked it all up, confirmed that there is an active supply with southern electric currently, and talked me through how to turn on the gas meter myself. Then called southern electric back and they said they can simply tack the gas bill onto my electrical bill, and i will need to give them a reading from both meters when i move in.
Phone - Spoke to BT home movers. They have confirmed that there is a stopped line already connected at the new house, and i can simply transfer completely free of charge from here.
Result