Moving home involves more than just getting your belongings from A to B. You need to ensure your utilities are up and running and the relevant councils know what’s going on for starters. There's a lot to do in a short space of time, so here's our guide to handling utilities to help your move run smoothly - and maybe even save you some money, too.
Electricity and gas
As a tenant, you have the right to move energy supplier should you wish to. As long as your property has its own suppliers, the choice is yours. During the weeks leading up to your move you’re perfectly positioned to look for a supplier upgrade. Once you’ve found one you like and signed up, all you’ll need to do is provide your new and old suppliers will the relevant meter readings and hey presto… you’re up and running on day one.
But be prepared: most new suppliers will automatically put you on their standard tariff, so make sure you ask them to estimate your gas and electricity usage to ensure you get the best tariff to suit you.
While you’re at it, why not consider going green? From windfarm power to carbon offsetting through planting trees, green peace of mind isn’t as difficult to find as you may think. And as with any providers, switching shouldn’t cost you a penny. Look for a clean energy provider and research their credentials. You may be surprised, many green energy companies now offer competitive tariffs too.
Water
You’ll have less choice with water and sewerage as most areas are usually only supplied by one company. Be sure to register with your new supplier in the days leading up to your move, and give meter readings to your new and old suppliers on move day to make sure you only pay for the water you use.
Once you’ve paid your final bill from your old property, you shouldn’t hear from them any more. Setting up a Direct Debit with your new supplier could mean savings for you in the long run too.
Council
It’s important to inform your old and new council of your move both for council tax payments and to ensure you’re on the correct electoral roll. Your tax goes towards rubbish collection, road maintenance, emergency services and local recreation such as libraries and sports centres. Each council has its own system for moving home notifications, but more and more will allow you to complete a form online at the relevant gov.uk website, or email them the details of your move. Phoning is an option, but this can take a while depending on where you live.
TV
With so many options available for TV these days, it can be confusing to know what to choose. Decide which channels you’re interested in and start your research from there. From a practical point of view, it can be helpful to look at what currently exists in your new property. If your new home doesn’t come with satellite dish and you decide you’d like one for Sky or Freesat for example, you will need permission to have it installed. Finding out what the previous occupants were using can help you decide which way to go, as well as looking at what bundles your broadband provider offers.
Phone and broadband
Comparison sites are excellent for finding the best landline and WiFi deals in your exact neighbourhood. Work out what you’re looking for before you start. For example, do you need unlimited broadband? How long a contract are you willing to commit to? What you are using it for will dictate the speeds you need.
If you’re streaming shows off platforms such as Netflix regularly, you’ll benefit from superfast fibre broadband. But if you’re simply checking emails and booking train tickets, you could go for something cheaper. Suppliers are usually more than happy to upgrade you mid-contract if you need to, however downgrading isn’t so simple. Bundles which also include TV can also be a hassle-free way to save money each month.
You can set up your utilities with Goodlord. Just ask your lettings agent if they're using Goodlord Switch, and you can save time and hassle moving your power and water suppliers and notifying the relevant councils. Speak to your agent to find out more.
