Moving into flat...

[rfn]

I'm moving into a flat with a friend in a few weeks time (w/c 18th October). I get back from the Caribbean on the 17th and so need to get most of the planning done beforehand.

I'll be looking to move the electric and gas to the same supplier - not sure who they're with now - but how do I go about this? Leave it until we move in - contact the current suppliers and give meter readings before contacting new supplier - or something else?

Also, we want the internet - cable isn't an option sadly - not in catchment zone, so we need a phone line putting in. There is a socket but I have yet to find out if there is a line connected. If not - do I need to get BT to connect it - or can someone else do it (I have a feeling this could be expensive)!

Thanks in advance....

[B17NNS]

When you move in you will by default become a customer of the current utility suppliers. Once in you are free to ring around and swap supplies. Take meter readings as soon as you get the keys.

No cable means you will need a BT line which will need connecting and then an ISP on top. If you don't intend on using the land line it might be worth investigating mobile broadband. Depending on your location and distance from a suitable mast connection speeds can be pretty good.

[okgo]

BT charge around £100 to activate a line.

Hence we have Virgin, which is also st. You can't win

Good luck.

[northwest monkey]

B17NNS said:

When you move in you will by default become a customer of the current utility suppliers. Once in you are free to ring around and swap supplies. Take meter readings as soon as you get the keys.

No cable means you will need a BT line which will need connecting and then an ISP on top. If you don't intend on using the land line it might be worth investigating mobile broadband. Depending on your location and distance from a suitable mast connection speeds can be pretty good.

Don't just take meter readings, take a photo of the meter readings. Doing this saved me £1000 on a property I bought - the estate agent selling had taken a meter reading when they put the property on the market but failed to notice the night storage heaters were still on. 9 months later I get the keys, gave a meter reading which differed from the one they had been given & I had to prove I hadn't used the electric. Sorted it eventually but was a PITA.

I thought BT charged silly money to install but not to connect?

[rfn]

Thanks for replies guys/gals!

Rang BT yesterday and as there is currently a line there, but it is just "suspended" there is no charge to reactivate. Just need to ring up and organise the direct debit and 2 working days will pass - we'll have a working phone line. Much less painful than I had anticipated.

Thanks for the tips about the electric/gas/water - will do that with dated photos etc.