Where to call after moving for bills and services...

So...
Where do we call right after moving in to a new place, in order to get such basic services such as gas and electricity up and running asap?   And how exactly do we start paying council tax and all those things...   We got no info from the agent, he said it was better to ask to prior/current tenants and coordinate with them.   And so we've sent our questions to them...   I'm guessing and wondering if it's as easy as calling ConEd and telling them you're the new tenants at such address etc...  What else/proof would you need to show indeed that you are the new person living there and the prior tenant has moved out...
Anything to watch out, like making sure we take a reading of the meters and making sure were not paying for old/due balances etc?  Plus I know there's service provider choices, but we dont have much time to go compare, so I guess any would do, unless people have preferences on servicers to stay away from etc 

Thanks a lot!

An easy way to find out what providers serve the area is to use a site like http://www.uswitch.com/ - give them your post code and they'll give you the options.

You're right about noting down the meter readings, when you pick a service provider you can give them the readings when you sign up.  If you say you've just moved in they won't need evidence or anything, they're used to how things work.

You should also tell the council you've moved in and they'll send you details about bill etc. (they might do it automatically as the outgoing tenants will have contacted them to cancel their bills but it's easier in the long run to make sure.)  The actual procedure varies, sometimes you can do it online, all the details will be on the council website.  That should be easy to find via google but the addresses are of the form www.[whereilive].gov.uk

You should definitely take a note of all meter readings (electricity, gas, and water, if applicable) on the day you move in.  Remember that some electricity meters have multiple readings for day & night usage, so be sure to read both dials (or push the button on newer digital meters to step through the various readouts).

If you think you are entitled to any council-tax discounts (low income, 25% single-person occupancy etc.), make sure you claim them as soon as you move in.   Councils will allow backdating of these in certain circumstances, but they can be very awkward about it and refuse if they don't think you "showed good cause as to why you did not claim earlier."