utility companies/questions

How do I find out which utility companies are in my area (water/elec/gas)? I have a question into the estate agent who needs to check with the landlord about which utilities we have and which ones can be changed but I'd like to maybe find out sooner which basic utils are there.

Also, did you set up any utilities before you signed the lease/got a bank account (the latter we'll do once we're there with the signed lease)?

When we bought our flat we just took over the gas/electricity from the previous owner and we've been pleased with the company, so I haven't even bothered looking into other companies.

If you are renting a flat it might be that you are "forced" to use the company the landlord wants..?

When we bought our flat we just took over the gas/electricity from the previous owner and we've been pleased with the company, so I haven't even bothered looking into other companies.

If you are renting a flat it might be that you are "forced" to use the company the landlord wants..?

yep, i realize for the basics we probably will just use what's there. did you call them to setup anything before you moved in?

Also, for the other "utilities" such as cable,etc *if* we are able to change would this be something we can get ordered with the company before the lease is signed?

We're just very confused about the order to do everything in...

Try www.uswitch.com

Select the service, then enter your postcode.  You might have to enter a few wild guesses about usage etc., but you'll be presented with a list of the suppliers for the area with links to the various packages.

Given the "hiccups" which can occur when changing suppliers though, a lot of people would probably just transfer the existing utility into their name until they got settled, then look around for alternate deals later.

yep, i realize for the basics we probably will just use what's there. did you call them to setup anything before you moved in?

Also, for the other "utilities" such as cable,etc *if* we are able to change would this be something we can get ordered with the company before the lease is signed?

We're just very confused about the order to do everything in...

I asked the previous owner which company they were with and then called the company when we moved in.  It was basically just switching over.  I also made a note of the meter readings when we moved in, so we wouldn't be charged for any of the previous owner's usage. 

I would assume cable is up to you, but because you are leasing a flat, you may need to get the landlord's permission to get a dish installed (if you choose).

In a slightly different vein, when setting up your gas/electric and telephone, if you would prefer online bills MAKE SURE you receive at least one paper bill from a supplier (you will receive them quarterly) because you will be asked a lot for proof of home residence which means you need to show a recent utility bill.

On another note, BT (if you go with them) will only allow one person's name on the bill so it may be best to have a paper bill from gas/electric. Make sure when signing up you put both names on the bill for identity/proof of residence requests. This may sound a bit trivial but you will soon find that every time you turn around (like opening a bank account as just one example), you will be asked to show one.

Also check out their billing policies meaning if you don't opt for direct debit then they may charge you for not signing up. Ex - BT charges £4.50 per billing period if you don't do direct debit.

Thanks guys! I know we'll be doing a meter reading the day we move in and get the keys (at the inventory). It sounds like you guys just handle everything after you move in? Our big thing is Daniel will work from home starting Aug 20th and we need to have broadband by then (unless he's going to go to an internet cafe for a while). We arrive on Aug 6th and will be out of the country on Aug 9-15th (arriving back to stay on the 15th) so its a pretty tight timetable. I think we're sure we're going to use Vonage for our phone.

It sounds like you guys just handle everything after you move in?

That's what a lot of people do.  Assuming that the place hasn't been empty for a long time and services shut off, you'll have water and power when you arrive, so it's not normally a case of there being a big panic to get power turned on just so you can get some light.  Make sure you note the meter readings when you move in so that you don't end up paying for somebody else's usage.

I think we're sure we're going to use Vonage for our phone.

Depending upon where you are (e.g. if you have cable service) then you might have a regular line automatically just to get DSL. 

Do keep in mind as well that Vonage et al rely upon you having power to operate your equipment, something worth considering carefully if you might rely upon a phone for emergencies.  Even having a cellphone is not a guarantee of being able to make an emergency call in such a situation, since a power failure could take out your local cellular station as well.   A plain old telephone on a plain old telephone line will continue working.