| Moving home has typically been rated second only to | | | | energy supply - shopping around the available suppliers |
| divorce in terms of stress. Not only do you need to | | | | will help put you back in control of your utility spend. |
| plan the logistics for weeks in advance and then | | | | What better time to do it than with the fresh start of |
| manage numerous people (and possibly pets!), as well | | | | your new home?" |
| as the safe transit of your belongings on the day of | | | | Telephone to broadband |
| the move, but you may still be organising your affairs | | | | It's not just your energy supply you need to consider, |
| for weeks after. With so much to think about, it can be | | | | though. Long gone are the days when you would |
| easy to forget things like your utilities. To ensure that | | | | simply shut down your existing telephone line to set up |
| you can put your feet up in your new home as quickly | | | | your new line in your new home. Today, more and |
| as possible, it's worth thinking about your utilities - | | | | more of us also see a broadband connection as vital - |
| including gas, electricity, water, telephone and internet | | | | if you work part or full-time from home, for example, |
| connection - sooner rather than later. If you fail to think | | | | your internet connection will be every bit as important |
| ahead, you might end up paying for utilities on your old | | | | as your gas and electricity supply. After all, any delays |
| address that you are no longer using, while sitting in | | | | in set-up may not just be irritating but could impact |
| your new place still waiting for the essentials to be set | | | | your ability to work. |
| up. You'll have enough on your plate without such | | | | Again, you need to give your broadband provider as |
| additional aggravations. | | | | much notice as possible of your move to ensure a |
| Gas, electricity, water | | | | smooth transition. Most broadband is delivered over an |
| You should tell your electricity, gas and water suppliers | | | | Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and you will |
| at least 48 hours in advance that you are moving. The | | | | need to get BT to set up a line in your new place to |
| supplier will arrange for your meters to be read or ask | | | | enable your ADSL broadband connection. If you live in |
| you to do it so they can work out your final bill. At this | | | | a large town or city, you may be able to look at |
| point, your supplier will ask for your forwarding | | | | alternatives such as cable broadband, but you will need |
| address. | | | | to check out the location and availability of this in |
| Ensure that you keep a note of the readings and the | | | | advance. |
| dates on which they were taken. If you do not agree | | | | If you are still part way through your contract with |
| with your final bills, you will need this information close | | | | your broadband provider, you should be able to |
| at hand. If possible, tell the people moving into your old | | | | continue with your existing contract at your new place, |
| home the name of the gas, electricity and water | | | | without having to start afresh. However, if you are |
| supplier. You could do this by telling your estate agent, | | | | coming to the end of your contract, it may also be |
| landlord or letting agent. Also give them your gas | | | | worth taking a look around the market. With such a |
| 'Meter Point Reference Number' and your 'Electricity | | | | wide selection of broadband deals now available, and |
| Supply Number' - you'll find these on your energy bills. | | | | with the price of internet access falling at the same |
| Once you move into your new property, you will be | | | | time as performance is improving, there has never |
| given a gas and electricity supply under what is known | | | | been a better time to compare providers. |
| as a 'deemed contract'. This means that the gas or | | | | Making things easy |
| electricity suppliers of the previous occupant | | | | All of the above may seem a little daunting considering |
| automatically becomes your supplier at the property. | | | | all the other things you will have to manage when |
| Don't forget to take a gas and electricity meter | | | | moving house. But could help simplify the whole |
| reading on the day you move in, which you should | | | | process. It offers a quick, easy and comprehensive |
| pass on to the supplier as soon as possible, together | | | | comparison of possible gas and electricity suppliers in |
| with all your details. This will allow the supplier to send | | | | the area to which you are moving; if you would like to |
| an accurate first bill. | | | | take this moving opportunity to be more |
| As you move into your new home, you might decide | | | | environmentally friendly, it will even suggest some |
| this is the time to compare and possibly change | | | | 'green' options that may make you feel more |
| suppliers. It's certainly worth doing some homework on | | | | comfortable about your energy usage. BeatThatQuote |
| this, as there are now so many options out there, and | | | | can also compare a wide variety of broadband |
| you could potentially save an awful lot of money, | | | | providers, explaining what kind of service and price you |
| especially if you make the switch as soon as possible | | | | can expect from different suppliers. |
| after your move. Remember that you will need to give | | | | Many of us put up with deals that may not be |
| you existing supplier at least 28 days' notice, though. | | | | cost-efficient, just because it seems easier than |
| "When you are moving you need to ensure you have | | | | switching suppliers. But with so much on offer and |
| your basic utilities set up as soon as possible," said Nick | | | | sites to help you choose the best solution for you, your |
| Tsimbidaros, Marketing Director at "But like many | | | | next house move could prove to be a new beginning |
| people, you may worry about the rising costs of your | | | | in more ways than one. |