How to Buy a House
Utilities Companies
You will need power, gas, water and phone, so find out from the estate agent which firms supply the services, so that you can make them aware that the meters need reading and that you will become responsible for those utilities from that date. If you are buying in a more rural location you might be considering bottled gas or oil fired central heating.
There are many websites offfering utilitis companies and utilities costs comparison and these are great for first time buyers.
If you can find out what current typical bills are, it would help you when you are budgeting. Household bills can be a bit of a nasty shock. The best and cheapest way to pay them is usually via direct debit. A property vendor might help you with local suppliers of gas or oil which you may need to call up for a delivery.
Find out more in our guide to how to buy a house:
How Much Can I Borrow? l Find a Property l Mortgages l Conveyancing Solicitors and Legal costs lStamp Duty l Property Insurance l Home Information Packs l How to Budget l Surveys and Surveyors l Solicitors l Removal Companies l Buying a House at Auction l Buying a Repossessed Property
Most useful and most popular pages on this site:
Look for your First Property l Seek First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice l See our Best First Mortgages Comparison Table l Find out about First Time Buyer Mortgages l Find out How to Buy a House l Learn all about The First Time Buyer Mortgage l Shared Ownership
Useful utilities companies websites:
www.ofwat.gov.uk – regulatory body for water.
www.ofgem.gov.uk – regulatory body for the gas and electricity markets.
www.ofcom.org.uk – regulatory body for communications.