Making sure that the right utilities are there when you move in is essential. You also need to know from the landlord/letting agent if you are allowed to change the utilities at all or add new ones in. For example you may want to add broadband or cable/sky, but you are likely to need the landlord/letting agent’s approval to do so.

Tenants are usually responsible for all the utility/home service bills. Find out before you move in whether the utilities need connecting and who is paying for them.

Gas and Electricity >

Cable or Sky >

Telephone >

Broadband >

Television licence >

The Landlord may be responsible for the water rates and/or water meter, but whatever the arrangements are the Landlord cannot legally cut off any of the services to make you leave the property

• Record all the meter readings.
• Try to give the utility companies two weeks’ notice, in writing
• Ideally get the companies out to read the meters.

It is easy to forget these simple tasks but they can save a lot of problems later on over who owes what.

Before you move find out more about:

Tenant property checklist >

Rental budget >

Tenancy agreements >

Lettings insurance >

Your rights as a tenant >

Your landlords rights >

Before you move find out more about:

Organise removals >

Get a reliable Man & Van >

Update your address details >