Hi,
My friend got a new house and the vendors have already moved. Settlement has not happened. Does he need to connect the utilities before the settlement for pre settlement inspection? Or do the vendors need to disconnect after ?
Sorry he also mentioned the agent has called to book the pre settlement inspection and said he would turn off the main switch for electricity.
This is in VIC.
Thanks
Vendors have already moved and I believe they have disconnected already. What happens in between ? Who pays for the electricity I mean.
In my experience the person who next connects pays for the little bit between someone disconnecting and the next person connecting.
There is a meter reading at disconnection time. The next meter reading is when the next bill is due - for the next person to connect. The usage is paid between meter readings. If it’s been ages, between services it may be worth getting the new connection to have a meter read from the start date.
In my experience the person who next connects pays for the little bit between someone disconnecting and the next person connecting.
In VIC with smart meters, they are remotely disconnected as soon as someone disconnects the service. So there isn't this 'little' bit as such anymore. Water/Gas have it though, as they are old school meters.
This. It's usually specified in the contract
Does he need to connect the utilities before the settlement for pre settlement inspection?
If you want to check say powered things, then yeah it will need to be connected before hand. In the big picture a few extra days isn't going to break the bank.
Makes sense
That actually doesn't make sense. You cannot get the utilities in your name until you are the actual owner ie. organise for connection on settlement day. I have never heard of the power being actually "turned off" usually the vendor would get a reading and final bill that they have to pay and the power is left on and your bill would start from settlement day when the billing is in your name. There would be little use if any of electricity if no one is living in the property until after settlement and as you aren't responsible until settlement any excess use would be billed to the vendors.
You cannot get the utilities in your name until you are the actual owner
Not true, just ring up and they'll connect whoever is willing to pay at that address. Think renters. I've never been asked to provide ownership or a rental agreement when connecting services, water/gas/power/phone or nbn. Have you?
have never heard of the power being actually "turned off"
See my comment above, in VIC with the smart meters, they are remotely read/disconnected. So yes the power is turned off as soon as someone closes the account and no one is paying. The flip side is, power is restored near instantly when a new account is created as it is all remote.
Other states with old school meters are different for sure.
just to add some context, the vendors have already moved in Dec end and settlement date was supposed to be in mid feb. I think they disconnected for the worst-case scenario. I will talk to energy companies today. get then connected. thanks
Just order the services now with a start date of [insert move in date here].
When the vendors move out a person doesn't come around and shut everything off. The power etc will still be connected.
Tell your "friends" to take photos of the electricity, gas and water meters the day the move in to cross check with their first bills.