When you move into your new home, there are a few important things to sort out to help you settle in smoothly.
Your housing officer and support team can help but we’ve created a simple checklist to help you make sure you’ve done everything you need to:
Getting set up
- Contact your gas, water, and electricity suppliers to set up your energy accounts.
- Take meter readings as soon as you move in (these are usually taken during your tenancy sign-up).
- Contact your local council to set up or change your Council Tax and add yourself to the electoral roll.
- Apply for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support through your local council.
- Find out where your stop tap, fuse box, and trip switch are (your Housing Officer can help if needed).
- Arrange contents insurance for your belongings – we already cover the building itself.
- Re-direct your mail from your old address through the Post Office.
- Set up or update your TV licence.
- If you install a landline, please let us know your new number.
- Tell your doctor, dentist, bank, employer, school, and the DVLA your new address.
Help with furniture
You can find low-cost or free furniture through:
- Charity shops such as the British Heart Foundation
- Grants listed on the Turn2us website
- Your local council (ask about support or assistance loans)
Utilities and home services
When you move into your new home, some of your utilities will already be connected to make things easier for you.
Here’s what you need to know about electricity, gas, water, internet, phone and TV.
Electricity
Your electricity is switched on when you move in.
You can switch to another supplier any time. When setting up your account, your supplier will need:
- Your name and address
- The meter reading and your move-in date
- How you’d like to pay (e.g. direct debit or prepayment). You can ask to have a payment meter fitted, but please let us know first so we can keep this on record.
Gas
If your home has a gas supply, we’ll confirm this at your tenancy sign-up.
You can switch your energy supplier if you prefer.
You can ask your supplier to fit a gas payment meter, if one isn’t already installed.
If your home has a communal gas supply, we’ll let you know — the cost will be included in your service charge.
Gas safety
We’ll give you a Gas Safety Check Record, showing when your appliances were last checked.
You must allow access for your annual gas safety check to keep you and your home safe.
Only Gas Safe engineers are legally allowed to work on gas supplies — never let anyone else do it.
Water supply
Your water will already be connected when you move in.
Contact your water company to let them know:
- Your name and address
- The date you moved in
We’ll tell you if your service charge includes water. If not, your water company will set up your account directly.
Want to save money on your bills?
Ask your water provider about fitting a water meter — it could help reduce your costs.