Procedure for transfering electricity and water account when selling ...

I have hopefully sold our apartment. Can anyone advise me on the procedure for transfering the water and electricity to the new owner. Do they need to read the meters etc on the day of sale ?

Tom ...

Tom

When we bought our lawyer dealt with this as part of the service. They transfered the accounts into our name and set up direct debits at the bank. They apportioned the bills (standing charge days) between buyer and seller and it was concluded at the notary - The meter was read the day before completion. Same for the community charge as well.

Probably depends on where you are, but unless you have digital meters, I don't think the utility companies usually will come out to take a reading. You may be able to yourself and work out who owes what. You can't usually transfer the contracts into somebody else's (the buyer's) name - they would have to do it. But if they don't, the bills will remain in your name and any future debts would be in your name too. The only way to be sure this doesn't happen is to put everything on "baja" (effectively, have the supply cut and your contracts terminated). This means the buyers will have to arrange for reconnection, which seems a bit harsh. Personally, I would allow them a month to get everything changed over, and if after that they haven't done so, I would go ahead and have everything cancelled.