You will have to pay a security deposit before the power is turned on. Connecting the gas is also pretty simple, a matter of calling the gas company and paying a connection fee and security deposit. If you are moving into a room in an established house the gas and electricity are probably already connected, but in the week before you move in you should check out what the deal is with the phone.

In some places there will be one shared line in the living room; in others there will be a line in each room, in which case you will probably have to organize for the line to be activated. If there isn’t a phone line in your room, and you really want one, you will have to organize for a new line to be put in, but remember to get your land- lord or agent’s permission first.

DAD’S TIP

If you can, organize a deal with the previous tenants where they have their electricity and telephone meters read rather than disconnected. This way you should save money on the reconnection fees. Remember to ensure the previous tenants change the names over on the accounts as well.

Tagged: Before You Move, Organise, the Connections