Moving into Apartment, When Will Previous Owner's Electricity Get Cut?

Cheese86 on 14/06/2016 - 16:13

I'm moving into an apartment this weekend and have arranged for someone to get the tiling done during this week, starting tomorrow. (We arranged this only yesterday)
Settlement was today and I'm going to assume that the previous owner has contacted the electricity provider to end his contract today.
I'm worried about whether the tiling guys will have access to electricity tomorrow. Someone told me there is a buffer and that electricity will STILL be available for a while after a contract ends.
Is this true?

Even if I call a provider today, I doubt they'll get it done in time…

Bonus question: Anyone know good electricity/gas deals?

Thanks all!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • nocure on 14/06/2016 - 16:27
    +3

    Yes..there can be a small window without a power supply. As a bond cleaner, many times i have arrived at a job only to find no power and no water. Best advise is to grab a 25 mtr extension cord from bunnings ($19) just as a back up.

    • good grape on 14/06/2016 - 17:00

      how did you manage to complete the job with no power and no water?

      • nocure on 14/06/2016 - 17:27

        Neighbours

        • Cheese86 on 14/06/2016 - 17:57

          Were they reluctant about it? I can't imagine some neighbours being very happy about giving away electricity. haha

        • thatonethere on 14/06/2016 - 18:00
          +1

          @Cheese86: you can often find power outlets in the corridor - or in the ceiling cavity.

        • Cheese86 on 14/06/2016 - 23:37

          @thatonethere: Yeah, I'm hoping that's how they'll get it if there's none in the apartment. :)

  • scrimshaw on 14/06/2016 - 16:28
    +2

    Electricy / gas prices are so damn hard to compare you'd normally have to get some company to compare it for you.

    you might be tempted to use the iSelect website (it's popped up before and you will stumble on them on Google searches) but just a warning

    Do not give them your personal phone number. They'll call you relentlessly for weeks on end. Use a throwaway prepaid SIM.

  • Cheese86 on 14/06/2016 - 16:52

    Nocure and scrimshaw, thanks for the advice, guys.

    We've asked the tilers to bring an extension cord just in case.
    As for getting our own provider, we've found someone so all should be good! :)

  • catbrain on 14/06/2016 - 16:54
    +1

    That's a big assumption, that the power is still connected. When did the previous owner move out? Why would they keep the power connected when they are not living there? I know I wouldn't. If settlement was today then you should have the keys already - go around and find out if the power is still connected.

    It could also take more than an extension cord to get enough light into the bathroom, if there is no power and no external windows in the bathroom.

    • Cheese86 on 14/06/2016 - 16:58

      We had a final inspection on Saturday and electricity was still working.
      Yeah, I'll pop by and have a check again.

      Thanks!

  • xoom on 14/06/2016 - 19:04
    +1

    When i just moved in to my apartment my tiler was at my place tiling of all things. Go figure. We lost power. A quick phone call to the power company and i was signed up. I guess the owner previous stopped paying since he no longer owns the place. He sold it to me.. Didnt take long to have power back though. Maybe a couple of hours.

  • KaTst3R on 14/06/2016 - 19:14
    +1

    Apartments usually have electric wall ports in the corridor that the building cleaners will use. So just get an extension cord to leech off the building's electricity temporarily.

  • Euphemistic on 15/06/2016 - 07:21
    +2

    I've moved house a couple of times. Each time I called my provider and said we were moving and to stop my supply at the old place and connect at the new. Each time the power has still been on at the old house for a few weeks despite our bill having been finalised. In my experience they just read the meter, but don't actually turn off the power when you leave.

    Actually now I think about it , they probably don't even read the meter, just guess what it is!

    • samcro on 16/06/2016 - 10:03

      Exactly what they do. If a new customer has signed up with a retailer, the network will leave the power connected but turn the main switch off for safety. Even if no one is scheduled to move in, they generally leave it on for a couple of weeks in case someone does. It's so they don't have to go out there again and reconnect it. I used to work at Essential Energy. May be different rules in other states.

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