Checklist for when you move in

There are a few things that you’ll need to do when you first move into your home. 

Once you’ve ticked off these few jobs, it’ll be much easier to settle into your new home.

  • Contact us to 'uncap' your gas supply. Please call 0330 175 9540 to arrange. 

  • We'll show you how to turn your gas boiler on and how to set the thermostat that controls the heating in your home.

  • If you receive Universal Credit, you'll need to update your new address on your account. On your UC account go to 'Report a Change - where you live'. You'll need these details about your rent: It's charged weekly over 52 weeks, and your service charges are charged weekly.

  • Register with a water supplier, such as Yorkshire Water. 
    You need to register with Yorkshire Water, or whoever supplies your water, to make sure that your bills are correct, otherwise you could end up paying more than you should.

  • Contact your local council about Council Tax. 

    To register with Bradford Council, visit the Bradford Council website

    For any other council, visit the UK Government website

There’s lots more info below to help you when you first move in.

Gas and electric

You don’t have to worry about contacting and registering with gas and electric suppliers, as we have taken care of that for you. 

To help you settle in, there should be some emergency credit on your energy meters on the first day of your move. 

If you have a gas connection, for safety reasons, the gas supply will have been turned off. Please give us a call and we’ll come out to turn on the supply. Call, 0330 175 9540. 

There will be a gas and electricity meter in or around the building where you live. We’ll show you how to read your meters and how to top them up with credit. We’ll also show you how to turn your gas and electricity supply off in an emergency. 

Once you’re settled in, our partners at Energy Angels will call or email you within a few days to check if you need any further help with your electric and gas suppliers.

Water & your boiler

In most of the homes that we provide water to, it is provided by Yorkshire Water. You need to register with Yorkshire Water to make sure that your bills are correct, otherwise you could end up paying more than you should. Visit their website to register your details with them.

Yorkshire Water website

If your water isn’t supplied by Yorkshire Water, you can find your water supplier by visiting the Water.org website.

If you live in a home which has a shared communal water meter, you don’t need to register with the water provider. We’ll include your water bill in any service charges that you pay. 

If your heating and hot water boiler stops working, please report this to our repairs team on 0330 175 9540.

Contents insurance

We insure the structure and fittings of your home, but not your belongings. We strongly recommend that you have contents insurance to help cover the cost of damage to your furniture and other personal belongings. 

When choosing an insurance policy, make sure that you get cover for all events, for example, fires, floods, frost and other hazards including water and gas bursts, broken glass, locks and lost keys.

There’s more information about the importance of content insurance. 

TV Licence

If you watch Live TV you need to make sure you have a TV Licence. If you don't have one, you can be fined £1,000. There are some discounts, such as 50% off for people who are blind and free licences (on application) for people over 75 and receive pension credit. For more information, visit the TV Licence website.

Doctors and dentists

If you're new to the area, it would be a good idea if you could find out where your nearest doctors and dentists are. It's best to register with both your local doctors and dentist straight away, rather than wait until you are ill. 

If you are unsure which doctors and dentist surgeries are in your area you can call the NHS helpline on 111 to find out more or visit the NHS website, you could always ask your neighbours for recommendations.