Newbie to moving to France. Advice gratefully received ☺

[Viv]

We are in the process of buying our first property in France. Is it possible to line up the electricity and water/drainage accounts (subject to forwarding the attestation once issued) in advance so we can be operational on the day we complete?.

[mint]

Are you buying through an agent or directly from the owners?

Is the property occupied at present?

Either the agent or the owners will read the meters and inform the utilities company that you are now the new owners.  Sometime after you move in or take possession, the companies will send you your contract for continuation of the supply.

This is what happened both times when we have bought in France.

But do request that this is done![:)]

[EuroTrash]

Yes normally it's seamless, they don't disconnect and reconnect unless they're specifically asked to. But as said, you need to liaise with everybody concerned - the seller, the notaire, the immobilier if there is one and also definitely the utilities companies - to make sure that everybody isn't at cross-purposes and assuming that someone else is doing it, or that the person that is supposed to be doing it, really is.

[NormanH]

It's fine as long as the previous owner left the electricity and water on, and they usually do.

However just sometimes they have to be re-connected for which there is a charge and you sometimes have to be present.

[nectarine]

ask the previous owners to tell the utilities, when they're advising a change of address for themselves, of the new owners details and that you want to take over. The estate agent can also earn their keep by making a phone call as well. It should be seamless, although on the day of handover there will be a water meter reading unless you and the old owner do this together.

[Viv]

Thank you all very much for your advice. I will speak to the agent tomorrow and get him to earn his commission ? rest assured there will be more questions such to follow.