buying house with clean slate for ESB bill

[damson]

When you're buying a house, how do you know there are no outstanding ESB charges etc. on closing? Could you end up buying this kind of debt?

 

[stobear]

If its a new house then the builder will have been liable until you sign over the account. if its a second hand house then try and get the meter number (as opposed to the account number) and call the ESB to make sure the account is cleared

 

[Enaja]

Take a meter reading when you move into the house and ring the ESB and set up the account in your own name from that reading, you are only paying from that reading onwards.

 

[damson]

It's a second hand house.

try and get the meter number (as opposed to the account number) and call the ESB to make sure the account is cleared

Take a meter reading when you move into the house and ring the ESB and set up the account in your own name from that reading, you are only paying from that reading onwards.

Is it sufficient to do this once I've moved in, or is it something to do before closing (as in, could I be held liable for any outstanding bill predating the closing otherwise)?
Sorry - I'm new to all this!

 

[stobear]

You can do this on the day of closing, it that helps put your mind at rest. In case of any dispute, open the meter and take a digital photo of the reader and send an email to the ESB, this should do it!

 

[demoivre]

When you're buying a house, how do you know there are no outstanding ESB charges etc. on closing? Could you end up buying this kind of debt?

Extremely unlikely. Your solicitor will be able to confirm the date you got the key in the event of a dispute so I would do as Enaja says and I can't see a problem.

 

[damson]

Thanks all.