Power, water and connectivity.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ELECTRICITY
The meter type and whose name it is in How it is paid Historical consumption Who is responsible for the connection
WHY THE NAME ON THE ACCOUNT
Debts attach to the connection and to the account holder.
WHAT TO VERIFY BEFORE MOVING IN
That there is no outstanding debt.
HOW
Request a statement or confirmation.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ESTIMATED BILLING
Whether bills are based on readings or estimates.
WHY
Estimated bills are frequently wrong and disputes are difficult.
WHAT TO DO
Record readings yourself, regularly, with photographs.
WHY PHOTOGRAPHS
They evidence the reading and its date.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT SHARED SUPPLY
How consumption is divided.
WHY
Shared meters produce persistent disputes.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT WATER
The source Who maintains it Who pays Whether storage is adequate
WHAT TO CHECK
Whether the storage is clean and covered.
WHY
Contaminated stored water causes illness.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT GENERATORS
Who operates it Hours of operation How fuel is paid for Where it is sited
WHY SITING
Exhaust fumes entering living space kill people.
WHAT TO VERIFY
That any generator is sited outside, ventilated, and not near windows or doors.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT INTERNET
Availability and providers serving the area.
WHY BEFORE COMMITTING
Connectivity varies substantially by location.
