Remember to take meter readings from your gas, electric and water (if you have a water meter) when you move out of, or into a property.

When you leave a property, provide your supplier with meter readings so they can close your account and provide a final bill for you to pay. If you haven't done this and the new tenants don't register with a supplier, you may be liable for their usage. It may only be when your credit rating is impacted and you start to receive debt collectors' letters that you realize your old supplier believes you are still living there and need to pay the bill.

Likewise, when you move into a property, you need to supply the meter reading to the supplier if you know who this is or to the supplier you wish to use. This means a final bill can be prepared, and you will become liable for the fuel from that point onwards, not for any debt the old tenants may have built up.

Either write the meter readings down with the date they are taken and keep them somewhere safe. Alternatively, take pictures of meter screens showing the readings directly on your phone so that should any problems arise in the future, you have proof to supply to the utility company.

If you have a water meter, don't forget to supply Severn Trent with a reading so a final bill can be produced.