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What to do in a home power cut
A power cut at home is stressful, but there are a few simple things to do when the electricity goes out. Check your fuse box to make sure it's not just your home Check your DNO's website Call 105,...

How Christmas TV became a UK tradition & what to watch in 2024
Since 1957 Christmas TV has been almost as big a part of festive celebrations as carols, presents or even a turkey dinner. In 2020, the average Brit spent 24 hours and 45 minutes watching TV in...

Do I need a TV licence in the UK? (Updated 2024)
Do I need a TV licence? It's a question we hear from those moving home in the UK on a daily basis. TV licensing sends regular reminders to homes without a licence to remind them to register for one....

How much does it cost to get keys cut?
Are you paying too much to get keys cut? A spare key or two can prove invaluable if you get locked out of your home, but that doesn't mean you should break the bank. The cost of getting a typical...

7 unexpected bills that add to the cost of moving home
There are so many pieces that go into the cost of moving home that it's easy to forget some. However, these unexpected expenses can add hundreds of pounds to your moving bills. When you're budgeting...

Relocating with pets? Here’s 9 things you need to know
Moving internationally means pulling off dozens of complicated and important manoeuvrers in order, and when you're relocating with your pets it adds a new set of concerns. More than half of the...

The unexpected cost of downsizing when you move
A quarter of UK homeowners want to downsize when they retire, but 22% say that the cost of downsizing will make it impossible. Downsizing means moving to a smaller property, usually to save money,...

How to defrost a freezer (and save on your bills)
Here's how to defrost your freezer to help it run at maximum efficiency, and keep your electricity bills down. Frost building up in your freezer doesn't just limit the amount of food you can fit...
Energy

How you can get free electricity from Octopus Energy
Free electricity - it sounds too good to be true! Well, that's what Octopus Energy are offering their customers through their 'Octopus Power-Ups' scheme. There are a few conditions for joining the...

Octopus Energy offers support after winter fuel payment cuts
After cuts to those eligible for the winter fuel payment were confirmed in July, many of the UK's most vulnerable people were left wondering how they would pay for fuel this winter. The cuts were...

Beat the heat (without breaking the bank) this summer
We're celebrating that heatwave season has finally arrived in the UK, but trying to beat the heat can leave you with a scary electric bill. While the hot weather will mean savings on heating,...

Utility bills in the UK: how are they calculated?
Whether you own or rent a property in the UK, it's important to understand how your utility bills are calculated. Utility bills refer to the various charges that you incur for the services at your...
Broadband & TV

Will you face a broadband price rise on April 1st?
Millions of households across the UK are facing a mid-contract broadband price rise on March 31st and April 1st. We took a look at how much bills are going up, as well as which providers won't be...

Why 2G and 3G smart meters are going to stop working
Why are the owners of 3G smart meters losing service? Some of the UK's earliest smart meter adopters could lose their smart meter functionality in the coming years as 2G and 3G mobile networks are...

Which is the best broadband supplier for customer service?
We're all about helping people find the best broadband supplier. We've helped thousands of movers set up their perfect packages. Along the way, we've learned that the best choice for broadband can...

Is it cheaper to get broadband without a landline?
Are you looking to set up broadband without a landline? UK internet used to be delivered over the same copper cables as telephone signals. That meant that if you wanted broadband, you'd need to take...
Water

Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK? (July 2023)
Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK? The short answer (in July 2023) is yes - in some areas. Read on for more details on what a hosepipe ban is, how to avoid breaking the ban and which UK water...

Cut your home’s carbon footprint this Earth Day
April 22nd is Earth Day, a global holiday in support of environmental protection. In 2023, more than a billion people around the globe are expected to participate in fundraising, protests, clean-up...

Price increase 2023: Energy, Water, Broadband, Council tax
As April rolls around, households across the UK will see increases in broadband, water, and council tax bills. Meanwhile, businesses will face a hike in energy bills as the government's Energy Bill...

Hard or soft water? Find out with our water hardness checker
It might not seem important, but knowing if your area has hard water or soft water can help make your day-to-day water use more efficient, as well as save you money on repairs and maintenance....
Council tax

Reclaim Council Tax when you move home
If you've moved home recently you may be able to reclaim Council Tax that you paid in advance. While some local authorities automatically refund you when you move, others will only repay if you...

Price increase 2023: Energy, Water, Broadband, Council tax
As April rolls around, households across the UK will see increases in broadband, water, and council tax bills. Meanwhile, businesses will face a hike in energy bills as the government's Energy Bill...

Council Tax Rises in April 2023
Council Tax rates for most of the UK will rise by 5% this April, coinciding with annual price rises across utility providers. The change was expected after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt granted permission...

Council Tax – what is it, and how to register
If you live in the UK, the chances are that you pay Council Tax to your local authority. The amount of tax paid will vary based on the value of your property, as well as if you’re eligible for a...
Moving Guides

How to defrost a freezer (and save on your bills)
Here's how to defrost your freezer to help it run at maximum efficiency, and keep your electricity bills down. Frost building up in your freezer doesn't just limit the amount of food you can fit inside. It also makes it harder for your freezer to keep cool, especially...

Save when you move with these 6 home move freebies
Did you know there are useful home move freebies you can claim to help cut the cost of moving? From saving on moving supplies to cutting your bills once you've settled in, there's plenty out there for savvy home movers. Make sure you claim these free gifts and...

How to prove your right to rent when you’re new to the UK
This information only applies to those renting a home in England. You do not need to prove the right to rent in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. What is the right to rent in the UK? Any private tenant in England must prove their right to rent before they start a...

How to redirect post when you move
Did you know that you can redirect post when you move to make sure you don't miss any important deliveries? When moving to a new house it's easy to forget to update all of your friends, services and online accounts with the new address right away. As you settle in,...
PCM News

Canopy Grow: The new service to help renters build credit
Proptech platform Canopy Rent has launched its latest service for renters - Canopy Grow. Grow is designed to make building UK credit history and improving your credit score simple for renters. Too often, paying rent can feel like a zero-sum game, but Canopy has found...

Please Connect Me Arrives in Ireland
After more than 20 years of helping home movers set up their utilities, Please Connect Me is pleased to announce we will be bringing our free, five-star rated utility concierge service to the Republic of Ireland! Having assisted thousands of New Zealanders and...

How to set up broadband in the UK
Whether you are relocating to the UK, purchasing your first home - setting up wifi for your new home is essential. But it can get overwhelming to sort out a dozen other important tasks including unpacking, paperwork and figuring out your new neighbourhood. To help...

The launch of our brand new customer dashboard
After a successful and eventful partnership with home technology provider, Ideavate, Please Connect Me is pleased to announce the availability of our brand-new customer dashboard. Everyone who uses our free utility expert service will be able to track the progress of...