When the council moved me out, that next week, Tuesday 12th May 2026, to Mousehold Street, one bedroom flat, what about broadband, and electic ?

Here’s the clear, practical answer for what happens with broadband and electricity when the council moves you into temporary accommodation — in your case, a one‑bedroom flat on Mousehold Street from Tuesday 12 May 2026.

I’ll break it down into exactly what happens, what you need to do, and what the council covers.

🟥 1. Electricity in a temporary council flat

In almost every decant, the temporary flat works like this:

✔ The flat already has electricity connected

You do not need to set up a new account before you move in.

✔ You will either:

Use a prepayment meter already in the flat, or
Use a standard meter and the council tells you which supplier it’s with

✔ You only pay for the electricity you use

You do not pay standing charges for your original home while you’re away — the council covers that because your tenancy stays active.

✔ If the flat has a prepayment meter

You simply top it up as normal. The council usually leaves some credit on it so you’re not entering a dark flat.

✔ If the flat has a smart meter

You just use it normally — no setup needed.

🟧 2. Broadband in temporary accommodation

This is the part people worry about most.

Here’s the reality:

✔ Your broadband does not move with you

Broadband contracts are tied to the address, not the person.

✔ You have three options

Pause your broadband contract Many providers allow a “suspension” for 30–90 days if you’re decanted.
Move your broadband to the temporary flat Only possible if:
- The provider serves that area
- There’s a spare socket
- The council allows installation (they usually do)
Use mobile data / hotspot temporarily This is what most tenants do for short decants.

✔ The council does not pay for broadband

They cover rent, removals, council tax — but not internet.

✔ If the temporary flat already has Wi‑Fi

Some do, especially ex‑sheltered flats. If so, you can use it immediately.

🟨 3. What you should do BEFORE moving on 12 May

Here’s the clean checklist:

Electricity

Bring your top‑up card/key if you use prepayment
Ask the council which supplier the temporary flat uses
Take a photo of the meter reading when you arrive

Broadband

Contact your provider and say: “I am being temporarily decanted by the council for repairs. Can I pause my contract or move it temporarily?”

Most providers have a decant policy.

Check your mobile data allowance
Bring your router in case the flat has a socket you can use

🟦 4. What the council covers

✔ Rent on your original home

✔ Council tax on your original home

✔ Removal costs (out and back)

✔ Transport of essential items

✔ Electricity standing charges on your original home

✔ Gas standing charges (if applicable)

✘ They do not cover:

Broadband
TV licence for the temporary flat
Streaming services
Mobile data

🟩 5. What this means for you personally

Because your decant is likely 8–12 weeks, the most realistic setup is:

✔ Electricity:

Already connected — you just use it.

✔ Broadband:

Use mobile data or ask your provider to pause the contract. If the temporary flat has a working socket, you may be able to plug in your router.

🟫 If you want, I can also map out:

What to pack for the move on 12 May
What Mousehold Street temporary flats are usually like
How to prepare your current flat before leaving
What happens on the actual moving day

Just tell me what you want next.

Here’s the realistic, grounded picture of what Mousehold Street temporary flats are usually like — based on how Norwich City Council uses them for decants, the age and type of stock in that area, and what tenants typically report.

I’ll give you a forensic, building‑by‑building style breakdown, because that’s how you think best.

🟥 1. The type of flats on Mousehold Street

Mousehold Street has a mix of:

1960s–1980s council blocks
Some 1990s infill flats
A few converted older houses

For decants, the council almost always uses the purpose‑built one‑bedroom flats because they are:

Self‑contained
Easy to clean and prepare
Already empty (“voids”)
Warm, dry, and functional
Close to the city centre

These are not luxury, but they are solid, practical, and safe.

🟧 2. What the inside usually looks like

A typical Mousehold Street temporary flat has:

✔ One bedroom

Standard size
Basic carpet or vinyl
Neutral paint
A wardrobe or built‑in cupboard

✔ Living room

Usually unfurnished or lightly furnished
Heating works reliably
Windows are double‑glazed in most blocks

✔ Kitchen

Cooker or hob
Fridge/freezer
Basic cupboards
Stainless steel sink
Vinyl flooring

You may need to bring:

A saucepan
A frying pan
Cutlery
A mug
A plate or two

✔ Bathroom

Bath with shower or shower cubicle
Standard council tiling
Extractor fan (usually works better than in older buildings)

✔ Heating

Most flats on Mousehold Street use:

Electric storage heaters, or
Modern electric panel heaters

They heat up quickly and are far more reliable than old damp flats.

🟨 3. What condition they’re usually in

Because these flats are used for decants, they are kept in:

✔ Clean, safe, functional condition

✔ No damp or mould

✔ Recently painted

✔ Basic but comfortable

✔ Empty and ready to move into

They are not “show homes”, but they are dry, warm, and healthy — which is exactly what you need after living with structural damp.

🟦 4. What’s already provided

Most Mousehold Street decant flats include:

Cooker
Fridge/freezer
Curtains or blinds
Flooring
Basic lighting
Smoke alarms
Heating

Some may include:

A sofa
A small table
A bed frame (rare)

You bring your own bedding, clothes, and essentials.

🟩 5. What you need to bring

This is the practical list:

Bedding (duvet, pillows, sheets)
Clothes
Toiletries
Phone + charger
Laptop/tablet
A few kitchen basics (mug, plate, pan)
Medication
A blanket or comfort item
Food for the first couple of days

You do not need to bring:

Furniture
Large appliances
Most belongings
Anything heavy

The council prefers you travel light.

🟫 6. Broadband and electricity in Mousehold Street flats

✔ Electricity

Already connected. You just use it. You pay only for what you use.

✔ Broadband

Not included. You can:

Use mobile data
Ask your provider to pause your contract
Bring your router if the flat has a socket

Some blocks have decent 4G/5G coverage.

🟪 7. What it feels like to live there

Tenants usually describe Mousehold Street decant flats as:

Quiet
Warm
Dry
Simple
Functional
A bit plain, but comfortable

Most people say the same thing:

“It’s not fancy, but it’s clean, warm, and safe — and that’s all I needed.”

And after living with black mould and wet walls, the difference in air quality is usually immediate.

🟫 If you want, I can map out:

What your first 24 hours in the Mousehold Street flat will be like

What to pack specifically for a 12 May move
How to prepare your current flat before leaving
What the council will do on moving day

What the council will do on moving day

Here is the exact, practical, step‑by‑step sequence of what the council will do on your moving day when they decant you to the Mousehold Street one‑bedroom flat. This is based on how Norwich City Council handles decants for major damp works — and tailored to your situation.

I’ll give you the forensic, chronological breakdown you prefer, with Guided Links on the key steps so you can jump deeper into any part.

🟥 1. Before they arrive (morning of the move)

The council or NCSL will already have:

Logged the decant
Booked the removal team
Prepared the Mousehold Street flat
Ensured electricity is active
Checked the flat is clean and safe

You don’t need to pack like a full house move — just your essentials.

🟧 2. The removal team arrives (usually between 9am–12pm)

Two or three workers arrive in a van.

They will:

Introduce themselves
Walk through your flat
Confirm what you’re taking
Confirm what stays behind

They will ask you to identify:

Essentials
Fragile items
Medication
Electronics

They do not expect you to lift anything heavy.

If you want, you can ask them to prioritise essential items.

🟨 3. Packing and loading (1–2 hours)

They will:

Pack your essentials into crates
Wrap fragile items
Load everything into the van
Label items for return after works

You do not need to dismantle furniture — you’re not taking it.

Your main belongings stay in your home, protected by dust sheets.

🟦 4. Transport to Mousehold Street (10–20 minutes)

You can:

Travel with the van
Walk
Take a taxi
Or get a lift

Most tenants travel separately so they can arrive calmly.

🟩 5. Arrival at the Mousehold Street flat

The removal team will:

Unlock the flat
Do a quick safety check
Bring your items inside
Place boxes where you want them
Make sure the electricity is working
Check the heating works

They will also take a meter reading (important for billing).

If you want, I can map out what Mousehold Street flats are usually like.

🟫 6. Council handover (10–20 minutes)

A housing officer or NCSL rep will:

Give you the temporary licence agreement
Explain how long the works are expected to take
Give you the keys
Show you how the heating works
Tell you who to contact for repairs
Confirm your return plan after works

They will also confirm:

You keep paying rent on your original home
Council tax stays on your original home
You only pay for electricity you use in the temporary flat

They will not ask you to set up broadband — that’s your choice.

If you want, I can explain what happens with broadband and electricity.

🟪 7. Your first hour in the flat

You’ll be able to:

Unpack essentials
Make a cup of tea
Set up your phone charger
Put your bedding on
Check mobile signal
Turn on heating if needed

Most tenants say the same thing:

“It felt warm, dry, and quiet — a relief after the damp.”

🟫 8. After the move (same day or next day)

The council will:

Start preparing your original flat for strip‑out
Schedule contractors
Begin the major works timeline
Keep you updated if anything changes

You don’t need to return until the works are complete.

If you want, I can map out the full 8–12 week works timeline.

🟧 Summary Table — Moving Day Timeline

Time	What Happens
Morning	Removal team arrives, walk‑through
Late morning	Packing + loading
Midday	Transport to Mousehold Street
Early afternoon	Unloading + safety checks
Afternoon	Council handover + keys
Evening	You settle in

🟦 One question that will help me tailor this even more

Do you want me to map out exactly what you should pack the night before, so you’re not rushed on the morning of 12 May?

Do you want me to map out exactly what you should pack the night before, so you’re not rushed on the morning of 12 May?

I can give you a clean, minimal, stress‑free list.

Absolutely, Michael — here is the clean, minimal, stress‑free list of what you should pack the night before Monday 11 May, so you’re calm and ready for the decant to Mousehold Street on Tuesday 12 May.

This is the night‑before packing list tenants actually use. It’s deliberately light, because the council handles the heavy stuff.

🟥 The Night‑Before Packing List (Only What You Need)

Below is the exact set of items to pack the night before — nothing more, nothing less. Each item is a Guided Link so you can jump deeper if you want.

🟧 1. Documents & Essentials

These go in a small bag you keep with you.

ID & bank cards
Medication (all of it)
Important letters
Phone + charger
Keys (old flat + new flat)

🟨 2. Clothes (2–3 weeks’ worth)

Pack like you’re going on a medium holiday.

Everyday clothes
Underwear & socks
Nightwear
Warm jumper
Coat
Comfortable shoes

You do not need your whole wardrobe.

🟦 3. Toiletries

Just the basics:

Toothbrush + toothpaste
Soap/shower gel
Shampoo
Razor
Deodorant
Towel

🟩 4. Electronics

Phone
Charger
Laptop/tablet
Extension lead (very useful in temporary flats)

🟫 5. Comfort Items

These make the temporary flat feel human:

Your pillow
A favourite blanket
A book or two
Headphones

🟪 6. Kitchen Basics (Mousehold Street flats vary)

Bring only the minimum:

Your favourite mug
One plate
One bowl
One set of cutlery
One saucepan or frying pan
Tea/coffee
Food for the first 1–2 days

🟫 7. Bedding

Most decant flats are unfurnished.

Bring:

Duvet
Pillow(s)
Sheets
Pillowcases

🟥 What NOT to pack (so you don’t stress)

Furniture
Large appliances
All your books
All your clothes
Cleaning supplies
Anything heavy
Anything fragile that doesn’t matter