Re: This requirement for paper bills/statements...
You ring EDF up, tell them the meter supply number on the tag and tell them you moved in, then they send you some forms to fill in and ask for some periphery evidence that you should have, and bingo, the bill arrives in the name of the new account holder. Magic. And if you don't do this, the account ceases and the electrons stop visiting you because the EDF peeps come and pull the main fuse outside the property if your still on bakelite meters and bits of twisted wires for fuses between poles nailed to a piece of wood era French electrics or turn the Linky off if you've been blessed with the snot avocado green box install.
The only real caveat is that for the bill to be proof of other things, it has to have been issued in the last 3 months, so its even sort of evidence that you still are at that property (or at least they'll know where to find you if they need to).
Now, if you need a NEW supply where there isn't a existing meter to take over, that's more fun and involves the dreaded consuel inspection. But I've done that too and its really just about making sure the install is safe and got a good ground, and conforms to wiring colours and specs etc.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
