He's not liable if the tenant has to sort out getting the gas and electric
meters installed.

I'm not sure how habitable a premises would be classed as if no
utilities were laid on... I suspect the tenant would have a strong
argument with the housing officer if nothing else.

The landlord is still probably best paying for seperate meters to be
installed by his local REC at this stage - despite this apparent hassle,
it will isolate him from any liability for non-payment by tenants at a
later date.