Student Accommodation Gas/Electricty

inamabilis

Hi,
Just after some advice please -
I'm about to go in to my third year of university and will be moving in to a flat with 5 friends at the start of September. We will move out of the flat around mid June the following year.
Does the advice to cap now apply to me too? Does it matter that I will be living there for less than a year and that I don't live there now? (Although it is empty and I know the current gas/electricity provider).
In your opinions what would be the best thing for me to do? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks a lot.

RT7

Good question.
Wouldnt mind some info on this for my student daughter.

inamabilis

Sorry to do this but
*bump*

Anybody?

RT7

Bumping again

inamabilis

This is just going to be a thread of us bumping

c-m

i'm new to this, but as it can take upto 6 weeks or so to change supplier I can't see any point in capping since you'll be leaving soon enough anyway.

Personally i'd go for the cheapest deal out there and make sure I got some cashback through Quidco.

I'm in a 6month let and have just changed from E-On to Scottish Power, it won't save huge amounts in that time, but then the cashback will be put towards the bill.

inamabilis

Thanks for the reply!

But I could potentially cap now, in which case it should be all sorted by the time I actually move in?

hopingforahouse

Firstly - you aren't allowed to order a change of supplier untill you have the keys to a property. However I imagine a little white lie would get you round this. The current tennants would wonder why they are receiving letters in someone elses name though. The supplier is obliged to send the letters to the property, and can't forward them.

Secondly - If you do sign up to a deal you will have two options when you move out - take the deal with you, or cancel it. If you cancel it, you will most likely get a charge depending on who the deal is with. If you take it with you, you need to be confident you will be moving somewhere where you will be able to do so. Your name will also need to be on the bill - with 5 people living there it is unlikely that everyones name will be able to be on the bill.

Thirdly - As it is a student property are you sure there aren't pre pay meters in there? Don't think there's many, if any, fixed price deal for these meters.

When I was a student we had a pre pay meter through choice. Would have ended up with one without a choice otherwise! Don't underestimate how complicated it will be to get 5 different people to contribute to one bill. And the poor !!!!!!s with their name on the bill will be responsible for the payment of the whole bill, even if its others who don't/ won't pay.

inamabilis

Thanks for the reply -
There's nobody living in the house at the minute, it's empty for summer, so that's not a problem.
Your second point could prove to be a problem though - I would imagine when we all move out we will all be going back to our parents whilst we sort out a longer term plan (jobs, own houses etc). This is my second year in a house share with the same people and we're pretty good with bills so no worries there.

Finally I'm sure it's not a prepay meter .

hopingforahouse

Well then, if I were you I would find out the best fixed price deal out there and then sign up for it. Your supplier will try to charge you when you leave no doubt, but if you complain enough you will most likely get away with it. Whilst what c-m says is right - it take a while to change supplier - if you sign up now, before the potential price rises to a fixed rate deal, then you will beat the price rises.

Go for it!