New rental move - suggestions.

laffer

Hi,

Just wondering if someone could give me some tips as this is my first move into a rental property. I need to connect phone, water, gas and electricity and arrangements for Council Tax. I really do not want to sign up to contracts because most of them are 12 months and this is only a 6 month lease. So, the short question is, are there certain steps that I must follow to get these services connected? Can I make arrangements to have the services put on before I move in (e.g. tell them my move in date so that it is already to go?). I am told that the meters for the property are inside so does this mean that in order to bill me the companies need to get access to my property to obtain meter readings?

Thanks for any tips you might be able to provide.

jojo9239

Hi me 2 i posted this thread that may help
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1649019

paintpot

Apart from phone contracts you do not need to sign up to 12 month contracts for any utilities (gas, elec, water) and the same for the council tax. In short, you pay for what you use. It is very important that you take meter readings when you move in, inform the provider that you have moved in with those readings, the same when you move out, but whilst you are living there also to ensure that you are not being billed continuously on estimated readings - estimated readings are just that and if you use over the estimation regularly you could be hit with a large bill that you have not budgeted for. You should regularly inform your supplier of your proper reading before your bill is due (depends how you arrange to pay i.e monthly, quarterly) as they do not always send a meter reader out to read your meter.

You also need to notify the council tax dept when you move in. There are exemptions to people paying council tax e.g. students and there are also alllowances to reduce it such as single persons allowance.

Also, do check whether the property is a prepayment meter or a normal billed meter. Prepayment meters involve loading a key/card with credit. This does help people budget but they do charge more for the service. Before you move in you need to check this as you will need your own card/key to charge the meter and if there is no charge on the meter you could be without gas/elec when you move in until your cards/keys turn up after registering with the provider as they post them - it takes a day or two.

Otherise, if there is no prepayment meters the gas, elec, water should be connected and working. Double check all this with your landlord. However, do not ignore my first paragraph which is to read (even photograph and keep) your opening meter readings and notify the provider.

A good landlord or agent should agree meter readings, tell you the provider e.g british Gas, Npower etc with you when you move in and out but ultimately it is your responsibilty to pay them (unless you have a tenancy with all bills included) so ensure you do as lots of tenants get into a financial pickle by not registering and/or not paying and think that they will get away with - they don't, it catches up with you.


Well done for asking and good luck in your new home.

laffer

Thanks for your replies. Just one things: Am I able to telephone the electricity company etc before I arrive to tell them my moving in date (as I do not want to have to wait for it to come online). Also, must I go with BT for the connection of my line? £120 odd pounds is a joke!

paintpot

Yes you can ring the company with the date you are moving in prior. However the readings you give them should be the ones you take on the day you move in.

I am not too hot on phone packages but if you want to change phone provider then you will need to discuss this with the landlord first. Most tenancies state that you can't change a provider without the landlord's permission which they shall not unreasonably refuse.

Any changes you agree with the landlord you should back up in writing to cover yourself.

Don't enter a contract with anyone until you are firmly signed up the property is my best advice just in case something goes wrong. You usually get a cooling off period with any contract you sign but t's usually 7 days and if for any reason you don't move into the property and have signed a contract you might be stuck with it.