So this is life (prepayment meter questions)

browser

Right, so I am a student moving into privately rented accommodation this month (for 10 months) with 3 other students (small 4 bed/2bath house in coventry)

I am but a mere student with absolutely no experience of living in the real world

So we asked the following;
Could you tell us who the current utilities supplier is and whether or not we will need to contact them before moving in? For example, to set up direct debits with the water supplier etc?

And we were told;
* British Gas supply the gas. I will notify them that you are moving in September 1. They will probably ask for a Head of Household. Electricity is metered, and paid via a plastic key.

Research suggests that prepayment key is very expensive, but it also seems to be the norm for private lettings.

My questions, primarily, what can I do? Can the tenants request removal of the prepay meter? Should we tell the landlord that we will get a prepay meter fitted back on when we leave (will they charge for that?) if they do charge for removal, roughly how much would it be worthwhile to pay in relation to the savings?

Also, when the reply states British Gas supply the gas, does that mean that gas is not on the meter? Should the landlord have given us a name of a tariff instead?

Also, I do not see mention of who the water is with. Is it bundled in the information in a way I cannot see?

I realise that these questions may be extremely basic, but I need to learn somewhere, right? Where better than learning to save right from the start :cool:

spiro

1) If British Gas supply the gas you either need to contact them before you move in or you have the option (if done in advance) of contacting the gas supplier of you choice. You also need to get him to tell you how supplies the elec.
2) Yes there will be a gas meter, may be credit or prepayment, the landlord should tell you.
3) If you can swap the prepayment meter for a credit one will depend on the agreement with your landlord and yes suppliers are likely to charge to swap it back.
4) Some suppliers (cant remember who) offer almost the same price for prepay as credit and OFGEM is getting suppliers to cut the difference.
5) On a related issue make sure your landlord issues you with a current gas safety certificate ideally on the day you move in so you know everything is safe.
6) Make sure you take, and agree with landlord, the meter readings for both gas and elec on the day you move in to ensure his final bill and your opening bill are based on agreed readings.

enthrone

as a student PP meter would be the best option for you, unless you are sure everyone would put there share into the bill for the credit meter.

also you most likely will get charged for the exchange of PP to CR.

not really worth it for 10 months either.

LeeSouthEast

Photograph the meters on your way in. Dated reasonable proof of the readings should there be queries down the line.