Twelve bed student house - best deal?

martin87

Hi,

I'll be moving into a twelve bed student house in about a month's time, and so I'm starting to think about what we're going to do about all the utilities.

I've never had to organise anything like this before, so I've no idea what "package" to go with, and which supplier to use! I presume we'll be in the ~insanely high usage~ bracket, so are there packages which suit that? The house is in Sheffield (post code S11 8RR, if that makes a difference). All I know is that the current tenants use nPower.

Thanks for any help!

KimYeovil

Take a look on the comparison sites.

If they are not paying nPower by Direct Debit then a massive saving would be available by switching to EDF Online Saver 6 - EDF OS6 is almost the same price for quarterly bills as direct debits. nPower's quarterly tariff is much more expensive than their direct debit tariffs.

The most important thing is, of course, to make sure there are a couple of jobsworths who aren't afraid of making themselves unpopular by demanding regular payments from everyone (no exceptions) and reading meters to ensure they are up to date. And, of course, make sure receipts are kept and checked to ensure they have not popped into the pub on the way to the post office.

Cardew

Above and beyond who supplies the cheapest tariff, you need to set up a cast iron system to ensure everyone pays their share and in advance.

It is absolutely inevitable that there will be disputes over payments. People will leave at short notice; girlfriends/boyfriends will move in, some will stay in the property during holidays(Xmas etc) Some will use electric heaters in their rooms.

You will never be able to devise a 'fair' system - there will be gainers and losers.

I would insist on, say, £100 to be paid into a kitty in advance and, say £20 a month untill you get a feel of costs.

You might be better off to get bills monthly(BG run such a scheme) rather than quarterly - a more expensive option but you can print off the bill each month and pin it up.

Good luck.

spiro

Cardew wrote: »

You might be better off to get bills monthly(BG run such a scheme) rather than quarterly - a more expensive option but you can print off the bill each month and pin it up.

Another option would be to set up a spreadsheet that calculates what the next bill will be and put meter readings into it ever week or so.

I agree that you should get the 1st few weeks money up front and only refund this when someone moves out and they have paid their final share.

If possible try and speak to one of the previous tenants to get an idea of what they paid per year.