Buying house...how to get best deals

arroli

Any advice on how to get best deals for electric and gas...Quidco etc when moving into a property

House not been occupied for a long while so need to arrange contracts with utilities...

If I call them to arrange connection/transfer of occupancy etc, I wont be able to do so on line

Any thoughts very welcome...thanks

Premier_2

Is the property being sold to you with services connected?

It's usual to be so, but if not, make sure you a paying a price reflecting the lack of services.

If it has existing services connected, you will need to register with these suppliers first.
If the seller doesn't help you here, then these links will help.

How to identify your gas supplier

How to identify your electricity supplier

You won't get any cashback for registering your account, but once you have a supplier, you can then switch supplier for which cashback may be available.
Switching will typically take 4-6 weeks so ask the existing supplier for their recomendation of their best tariff for you otherwise they will put you on their standard (expensive) tariff.
Beware of any early exit penalties that may apply if you opt out of their standard tariff and intend to switch later.

davidgmmafan

If its just unoccupied then there will probably already be a supplier with whom you will have a deemed contract. You can go with whomever you like but you need to give that company your name and opening readings. Its in your interest to give readings as it ensrues you will only be billed for what you have used.

If the last person left a large balance owing you may need to send in proof of occupancy/proof of owernship.

Its difficult to advise on tariff with no idea of the consumption, unless you are moving from a similar property and therefore have something to base it on? If not then find the cheapest rate you can with no tie in so you can switch when you know what your are using.

That said you ideally need 12 months consumption to do an accurate comparison.

arroli

Thanks for replies
Yes the property currently has electric and water connected, not yet sure who the suppliers are at present though

Thanks for heads up about tie in periods, will make sure I ask about that!

JasX

yup, as above i think biggest risk/hassle saving will be making sure you confirm move-in readings with the existing supplier so you get an accurate bill and they don;t try to lump large charges you're not liable for onto you, once registered with them (explicitly don't let them put you onto any deal with a tie-in/exit penalties).

then up to you if you want to leave it a month or so to try and guesstimate your useage (remembering to bump it up a bit for colder weather) or switch immediately (claiming cashback).

Is there or is there not gas in the place, if not expect very high electricity useage and might be worth trying to switch earlier to a more 'heavy useage' tariff.... and don't expect smalll bills

if all electric get onto your timers and thermostat settings from day one and see jhjow low you can stand them -had a work colleague rent a place and burn through £1500 in 6 months due to badly setup electric heating

davidgmmafan

Water will be whatever the company is in that area, these can't change (yet, frankly I don't want another thing to shop around for but competition is mentioned sometimes). Call [URL="javascript:openBrief('TelephoneShow.aspx?telID=31472234');"]0870 6081524 [/URL]to see who the gas is with, not sure for elec but most suppliers can search this for you.

Better to find out now than just wait for a letter, in case it never comes and you forget. Put away a decent amount, I would suggest at least £100 per month, until a payment is setup so you have something to go towards the bill as Winter is coming in a bit.