Help & Hints For First Time Renters

boa_girl22

Hello,

Me and my partner currently rent a one bedroom flat, that has a bills inclusive rate.

We're soon hoping to make the jump to renting our own house, 1 bedroom, maybe 2, in the Wakefield/Kirklees Area of West Yorkshire.

We wanted to know any tips on keeping utility Bills Down.

We like it cold, so won't be using the gas/central heating ever.

Electric is our main worry, we have the Lime energy saving plug that turns the TV etc. off with the remote, instead of leaving it on standby, but what else can we use to watch what we're using.

What other gadgets and gizmos help? Or Any handy hints?

Also who is the best gas/electric provider in the area, and by that I mean the cheapest, if anyone knows?

Also, how steep is water rates? and any hints on keeping those down too.

Thanks! :T

bitsandpieces

No heating, ever :eek: Are you sure? Houses can very cold if not heated (flats often get more heat from surrounding flats, though I'd still want heating!) I'd worry that things might freeze in winter, let alone the effects on those living there.

Annisele

I'd worry about problems with damp if you didn't ever turn the heating on - and that wouldn't make your landlord a happy bunny.

Heating/electricity costs depend very much on the property. I once rented a flat above a hairdressers, and I only needed heating for the week over Christmas when they were closed. The rest of the time they turned my flat into a sauna, but my utility bills were tiny

boa_girl22

Honestly when we had that massive snow, blocking the roads and everything, my OH still had the windows open to "let the air in", she likes it cold.

I wear 10 layers.

We can work without heating lol.