renting a property

wackyjacobeany

Hi, I am moving into a rented property on saturday with my children. I was just wondering with the gas and leccy do we get to choose who we are with or is that done automatically by the landlord?

thanks

clivejohnson

no, you get to choose your energy suppliers!

chiefgoobster

On the day you move in take readings of both gas and electric meters and confirm these to the landlord. If you are responsible for all the bills then it's up to you whom you choose.

Cardew

Initially you have to use the gas/electricity company that is already supplying the property, you are on a legally binding 'deemed contract'

However you can then switch to another supplier, but that takes 6 weeks or so.

wackyjacobeany

Thanks for all the answers. I went into the lettings agency today and they have set it up initially with British Gas. She says I should wait and get the first bill then I can choose who I go. I prefer to choose my own and then go through quidco. x x x

Yorkie1

You do not need to wait for the first bill - that could take months. As advised, make a note of the meter readings on your first day (take a photo with Saturday's newspaper even better) and then ring B Gas with the details - this will make sure that you're not paying for fuel used before you moved in. Don't let them move you onto a non-standard tariff unless there is no fee for leaving within a tie-in period. Then go through quidco to change. If you don't know your likely useage, some of the comparison websites allow you to input the property details (type, rooms, no of residents) and estimate it from that.