Getting tarrif sorted before you move in?

ferranski

Hey guys, I have never been a bill payer for gas and elec before, I'm moving in to a property soon and the management say I will sign a form with the meter readings on.

What happens then? Do I get a letter from the current provider? I have found the cheapest tariff I want to go on, how do they work out what I Will pay per month on the dd? Can I sign up before I move in with my new provider?

Cheers james

keith1950

Hi, you have to sign up with the current supplier for the property then you can start a switch straight away.
( just register for their standard tariff so you are not tied to them. )

As long you agree with the meter readings when you sign the form, then you are ensuring that you are not paying for the previous tenants fuel, although I would ask them for a photocopy of the signed form.

Best thing is to ring the current supplier as soon as you move in and register with them.

I wouldn't worry about direct debits if you are switching straight away as the switch should only take 6-8 weeks so just pay the final bill when it arrives.

When you are ready to switch use the comparison sites ,entering various useage figures to get a direct debit figure you are happy with.
Typical average figures are around 3500kwh for electricity and 16000kwh for gas.

Then monitor the first couple of months to ensure your account isn't running into debt.

Usually the useage figures you enter on your application set the direct debit level.

ferranski

Thanks, How do you know who the current supplier is?

There is no paperwork in the house or letters that look like they are from utility companys.

Is it wise to just pay quarterly (when they bill you) for the first 6 or 12 months to get an idea how much i will use?

keith1950

Hi, if you are definately going to switch straight away there doesn't seem much point in setting up direct debits, your 1st bill would not normally be until at least 3 months so even if the switch takes 8 weeks means your 1st bill would also be your final bill !!.

You used to ring the default supplier for your area to find out who supplies your property, which , for example , in the north east, for electricity would be npower and for gas it would british gas.

If you dont know who these are , go on a comparison site and after you have put in your postcode the next page where you put in your figures etc would show the default suppliers for your area.

macman

Do your own meter readings, do not rely on any 3rd party to do this for you-it's you who will be paying the bills.
The cheapest variable tariffs are the online discounted ones, almost all of which require payment by fixed monthly DD.

charlotte289

ferranski wrote: »

Thanks, How do you know who the current supplier is?

There is no paperwork in the house or letters that look like they are from utility companys.

Is it wise to just pay quarterly (when they bill you) for the first 6 or 12 months to get an idea how much i will use?

Apparently you can call 0870 608 1524 to find out your gas supplier, and you can call your electricity distributor (see http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/AboutElectricity/DistributionCompanies/ to find that out) to see who supplies your electricity at the moment.

I'd go with quarterly billing as well for just now

Cardew

ferranski wrote: »

Thanks, How do you know who the current supplier is?

There is no paperwork in the house or letters that look like they are from utility companys.

If the last occupant notified the utility company they were leaving(many don't) and paid their bill, then the Utility company would have sent a letter addressed to 'The Occupier'.

The fact that there is no such letter should send 'alarm signals' that a leaving bill might not have been paid.

You need to ensure you read the meters and contact the company to ensure you don't get saddled with paying for the old occupier's consumption.