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Quick question regarding student house

Hi, me and a few others are renting a 8 bedroom house. We get the keys in two weeks. I phoned the landlord and he said 'We'll meet on the 3rd, I'll give you the keys and we'll go through how to pay the rent and transfer over the bills'.

Now it didn't click then, but we want to sort out our own bills when we're all together and have time to look for good deals. Me and one other are meeting this guy at the house on the 3rd.

If we only signed a contract stating there's no bills included, we do not have to transfer over the bills do we, as I know there is currently someone living in the house up until a few days before we move in so there is definitely gas, electric, water etc all in this students name.

Any advice appreciated! Most of us aren't moving in until end of September, so won't be sorting out the bills until then!

Comments

  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Basically you'll just read the meters, phone up the supplier, give them the new meter readings and that's where your billing starts.

    The people who currently live there will be billed up to the point where you phone them with the meter readings.

    You'll have to pay from when your house contract starts, even if half the house isn't moving in until later on in the month.
  • TheEffect
    TheEffect Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Great, thank you. I've never rented before (nor has any of the others) so we're very naive about this.

    If one of the other house mates is having the gas and electric in their name, but are not moving in until the 15th, do they have to come down on the 3rd to sort out the gas and electric in their own name with the company, or can we just take the readings on the 3rd and then call the gas/electric company later and open an account?
  • Lokolo
    Lokolo Posts: 20,861 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    You can do whichever you want, they will ask when you moved in when you set up your gas and electric account.

    However, if the landlord is there he may want you to do it there and then, but just tell him you'll do it next week and make sure you both have the same meter readings.
  • TheEffect
    TheEffect Posts: 2,293 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Lokolo wrote: »
    You can do whichever you want, they will ask when you moved in when you set up your gas and electric account.

    However, if the landlord is there he may want you to do it there and then, but just tell him you'll do it next week and make sure you both have the same meter readings.

    Great, thank you! I'm a bit worried about having all the bills in my name with everyone just paying into a bills account, as if we default or people stop paying (it won't happen, but you never know), they'll be chasing me and no one else.

    Hopefully one bill in each persons name is fair. :)
  • melancholly
    melancholly Posts: 7,457 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    TheEffect wrote: »
    Great, thank you! I'm a bit worried about having all the bills in my name with everyone just paying into a bills account, as if we default or people stop paying (it won't happen, but you never know), they'll be chasing me and no one else.

    Hopefully one bill in each persons name is fair. :)
    if there are eight people sharing, put a couple of names on each bill. it's a really bad idea to all open a shared account as you get linked financially to other people, and in this case, a lot of other people! having them all in your name would be a bad idea and so sharing it round is the fairest way - it's also what normally happens!
    :happyhear
  • if there are eight people sharing, put a couple of names on each bill. it's a really bad idea to all open a shared account as you get linked financially to other people, and in this case, a lot of other people! having them all in your name would be a bad idea and so sharing it round is the fairest way - it's also what normally happens!

    That only works if there are the same number of accounts (gas/elec/internet/water rates etc) as pairs of tenants and if they all involve roughly the same amount of money.


    They will be linked financially to other people whether they like it or not - they are joint tenants; they are all jointly responsible for the payment of bills.

    However since most utility companies cannot cope with more than two names on any one account, it is a good suggestion to put two on and to spread the responsibility round as fairly as possible.
  • melancholly
    melancholly Posts: 7,457 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    That only works if there are the same number of accounts (gas/elec/internet/water rates etc) as pairs of tenants and if they all involve roughly the same amount of money.


    They will be linked financially to other people whether they like it or not - they are joint tenants; they are all jointly responsible for the payment of bills.

    However since most utility companies cannot cope with more than two names on any one account, it is a good suggestion to put two on and to spread the responsibility round as fairly as possible.
    it will never work out exactly - the point is more about sharing the responsibility than getting numbers exact! i'm talking about linking in a way that will impact on credit scores in the future after having a joint account set up, rather than all being jointly responsible for bills. if it ends badly, a joint account financial link could have longer term consequences and therefore should be avoided.
    :happyhear
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    When getting the keys you will (probobly) be asked to sign an inventory, listing everything in the property and its condition.

    Do not get rushed into doing this. Check it carefully first. Once you (any ONE of you) has signed it, that's what you've agreed to.

    If the property is dirty, or furniture, carpets, worktops etc are damaged, make sure it is noted on the inventory otherwise you can be blamed for causing the damage later. Take your time doing this - it is important. If the LL tries to rush you, or says it is just a formality, politely say your friend is coming later and needs to check it and you'll return the signed inventory tomorrow.

    Do not be afraid to add comments (initial them all), or cross things out (again - initial). Returning it the next day also gives you a chance to photocopy it.
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