Moving into our first house, confused by utilities!

macman

Wiley wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. The property is a brand new build. It only just got signed off by building control yesterday and we are the first tenants in it so farso there has been 0 usage !

No. I don't think you understand the system. There will have been some power usage during the fitting out process. You are in a deemed contract with the existing suppliers from the minute you walk in and turn a light on. Find out who they are, take meter readings on day one and register for an account with them. Once you have done that, you are free to commence a switch, which will take 4 to 5 weeks.
You cannot go straight to a supplier of your choice, as the existing account has to be settled first.

jalexa

Wiley wrote: »

Hello all,

Me and my fiance are moving into our first house the weekend after this weekend...

Enjoy.

As far as the gas and electric is concerned, as well as taking the readings on entry as just advised, also get a handle on your energy consumption by taking daily readings for a week, then weekly reading for the rest of the month. Then whenever you get an estimated bill update the supplier with actual readings and get the bill re-issued.

Wiley

macman wrote: »

No. I don't think you understand the system. There will have been some power usage during the fitting out process. You are in a deemed contract with the existing suppliers from the minute you walk in and turn a light on. Find out who they are, take meter readings on day one and register for an account with them. Once you have done that, you are free to commence a switch, which will take 4 to 5 weeks.
You cannot go straight to a supplier of your choice, as the existing account has to be settled first.

Thank you macman. I am beginning to understand it all now. I spoke with our landlord, the gas is with British Gas and elec is with Scottish Power.

So when we move in next friday, before we flick any switches or turn on any heating. take a reading of both G&E and phone each of the providers say that we have moved in and that we need to set up an account with each of them initially and give them whatever readings there are on the meters. Then at that point maybe after a month or the first bill can arrange a switch if we want?

When contacting these companies that the utilities are currently with, Is it just a case of seeing what they can offer as the best deal at that time or is it just a case of set up the most basic of basic accounts then switch to a single company to provide both?

Wiley

jalexa wrote: »

Enjoy.

As far as the gas and electric is concerned, as well as taking the readings on entry as just advised, also get a handle on your energy consumption by taking daily readings for a week, then weekly reading for the rest of the month. Then whenever you get an estimated bill update the supplier with actual readings and get the bill re-issued.

Thank you for this tip, i will keep detailed records of our meter readings.

victor2

Wiley wrote: »

When contacting these companies that the utilities are currently with, Is it just a case of seeing what they can offer as the best deal at that time or is it just a case of set up the most basic of basic accounts then switch to a single company to provide both?

Standard tariffs are usually the most expensive, so ask each provider what tariffs they can put you on, which could happen immediately. Switching usually takes 6-8 weeks, which will mean you're on your existing tariff for some time.
After that, you can shop around for the best deal. Dual fuel options are often the better priced ones and switching is pretty painless, the new supplier handles it all. See what dual fuel tariffs your existing suppliers can offer as a start, but don't think you're committed to staying with either of them.
There will be some guesswork involved with a new house, but you can without a doubt beat standard tariffs.

macman

Make sure that you register initially for an account without a lock in. If you want you can then commence a switch on the day you register with them, without penalty. If you want to switch, why would you wait for the first bill?

Wiley

macman wrote: »

Make sure that you register initially for an account without a lock in. If you want you can then commence a switch on the day you register with them, without penalty. If you want to switch, why would you wait for the first bill?

I had read from another thread someone advised to give it a month or so before switching, for what reason they advised this, i am unsure.

I think i have an idea of who im going to switch to, using the energy helpline online comparison, without using figures but giving details of our lifestyle etc it gave me a quote of just under £800 for the year on a fixed tariff fixed until december next year this was with EDF. Which after reading alot on here and from friends is about the going rate roughly.

victor2

Presumably if you've read the threads on here you'll appreciate that EDF's "systems", for want of a better word, are not the best to get along with. I went with them as one of the best prices for my requirement and big six players. Customer service has the potential to drive you nuts, but you hopefully won't need that too much, once your account is up and running.
You won't build up enough history in a month to justify waiting to switch. You can start the process as soon as you like. Won't be a priority with a new house I'm sure, but do get your existing supply accounts sorted out asap.

Mojisola

In addition to sorting out who you go with, think about having some of the bills in your name and some in your OHs. Utility and council tax bills are sometimes asked for when a company needs to be sure of your identity and address. If the bills are all in one name, it can cause problems for the partner.

Wiley

victor2 wrote: »

Presumably if you've read the threads on here you'll appreciate that EDF's "systems", for want of a better word, are not the best to get along with. I went with them as one of the best prices for my requirement and big six players. Customer service has the potential to drive you nuts, but you hopefully won't need that too much, once your account is up and running.
You won't build up enough history in a month to justify waiting to switch. You can start the process as soon as you like. Won't be a priority with a new house I'm sure, but do get your existing supply accounts sorted out asap.

I will do, thank you Victor. im trying to prepare in advance of the move, at the new house we're not going to have internet or landline available for several weeks, so will get details of who im going to switch to, keep them to hand so that if BG or SP dont offer me any better then i can do a switch once i've registered myself with them