Advice please - totally new and about to Rent a house for first time - what do i do?!

micraplay

HI guys, total property noob here.

ME and girlfriend are renting a property together next month, starting 1st March. its all come about quite soon but really excited about it.

Only problem is neither of us have any idea what to do about the energy bills/supplier?

Landlord has agreed to witness a meter reading with us but hes not got much idea about what his existing tenants have been doing.

so, 1 - will i have to continue using the supllier the old tenants had?
2 - what do i need to do when we have signed up and its our responsibilty?
3 - can i apply to switch supplier straight away and what figures do i use to compare deals?!!!

really appreciate any help at all.

if it matters - we're both under 30 - small 2 bed 1960's bungalow, no kids, both employed

Richie-from-the-Boro

micraplay wrote: »

HI guys, total property noob here.

ME and girlfriend are renting a property together next month, starting 1st March. its all come about quite soon but really excited about it.

Only problem is neither of us have any idea what to do about the energy bills/supplier?

Landlord has agreed to witness a meter reading with us but hes not got much idea about what his existing tenants have been doing.

so :

1 - will i have to continue using the supllier the old tenants had?
2 - what do i need to do when we have signed up and its our responsibilty?
3 - can i apply to switch supplier straight away and what figures do i use to compare deals?!!!

really appreciate any help at all.

if it matters - we're both under 30 - small 2 bed 1960's bungalow, no kids, both employed

.1. yes in the short term, you'll have [in law] a deemed contract with the previous tenant / owners last supplier.
.2. you are already signed up, you have a deemed contract with the previous tenant / owners last supplier.
.3. you can't compare till you know who you are with and the tariff you are currently on.

Then you can compare and shift suppliers, if you get no clues from your landlord / bills on the mat / previous tenant look here. Ditto for gas. Photograph the meter with that [in the particular] days paper, you may need it if your prior tenant was a 'baddie'.

Find the info per above and come back here tell the group and ask for their advice, and the best of luck to you and your good lady for your new adventures.

gentlebloke

1. When you move in call Consumer Direct (08454 040506) to find out who the current suppliers are.
2. Take meter readings and give them to the current suppliers - contract is then in your name.
3. Ask current suppliers what their best tarif is - don't forget dual fuel and Direct Debit discounts.
4. Energy Savings Trust will give an estimate of consumption based on your personal circumstances. Use this to approach a price comparison site - use one that Consumer Focus recommends, they're NOT all the same
5. Remember that price is not everything - most smaller suppliers will not offer the same protection if things go wrong as the 'Big 6'.

Personally, I'd choose one of the Big 6. Not EDF though, because they're impossible to contact. I used to work on an energy advice line and can verify that some smaller suppliers received far more complaints per consumer than expected - be careful!

macman

You'll also need to register for a water account with the regional supplier, and take a reading if metered.
Not forgetting council tax...

micraplay

excellent advice guys, thanks very much indeed

talksoncorners

Apologies if this is bad forum etiquette, but if I can just jump in and ask a question...

I'm in pretty much the same situation as the OP (moving in on the 29th Feb), but I know who the current suppliers are at the moment.
If I were to get in touch with them and set up an account to 'keep things as they are', would I be tied into any minimum term contracts with them?
(then, once I've been in for a month or so, I could check out the competition and grab myself a deal?)

macman

You can leave when you like, as long as you don't opt for a contract with a lock in and an ETC-many online discount tariffs do.
Best to opt for Standard tariff in the short term if you plan on leaving, even though it's the most expensive-or pick another tariff without any lock in.

micraplay

well today (1st) was our first day as the tenants - though we havent actually moved in yet. i went today to drop some stuff off and theres a bloody water bill on the doorstep for £686 quid!!

reading the breakdown, its a back dated bill from August 2011 until end of March 2012 (so only march im responsible for there) and an advanced rates for the coming year april 2012 to march 2013.

does this suggest that the previous tenant who moved out 2 days ago wasnt paying the bill?!
you can be bloody sure im not paying it anyway! ill be in touch with united utilities asap to set up account in my name from the 1st of march and give them landlords details who they can chase for the rest of the money.

nice welcome to my new home anyway

oh well, just gotta deal with it!

Richie-from-the-Boro

micraplay wrote: »

well today (1st) was our first day as the tenants - though we haven't actually moved in yet. i went today to drop some stuff off and there's a bloody water bill on the doorstep for £686 quid!!

Reading the breakdown, its a back dated bill from August 2011 until end of March 2012 (so only march I'm responsible for there) and an advanced rates for the coming year April 2012 to march 2013.

Does this suggest that the previous tenant who moved out 2 days ago wasn't paying the bill?!

You can be bloody sure I'm not paying it anyway! I'll be in touch with united utilities asap to set up account in my name from the 1st of March and give them landlords details who they can chase for the rest of the money.

nice welcome to my new home anyway

oh well, just gotta deal with it!

- check & record phone leccy internet gas and anything else etc !