Utilities for House Renovation

DVardysShadow

scrivomcdivo wrote: »

I'd have to disagree with this. Standing charges for water, electricity and gas are estimated around £60 - £70 when I've looked per month so, if we carry out work over a 6-month period, that could reach up to £420 wasted not just £15.

Thanks for the replies and I'll look into the council tax too

• Water. This is probably the largest part of your supposed £420. No way of avoiding standing charges on water, your best choice is to go metered, but anyway you should be making this choice right now based on the eventual use of the house, because it is hard to change back.
• Electricity. 25p/day? say £45. But if you go onto a no standing charge tariff, your unit rate will be set high for your first so many units. I would say you might hope to save £20
• Gas. Again 25p/day? But save that by cancelling the supply until you are ready to occupy

Really, seriously, this £420 is exaggerated. Make your long term decision on the water, cancel the gas and don't bother about the electricity. For a renovation, the time you spend on this would yield better returns on finding cost effective ways to do jobs.

chappers

All of the utility suppliers will have a non-standing charge tarrif except the water(there is even a standing charge with a meter fitted).

Council tax- you should be able to get a six month exemption providing the property is empty and un furnished.

Insurance-OCASO as far as I am aware are the only company giving full cover for unoccupied periods of 30 days or more, their rates are still fairly competetive and can be cancelled at any point , but there is a one off up front fee, I think cover is only available through a broker and it is worth shopping around as both the upfront fees and premiums do vary.