After a little help re: gas and electric

punkpink

Hiya, sorry ive been searching this site for ages to try and find an answer so hope im not repeating everything.
My partner and i are just about to move into a housing association property, the tenancy starts on the 21st January, and it will be our first property (both of us have been living with parents) but i have no idea what to do regarding gas and electric.

I did ask when we signed our tenancy and was told just to phone whichever supplier we would like to go with and let them know we will be taking over the property and the date. But he had no idea who the previous/current supplier for the property is.
In all the research i have done online, everyone says you have to open an account with the current supplier before you change, does this apply for a council property? As this was never mentioned when i asked.

Kindest Regards
Vikki

HappyMJ

You wil have a deemed contract with the current supplier. You can stay with them or choose to move your account elsewhere. Initially I would just pick the cheapest standard tariff for average use and after a few months you should have a better idea of your usage and can switch to a fixed tariff with another supplier. Use Quidco/Topcashback each time you switch and you'll end up in profit and you can switch as often as you like.

punkpink

Do you know who i can find out from who the current suppliers are?
Also will our contract start on the date our tenancy begins?

Thanks for the quick response

HappyMJ

punkpink wrote: »

Do you know who i can find out from who the current suppliers are?
Also will our contract start on the date our tenancy begins?

Thanks for the quick response

You can ask the previous tenants. You will soon get a bill adressed to "the occupier". You can ignore that bill as it's not addressed to you but you now know who supplies the property and can set up an account with them or continue to ignore the letters and simply switch away. http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/who-supplies-my-electricity-and-gas/

penrhyn

When you move in its IMPERATIVE that you read the gas and electric meters and record the readings, you will need them when you contact the supplier.
If there is a water meter read that too, if you can.
Otherwise you may be charged for the previous occupiers use.