Newbie moving into a rented house - when do I start paying utilities, council tax???

pilliepop

Hi,

I divorced last year and have been in a very complex domestic situation with my ex, his father and a shared ownership house.. I am finally moving on 31st October into a rented house, however this is complete new territory for me and I am desperately trying to budget correctly so I know everything is covered..

Can anyone tell me approximately when I will start paying for the utilities? I know I need to take meter readings as soon as I move in - but presumably my use starts from then and I'm billed in arrears?

Do I start paying council tax immediately?

Any help would be most gratefully received... I feel like a bit of a child, but I haven't moved house for over 8 years and my ex always took care of these things so I feel a bit daft!

Thanks,

Mary

ognum

You need to register with utilities, including water. Take readings and for the best budget purposes set up direct debits. If not they will be charged in arrears.

Call the local authority for you CT area and you can also set up a direct debit or pay monthly in my area in advance.

PasturesNew

Register with each utility and the local Council for council tax - let them know you'll be wanting the single person discount.

The Council tax will send you a bill with all payment choices listed.
Utilities will bill you (probably quarterly). You'll then have payment choices you can make, like setting up a direct debit etc.

I'd just make sure I had £150-200/month set aside for both these amounts until I knew how much the bills were really going to work out at.