Lack of direct debits

Irenedm_2

Hi all

I find myself in an unusual situation - I'm unable to switch to any of the "best" bank account as I lack two direct debits. My rent is a standing order, my phone bills are pay as you go (giffgaff) and gas/electricity/internet gets taken from a joint account I have with my boyfriend as we cohabit. Same with my only credit card.

I could apply for another credit card, but that would only be one direct debit. All the bills are on my boyfriend´s name so moving one to me would be a hassle (plus defeating the point of having a joint account). Is there any payment I could change to a direct debit?? I don't want to spend more just so I can apply for a bank account!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

YorkshireBoy

Switch (for an incentive) to a bank which does not require DDs to be switched? eg Halifax or FD.

Super_Whiskey

You don't need two direct debits to open a bank account. 'Good' or otherwise. Some banks require 2 d/ds to match their switching criteria though and be eligible for certain bonuses. If you're not switching your bank account then you can just open up a new one as and when you like.

Either way, you could set a direct debit up to pay a charity £1 a month if you wish.

Irenedm_2

Thanks for the replies! Yes what I meant was that I wanted to switch my current bank account in order to get the bonuses - so no point in going through the hassle unless I have the two direct debits. For instance, Hallifax requires the two direct debits for the 5 pounds/month "interest". I'll consider the charity, cheers!

YorkshireBoy

Irenedm wrote: »

so no point in going through the hassle unless I have the two direct debits.

There's every point! The Halifax offer ends soon. They may not run another one. Simply switch with no DDs and then set them up later for the Reward payment.

NB, it's not uncommon for charity DDs to take up to a month be set up...and by that time the current Halifax £125 offer will have been pulled. If they replace it with a £100 offer, you've thrown away the equivalent of 5 months Reward payments.

Irenedm_2

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

There's every point! The Halifax offer ends soon. They may not run another one. Simply switch with no DDs and then set them up later for the Reward payment.

NB, it's not uncommon for charity DDs to take up to a month be set up...and by that time the current Halifax £125 offer will have been pulled. If they replace it with a £100 offer, you've thrown away the equivalent of 5 months Reward payments.

You raise a very valid point! I'll look into it

colsten

gocardless.com lets you set up any number of DDs.

xylophone

A Tesco everyday saver and Tesco Internet Saver ( you would open one of each) permit setting up DDs to pull from other accounts.

Kernel_Sanders

Irenedm wrote: »

gas/electricity/internet gets taken from a joint account I have with my boyfriend as we cohabit.

Presuming you mean it's taken by DD, why can't you move these into single accounts (maybe one fuel each)?

Irenedm_2

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

KernelSanders, both electricity/gas are paid jointly to OVO, and the internet bill is way less so it wouldn't be an even split. The only option would be for me to pay the fuel bill and for my bf to set up a standing order to pay me, but then we'd need to change the account name holder (doable, but a hassle). We usually put his name on the bill as the as I'm terrible at standing my ground on the telephone if something goes awry (plus I avoid having to spell out my very long, very Spanish surname every time )

Dan83

HSBC doesn't need any direct debits either, or if it does I missed that part in the T&Cs