Student House Bills - Quick Question

johnny_c-l

Hi, just a quick question here:

I'm moving into a house with 3 others in a couple of weeks and we are still to sort out the bills. What I'd like to know is how to set up an account with a utility company; is it as simple as just filling in a form on the website then they become your provider? Ie, the closing of any previous accounts is done by the previous tenants?

Hopefully it is that simple!

Thanks in advance
JCL

Stubert

Presuming the previous tenants have told the utility companies when they left when a new bill comes its easier to transfer it over, over the phone then it can be put in multiple names if needs be. The previous registered company will automatically be your provider. You will just get a bill eventually addressed to the The Occupier which you are then required to pay. Simple as pie, bill comes you pay it (at least in theory). But make sure they know when you moved in etc (the start of your contract) so in case the last tenants didn't shut down the account or something.

hebangsthedrums

I did the gas and electric in our house. I just called up npower the day we moved in, gave meter readings and it was all set up on the spot. Not sure if this is the same for all companies though.

Torby

One name on bill...one person responsible
All names on bill...everyone responsible...probably whoever they can catch!
Organised through letting agent...you will probably find final bill goes to them and they forward it to you/everyone...then refuse to pay back your security deposit (or whatever its called) till the bills are cleared

katykatkins

i'm in the same position, and i'm just SO confused by having to sort out bills for the first time. all we have got is internet.. we have to sort everything else... has anyone got any ideas as to whats cheapest/easiest?! we need gas, elec, telephone (pref capped, we're poor students!) water and telly?!!
thanks (ps this is my first post!)

LilMissEmmylou

most students dont use the land line, at least we never, we had incoming calls but just had the line for the net tbh. Everything else just split it between whoever lives there, put all the names on the bills. Its not that hard - just ring up the company who supplies ur electric,gas etc and they will sort u out over the phone

melancholly

i'd advise everyone to do a meter reading when they move in, just to be sure that the last people in the house gave an accurate one.... much easier to sort out now rather than when the first bill comes in!

Stubert

katykatkins wrote: »

i'm in the same position, and i'm just SO confused by having to sort out bills for the first time. all we have got is internet.. we have to sort everything else... has anyone got any ideas as to whats cheapest/easiest?! we need gas, elec, telephone (pref capped, we're poor students!) water and telly?!!
thanks (ps this is my first post!)

the gas, electricity and water will already have assigned companies. as far as im aware you cant choose your water company anyway! its probably easier just to go with the company that supplies your house already for electricity and gas. just pay the bills when it comes through your door. telephone you'll probably have to connect yourself through BT as I dont really see the previous tenants paying the bill for you!

Perversia

If you want to change gas and electricity supplier, use one of the companies that Martin suggests like uSwitch because that will help you make comparisons.

I (tried) to sort out most things before I moved in. I worked out who I wanted to use for internet (again, you can use uSwitch or similar for comparison) and then that made me realise I needed BT phone line so I sorted that over the phone (bizarrely, my order was cancelled so I had to sort it out at the nearest payphone once I moved in!). Water was easy as you can only use the company in your area (your landlord can tell you if you don't know). Gas and electric ended up in a mess for ages (my fault really) but I eventually got it switched. Basically, if you switch, the old company will send a bill (probably to the occupier) for the final amount and then close the account. If you need to, contact them about meter readings if they're really wrong on your bill. Then you'll just get bills off the new company. You'll need a TV license if you plan on having a TV so that can be sorted. Plus you'll need to contact the council with exemption letters so you don't have to pay council tax.

I personally put all the bills in my name as I will kick the !!! of the other two if they don't pay me. If you want to put it in all of your names, set up an account in all the names too and then get direct debits set up for your bills. Most things can be done online or over the phone at worst.

melancholly

Perversia wrote: »

I personally put all the bills in my name as I will kick the !!! of the other two if they don't pay me.

:eek: that scares me! i'd make everyone take a bill in their name, so that no-one is responsible for the lot if people don't pay. it's difficult with 'friends' if people don't pay up immediately and it goes wrong quite a lot, no matter how well you think you know people.

ames123_2

melancholly wrote: »

:eek: that scares me! i'd make everyone take a bill in their name, so that no-one is responsible for the lot if people don't pay. it's difficult with 'friends' if people don't pay up immediately and it goes wrong quite a lot, no matter how well you think you know people.

Yeah I agree.

Be careful with bills, make sure you get the money off everyone!