Please help me with Gas and Electricity!

TJ17

Hi there,

I'm part of 5 students looking to move into a private rented house over the next couple of months and I'm finding it very confusing.

We're trying to get a feel of how much we're likely to spend and would really appreciate some help. I've tried looking for quotes but everyone asks how much we're spending with our current provider - but we're all in halls and so don't pay anything right now and so don't know how much we'll use.

Another thing is that direct debits are set amounts that are estimated - we don't like this either as it means if it's wrong, we will be paying too much and will have to wait to get it back and if it's too low, we'll get stung after the 12 months. We'd much rather pay by direct debit where the amount varies depending on actual usage.

If anyone can give us any advice or knows any fuel companies that can do this, it would be much appreciated. (The student specific ones such as Glide are terrible, their tariffs take advantage)

prosaver

I pay 70 a month and have gas cental heating ,as long as know one use electric fires it should be about 50 quid a month each ..anyway read the meter first day and at the end of week too ..then work it out...u student are suppose to be brainy ..is someone doing a maths degree ..get them to work it out ha ha .. ( in a nice voice )

JJ_Egan

Unless you have actual usage then it has to be estimated .All the comparison sites will let you use average type of property number of occupants etc .
As its students then i would rather overestimate than under as they will have no concept of turning the lights off .

Key though is who is going to be the one with their name on the bill . That is the one responsible for paying the bill and any debt if others don't pay .

Joyful

Go with a company that will let you pay for your exact usage. I would suggest one with online billing so you can manually enter your monthly meter readings and create a bill to pay. You will have to work out how to make sure you all pay so you do not get any arrears charges. I know you can do this with British Gas but I'm sure there are others to. An alternative is to get your bill 3 monthly and have the whole amount taken from your bank account by Variable Direct Debit a few days later.

footyguy

TJ17 wrote: »

Hi there,

I'm part of 5 students looking to move into a private rented house over the next couple of months and I'm finding it very confusing.

We're trying to get a feel of how much we're likely to spend and would really appreciate some help. I've tried looking for quotes but everyone asks how much we're spending with our current provider - but we're all in halls and so don't pay anything right now and so don't know how much we'll use.

Another thing is that direct debits are set amounts that are estimated - we don't like this either as it means if it's wrong, we will be paying too much and will have to wait to get it back and if it's too low, we'll get stung after the 12 months. We'd much rather pay by direct debit where the amount varies depending on actual usage.

If anyone can give us any advice or knows any fuel companies that can do this, it would be much appreciated. (The student specific ones such as Glide are terrible, their tariffs take advantage)

Most students rent student houses, so ask the current tenants what it is costing them

Otherwise consult a comparison site - they almost all can assist you even if you don't know your anticipated annual consumption.

Many comparison sites allow you to filter results to your preferred method of payment.
e.g. with EHL you can show just 'pay on receipt of bill' tariifs or 'Quarterly Direct Debit' (which is also pay on receipt of bill, but that payment is then collected by DD)

Note that not paying monthly by DD will usually mean you will end up paying more than you otherwise need to.

One other option is to pay monthly for what you use - this will mean you having to meter readings, else you will still be paying estimated amounts (and if you are providing regular meter readings, you don't need to be a post graduate in Mathematics to work out what you are using, what it costs and how that compares to what you are paying anyway), but if that is the way you want to go, look for tariffs that are described as 'variable month DD'

spiro

BG do offer a Smart Monthly billing option which can be used with most tariffs. As it works with a smart meter you don't even have to worry about reading the meter. A tariff like this sounds idea for students because you are paid up to date every month which is good if someone moves out.

footyguy

spiro wrote: »

BG do offer a Smart Monthly billing option which can be used with most tariffs. As it works with a smart meter you don't even have to worry about reading the meter. A tariff like this sounds idea for students because you are paid up to date every month which is good if someone moves out.

The issues I see here are that this is a rented house.
I guess it currently does not have a BG smart meter at present, and if one were to be installed, it will only work in smart mode with BG.
A change of meter in a rented property could cause issues with the tenancy (the property needs to be returned in the same condition as it was let, etc), so best to get the written approval in advance from the landlord before making such changes to the landlord's property.

I'm not going to respond to any contrary claims in this regard, so feel free to bring them on (users inclined to do so will know who they are) - I would simply advise people who don't believe me, or wish to go ahead to read the various MSE articles about changing meters in rented property first)

Other suppliers who support smart metering are available ... but all the same issues apply.

Cisco001

Allow £25 to 30 per person per month for 10 months
Since you are student, it usually be someone home all the time.
Also, you dont want the account holder lose out when everyone disappear in summer and didnt make the payment.