new to renting few questions...

Diodiva

hiya everyone, long time lurker pretty new to posting but you're all friendly so I thought i'd give it a go.

I'm currently living with my mum and my Gf lives with us, we've saved up and put together our deposit fees first months rent and security etc for moving into our own place (renting).

Done a boatload of viewings and found one we like and are currently going through the referencing atm (sent the forms back on email last night).

couple of questions for you, the property is a nice little two bedroomed starter home, the current tenants had it on an electric Key that you preloaded and put into the meter. We don't want to carry on with this and want to go onto a bill (useful for proving address etc and helpful for credit) is it a difficult thing to do?

The council tax, is that paid in arrears or does it become due when you first move in, ie will we have the month of october (we move in on the first) before we start paying it at the end of the month or do we have to start paying it on the date we move in?

Any help or tips on setting up your first home would be helpful please, my gf has had her own flat with a partner before, I've only rented a room or a shared student flat or moved in with a partner who has had a mortgage.

thanks!:j

Guest101

You may be charged if you want to replace the meter - costs vary depending on supplier


The full council tax is due for the remainder of the year as soon as you move in, but the payments are divided up based on number of months remaining and typically due on the 1st of every month.

Boatdweller

You would need permission from the landlord regarding the meter.

You will be liable for council tax from the day you take possession of the property, but it sometimes takes a while for the bill to come through.

Guest101

Boatdweller wrote: »

You would need permission from the landlord regarding the meter.

You will be liable for council tax from the day you take possession of the property, but it sometimes takes a while for the bill to come through.

The meter isn't owned by the LL so no permission required

Heliflyguy

Boatdweller wrote: »

You would need permission from the landlord regarding the meter

Dont believe you do, there was a thread here somewhere but cant find it.

It would be better to have the LL agree though otherwise they may throw a wobbly (as some do) and not allow you to renew/go onto a rolling contract in future.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-a-better-energy-deal/switching-energy-supplier-if-youre-a-tenant/

theartfullodger

Guest101 wrote: »

You may be charged if you want to replace the meter - costs vary depending on supplier......

Correct, but here's what you do....

You'll need to agree to a charge for the change: You agree, but state you are "paying under protest" - and confirm in writing/email.

When all sorted and working & you moved in you write/email the chief exec

www dot ceomail dot com

- stating you consider the charge unfair under consumer legislation and will be pursuing the compnay through small claims route: They then very likely climb down & refund you . (Well, it's worked for me at least 3 times).

You'll need to contact supplier when you move in to get the "debt" - if any - taken off or you may be paying someone else's arrears.

A tenant can choose what sort of meter & which supplier. Defo. Many agents & landlords say not. Just do it & choose your favoured supplier.

Cheers! Artful (landlord btw..)

gingercordial

Your council should let you spread the council tax over the rest of the year (they run to April). You will probably be given the choice of spreading it over 12 or 10 payments, ie more each month but February and March "off". That's up to you but I prefer to pay less every month.

My council allows a choice of direct debit dates to go out on 1st, 15th or 25th, whichever best suits your payday, but I don't know if all of them do this.

Diodiva

has anyone got any experience of having a Key meter thing? is it the faff it seems like it might be?

does it generally work out as a more expensive way to get your electricity, it's an electric only house, no gas so we're aware that our costs for elec will reflect what would normally be spent on gas as well to heat the house etc.

Re the council tax, thanks we'll contact the council nearer to the date and sort out what to do and try and get a date at the beginning of the month so that weve had payday before it's due.

Guest101

Yes it's more expensive (it's basic rate) and yes it's a faff.

AndyBSG

Diodiva wrote: »

has anyone got any experience of having a Key meter thing? is it the faff it seems like it might be?

It is a pain and it is a lot more expensive but most LL's have pre-pay meters installed because that way the tenants can't leave with the electricity account being in debit/not paying the final bill so you may find the LL will object to you changing it.

Not sure if the LL can legally stop you from doing it but you will probably find any tenancy agreement will have some sort of clause saying property must be returned in it';s original conditioning meaning you'll have to get the pre-pay re-installed at the end of the tenancy.

As mentioned on council tax, nearly all councils have a pay monthly scheme so they'll just pro rata it for when you move in and you'll pay it monthly.

Only other tip, take LOT's of photo's when you move in noting any and all damage.

That includes checking all light bulbs, all cupboard doors, limescale marks in bathroom, making sure all windows open and lock properly with serviceable hinges, any marks, stains, discolouration of carpets, general cleanliness(especially ovens), etc.

Also, make sure that your deposit is properly protected in one of the registered schemes.

Guest101

AndyBSG wrote: »

It is a pain and it is a lot more expensive but most LL's have pre-pay meters installed because that way the tenants can't leave with the electricity account being in debit/not paying the final bill so you may find the LL will object to you changing it.

Not sure if the LL can legally stop you from doing it but you will probably find any tenancy agreement will have some sort of clause saying property must be returned in it';s original conditioning meaning you'll have to get the pre-pay re-installed at the end of the tenancy.

As mentioned on council tax, nearly all councils have a pay monthly scheme so they'll just pro rata it for when you move in and you'll pay it monthly.

Only other tip, take LOT's of photo's when you move in noting any and all damage.

That includes checking all light bulbs, all cupboard doors, limescale marks in bathroom, making sure all windows open and lock properly with serviceable hinges, any marks, stains, discolouration of carpets, general cleanliness(especially ovens), etc.

Also, make sure that your deposit is properly protected in one of the registered schemes.

That's nothing to do with the LL though...