Student bills

rachielou15

I am currently trying to set up the bills for my student house for the next year that will have a total occupancy of 5 girls.
I'm trying to find the best deals for gas and electric. But I do not know the current energy supplier selected by the previous tenants and I'm unsure where to go from here.
Is a fixed tariff for the year better than a fixed rate of so many pence per kWh?
Any help would be appreciated

spiro

fixed tariff and fixed rate are the same thing, the cost per unit is fixed for a period of time. Don't make the mistake of thinking a fixed rate is like a all you can eat buffet which other people have.

System

rachielou15 wrote: »

I am currently trying to set up the bills for my student house for the next year that will have a total occupancy of 5 girls.
I'm trying to find the best deals for gas and electric. But I do not know the current energy supplier selected by the previous tenants and I'm unsure where to go from here.
Is a fixed tariff for the year better than a fixed rate of so many pence per kWh?
Any help would be appreciated

When you move in, you must contact the existing (deemed) supplier and give them your details and meter readings. You are then free to switch but you will pay the deemed supplier for all energy used up until the date of the actual transfer.

Who are my suppliers:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/connections-and-moving-home/who-my-gas-or-electricity-supplier

Take on board Spiro's point; provide your supplier with actual meter readings once a month and make sure that you have some form form of written agreement with your friends about paying for energy. Above all monitor your usage/bills. I use a 99p IOS app called Meters. Enter your tariff and a start meter reading and it will give you an updated amount owed each time you enter a meter reading. Ignore all credit and debit balances on your online account unless they are based on an actual meter reading taken the same day. Best of luck.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Many of the cheaper tariffs require payment by Direct Debit.

As said above, it is most important that you contact the existing supplier with your meter readings on the day you move in(water too - even if not metered). Failure to do so could result in you paying for the previous occupant's energy.

Over the years we have had scores of posts where students have fallen out over payment of bills; particularly at the end of the tenancy. Some points on this aspect that can cause problems.

1. Electric heaters in bedrooms can use large amounts of electricity. However don't forget that many bedrooms have radiators sized to achieve lower temperatures than reception rooms.

2. Boyfriends/friends staying for long periods using washing/cooking/showers etc. Establish ground rules!

3. People staying in house when term ends. Establish ground rules!

4. Who pays the bill? and how are contributions collected? Having 5 names on the account won't help. In the case of problems anyone of the 5 girls can be held liable for the WHOLE bill - see 'jointly and severally liable'. Defaulting on a bill can damage credit records.

footyguy

rachielou15 wrote: »

I am currently trying to set up the bills for my student house for the next year that will have a total occupancy of 5 girls.
I'm trying to find the best deals for gas and electric.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

rachielou15 wrote: »

But I do not know the current energy supplier selected by the previous tenants and I'm unsure where to go from here.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=I+do+not+know+the+current+energy+supplier

rachielou15 wrote: »

Is a fixed tariff for the year better than a fixed rate of so many pence per kWh?
Any help would be appreciated

It's the same thing

Good luck!