First time renter.. utility bills?

pandabrit

Hi! I'm moving into my first rented flat next weekend. It's a cosy little 1 bed apartment in my local area that I quite like and I cannot wait to be independant. I've budgeted and everything but since meeting the landlord i'm scared i'm going to let them and myself down. I've met the landlord and they're happy to rent to me even without a guarantor as I've told them my budget and everything I earn.

I'm sensible with my money, I've saved up 6 grand to move out with to allow for furniture, and all the usual first time moving expenses. I've also done up a monthly budget of expenses, although my energy bills (gas water and electric) are only estimates as I don't know what they're going to be until i've officially moved in. I don't want to spend all my savings getting furniture, I plan on shopping in charity shops, gumtree and other places and getting things second hand. To be honest i'm going to damn right stingy at first.

I'm worried about how I inform the energy people about the meter readings and all that, and i'm concerned as to when i'll get my first gas, water and electric bill. I'd like to pay it monthly but of course i don't know when they will send me my first bill and how i go about setting up monthly payments and all that..

Can anyone enlighten me on when energy companies issue first bills and how you go about it? I'm such a worrier but I want my independence. I feel as if i'm 24 and never going to move out my parents house otherwise.


Thank you.

KL0001

Find out which energy company currently supplies the property. On the day you move in contact them with that days meter readings and find out what tariff you are on. Use one of the comparison websites to see if there is a cheaper tariff you could be on, switch if there is a cheaper option. If you pay by monthly DD, they will estimate your bills initially, but with regular meter readings you will get a more accurate bill. Paying by DD will average your bill out over the 12 months, overpaying in the summer and under paying in the winter is normal.

MoneySavingMission

don't worry that's all easily fixed. Get yourself on a good tariff with the supplier and pay direct debit - its usually cheaper. good luck

D_M_E

Ask landlord who the water company is and if there is a meter then contact the company and tell them your are now the occupier and give them your meter reading, if any.

Council tax - tell your local council your move in date and, if you live on your own, ask for the single person's dicount of 25%.

buggy_boy

When you move in you will get an inventory, on this inventory there will be a section that says about the meter readings, first thing you should do is check these are correct then have a look online and find the best deal you can...

Don't worry its not that complicated...

[Deleted User]

You might have prepayment meters. Have you been able to check?

pandabrit

Thanks for the replies. There is one that as a meter, not too sure which one that is though. She did tell me but it was so much information it went in one ear as out the other.

I do have my parents to help with all that but I don!!!8217;t want to be a burden on them. It!!!8217;s going to be tight with money at first until I get my monthly payments in order but I think I!!!8217;ll be fine.

Luckily it is just me living in there so Im going to inform the council when I move in about that.

So when I first ring the energy company when I first move in can I set up monthly DD straight away or do I wait for my first bill and then set it up?

Again thank you it!!!8217;s great to be reassured!

Blondetotty

You can set everything up over the phone but I'd what KL0001 says, find out what tariff you're on and your estimated usage when you give the current supplier your meter readings on the day you move in and then do a comparison or two on different sites. If you don't you'll no doubt be paying way more than you need to than if you had shopped around. Don't panic about doing it all on the first day, as long as you take meter readings on that day you can call them and log the readings and change supplier anytime (although I'd do it within a week or so)
Good luck with your move.

ottermadness

We rented a two bed flat and we paid £35 a month for water bills and approximately £65 every three months for electric, obviously this was a bit higher during the winter! My advice would be to make sure you take your water/electric readings immediately when prompted by the supplier, if you forget they'll charge you based on what its been before and it may be a bit higher.

pandabrit

Ah brilliant thank you. I'm feeling a fair bit more confident with moving out now. I've set up a spreadsheet of my monthly expenses and everything... organised. Will read meters as soon as I move in Thank you.

Smodlet

As already mentioned, do not forget to inform the council of your moving in date for council tax purposes as well as finding out if your water supply is also metered. If it is, you will need to read that meter too and inform the local water authority/company (varies by region/location) If you don't, you will end up paying for the previous tenant's usage unless they were as scrupulous as you seem to be. Not many are.

Good luck in your new home. There is a wealth of advice on here, should you need it.