New Renter Needs Energy Supplier Advice

Stevewade48

Hi all
My first post!
Im moving into a rented house this coming weekend, ive been in all inclusive for years and before that you only had limited options for enrgy supplier.
I am seriously lost about who to contact or where to go to sort my energy supplier out.
there are tons of ads, lots of companies, every tim i go shopping i get accosted by some sales person to trying to get me to sign up. until now i could say i lived in an HMO .

I move in This weekend and want to get this sorted asap.
is it best to use the same supplier for both gas and electric?

Any help or tips is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

grumpycrab

Not familiar with how to manage utiities through renting (e.g. is gas/electric included in the rental or do you pay directly...) but a couple of notes.
On moving in write down meter reads and take pictures and safely file them so you can refer to later; take -and record- monthly reads (or weekly at the start to give you an idea of winter usage)
Sign up with MSE club
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub

You obviously know the address, and this is a guide to usage...which you can refine on a weekly/monthly basis...

Gas High 18000 kWh
Medium 12500
Low 8000

Elec High 4600 kWh
Medium 3100
Low 2000

sevenhills

Stevewade48 wrote: »

I move in This weekend and want to get this sorted asap.
is it best to use the same supplier for both gas and electric?

Any help or tips is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

Take a photo of the meter readings, just to be on the safe side.

dogshome

The rule is that you use must use the existing supplier from the day you move in, contact them to notify the date of your occupancy and give them the meter readings.


Once they send you a 'Welcome Pack' the account is established and you are free to change to another supplier

tacpot12

You can use the Uswitch website to see what tariffs are on offer, but be wary about choosing the cheapest company; some have very poor customer service and some are too small to survive if they mis-calculate the demand and hence the price at which they buy energy.

Getting evidence of the meter readings on the day you take possession is vitally important as has been said. (Make sure you do the same on the last day of the tenancy)

Stevewade48

Thanks GC . the utilities are not included and i will be paying directly to the supplier for them.
Good idea to take images of meters and keep safe.
i'm frankly petrified about having huge energy bills coming in .
Ill keep an eye on the meters and compare the readings to that scale posted

Stevewade48

Ill be moving to Thatcham, Berkshire.
I will try to update my profile details today

charlotte1994

When I moved in I used you will be able to use gas and electric in your new place but it will be already with a company. It's really easy to switch! Get quotes, some times companies will offer duel fuel discounts. Call up the company you are currently with when you move in (you'll get a letter from them, if not, ask the LL who you are with) and let them know when you are going to switch, they will give you a date when they will no longer be your energy supplier, you can then book the new company to start providing energy on that date.

It's not as bad as you would think! If I can do it, anyone can! Are you living alone? It might be worth looking into the duel fuel discount, also keep them up to date with monthly meter readings so you have more accurate bills.

whyigetmorelikes

I always try to avoid the big six energy suppliers because they are often the most expensive. Search for customer service reviews. Some suppliers offer a cheaper rate but their customer service is very poor.