Agreed Let on first rented property - what to do about bills?

jellytotzuk

Hi all,

Based in South East England.

My partner and I have agreed a let on our first rented property (electic and gas - EPC C). We can't move in until April 22nd. The estate agent sent us a brochure to OneUtilityBill, however I would rather not take them up on this option.

I have looked on Uswitch and it states the property is on Octopus Fexible Plan April 2022 and advised not to change as prices are increasing in April. It wouldn't offer any other comparisons.

This is out first time renting a property and we are not sure how to manage the bills. With the 1st April just around the corner, what is the best way to organise our bills please? Do we start organising now or when we move into the property? Any sensible advice would be greatly appreciated by us.

canaldumidi

You are responsible for the bills from the date your tenancy starts, whether you move in on that date or later.

You need to contact the existing suppier(s), and the council tax dept, and set up accounts in your name, giving them meter readings as at the tenancy start date.

You are then free to switch supplier later if you feelthat is the best thing to do.

jellytotzuk

canaldumidi said:

You are responsible for the bills from the date your tenancy starts, whether you move in on that date or later.

You need to contact the existing suppier(s), and the council tax dept, and set up accounts in your name, giving them meter readings as at the tenancy start date.

You are then free to switch supplier later if you feelthat is the best thing to do.

Thanks, but do I organise that before I move in or the day I move in? We have no what to do sorry.

JGB1955

Take a photo of the meter reading on the day you move in.  Then contact Octopus (and refuse to sign up for any fix - stick to their Standard Variable Rate).

You'll need to sign up with the water supplier and council tax too.

AlexMac

I wouldn't set up any contracts or make any payments til I moved into a property, as who knows what can go wrong (not that it will, lol!).
So do the research and comparisons, check that you can put the Council Tax on Direct Debit online (but maybe ask 'em to confirm you'll be getting the Chancellor's £150 bung; the "CT rebate for bands A-D) so you then do as canaldumidi says; double checking the readings.

The energy and water providers won't actually cut you off anyway, even if you delay; in my experience they just start writing to "The occupant" if no-one is paying, unless your agent has contacted 'em, which is unlikely.

And as regards choice of Energy Provider or Tariff, as the advice on this website and elsewhere for the past 6 months has been that I'm unlikely to be offered a fixed price which is less than the OFGEN cap, I've just decided to stay on the capped variable rate after my 2-year cheap fix ceased last year.   My energy usage is very average, about £1kpa, but even OVO, my provider, who have hitherto been really honest and effective, could only offer me a fix on about £1.9k last October, whereas the capped variable rate was about £1-4k, and now they can't even quote me!  So I'm sitting on my hands!

theartfullodger

Understand you can't move in until April 22nd.  When does contract start - same date?

dimbo61

Just take dated photos on the day you move in and contact the Energy people, Water, Council Tax, TV licence and give readings and set up accounts,
Confirm readings with lettings agents by email with photos so you have proof what they were when you moved in.
You will have fuel used to pay and Standing charges each day

Slithery

dimbo61 said:

Just take dated photos on the day you move in and contact the Energy people, Water, Council Tax, TV licence and give readings and set up accounts,

Not necessarily the day that you move in...
You're liable from the date the tenancy starts.