Most efficient way to pay utilities during student void

Landlordat86

I'm a landlord of a student let property. The students are liable for the utility bills between 1st September and 2nd August. I'm liable for the utilities in the void period from 3rd to 31st August each year with new students moving in on 1st September. Each year I seem to have a headache getting the energy supplier to put the account in my name for the short period and to pay the right amount (which is only a piddly amount). We're currently with Octopus Energy. This year has added fun as Octopus tell me they stopped supplying the property mid August and British Gas are now supplying. The very helpful student advises that they just closed their account and paid their final bill so I have no clue what's happened there! Are there any student landlords out there who have this short changeover better organised than me? Is there a more efficient way of doing this or a company that can understand the requirements? 
Any helpful advice would be appreciated. 

Ectophile

Do you have a managing agent between you and the students? Because some sneaky managing agents will switch suppliers to gain a commission.

Alnat1

In Sheffield many students start their tenancies on 1st August, the day after the previous batch have left. Most don't actually move in until September but do end up being liable for and energy used by the landlord sprucing the place up.

It's a bit of a rip off for the students but almost all the landlords do it there, so the students who want the best properties end up paying an extra month. It it can be easier for those moving between houses though, as they don't have to drag all their gear back to their parents house for a few weeks.

It seems to be a thing in each city, that the landlords all come up with the same dates, so the students have little choice.

Landlordat86

Ectophile said:

Do you have a managing agent between you and the students? Because some sneaky managing agents will switch suppliers to gain a commission.

No, we manage the property. I think after doing a bit of delving that the student who's been paying the bills told Octopus that they wanted to 'leave' rather than that they were 'moving out', hence I think it reverts to British Gas by default. Still, that aside, it's still a headache each year

molerat

Landlordat86 said:

Ectophile said:

Do you have a managing agent between you and the students? Because some sneaky managing agents will switch suppliers to gain a commission.

No, we manage the property. I think after doing a bit of delving that the student who's been paying the bills told Octopus that they wanted to 'leave' rather than that they were 'moving out', hence I think it reverts to British Gas by default. Still, that aside, it's still a headache each year

Nope, you would need to actively change supplier, there is no default, the current supplier sticks until changed.  So your choice to leave it with BG and pay them during the void and let the new tenants carry on with BG or whoever they want to move to.  Is it a house or a flat ?  Are there loads of rented properties in the area ?  Could simply be an erroneous switch if loads of people coming and going all the time.

saajan_12

Landlordat86 said:

Ectophile said:

Do you have a managing agent between you and the students? Because some sneaky managing agents will switch suppliers to gain a commission.

No, we manage the property. I think after doing a bit of delving that the student who's been paying the bills told Octopus that they wanted to 'leave' rather than that they were 'moving out', hence I think it reverts to British Gas by default. Still, that aside, it's still a headache each year

There's no default. Maybe the student actively opened a British Gas account meant for their new address and inadvertently selected this one? Or intentionally selected this one for a new customer bonus? 

Either way I don't stress too much about it, as there's no massive urgency. The supplier at the time will write to the occupier property once the outgoing tenants have closed their accounts, so you follow instructions to set your start and end dates for your liability. 

Landlordat86 said:

Are there any student landlords out there who have this short changeover better organised than me? Is there a more efficient way of doing this or a company that can understand the requirements? 
Any helpful advice would be appreciated. 

I guess the ultimate (nuclear?) option is to change to 12 month tenancies, at 11/12 of the rent each month. Or see if the outgoing tenants who know you a bit better will hold off on closing their account for a month and you pay them back the amount, plus bit to say thanks.