How to arrange utility bills

CrispyUK

Hi all,

Just seen the other thread about utility bills and it's reminded me of something I want to ask, won't need to do it until September but no harm knowing early!

Basically moving into a 4 bed house with friends for final year come September, we've previously been in halls or via a letting agency with all inclusive bills so not had to worry about them previously. But we need to pay for gas and electric this time round (water rates included).

I'm not too concerned about whose name to put on the bills or how to arrange paying them or all that, my query is about how you get started with them in the first place and what to do when moving out.

Is it just a case of taking meter readings when we move in, ringing up the utility companies and saying we've moved in, meter says this, bill to xxx please. And when we move out do we read meters again, ring them up and get the final bill and pass it back to the landlord for the summer?

What about switching suppliers, do we have a choice there, or does that depend on the landlord?

And if anyone could guestimate what we're looking at per week/month for a 4 bed that'd be helpful (I know it will depend on lots of things but a ballpark ideas would be good! )

[Deleted User]

you need to inform the gas/electric supplier(s)before you move in otherwise they may disconnect the supply,also make sure you take meter readings and make a note of them,also confirm then with the supplier,so you dont end up paying for someone elses bill !
I would think the landlord will know who the current supplier is.
As regards cost,difficult to guess as you know,but somewhere around £25-£30 a week for a 4 bed house

CLAPTON

consider when you actually become tenants... often that's July rather than september

Stubert

When you move out you call the utilities companies with your final readings, they'll send you a bill to an alternate address and then they'll send you a certificate (or whatever you wanna call it) saying you've paid all your bills. You then send that to your landlord who after they have received that should give your deposit back.

It could be cheaper to switch suppliers but in a student house that you're going to only be there for 8-10 months it probably isn't worth the hassle.

As Clapton mentioned you will probably be responsible for bills from July so if you're landlord uses and electricity in the house for decorating etc etc you'll be responsible for it!

CrispyUK

Cheers for the info,

We've arranged a fairly late start to the tenancy, it runs from 20th September through to the following July, enjoy a bit of the summer down in Plymouth seeing as it's the final year