First Time Renters - Gas and Electricity Questions

keithmdw

We are moving into a rented property (3 bed house with a private landlord).

This will be the first time we have been paying our own energy bills so we are a little unclear about everything.

What happens with gas/electricity (and water but that's for another board).

I know we get a meter reading on our tenancy agreement when we sign, but what does that actually mean to us?

Will gas/electric be 'live' (still with whoever supplied the previous tenants) or will we need to get it 'switched on'?

Also, if it's live, what happens with bills? Will they just come to the property in the names of the previous tenants and we have to tell them we are now in there? And if so how does that work as it may cover the previous tenants useage and our own? Obviously we will have a meter reading so we know what is ours, but who pays for the previous tenants unbilled useage?

Sorry if these are basic questions, but when you have never done it before it is all alien.

sparklewing

When I have rented in the past I have asked landlord the names of the suppliers then on moving in day you phone the suppliers with the meter readings and tell them you have moved in on that date. They will take your names etc and then the bills will arrive every quarter in your name. At least thats how it has worked for me in the past. when you phone on move in day it may be worth asking about monthly direct debit as this spreads the cost eg if the normal quarterly bill is £60 you pay £20 per month and many suppliers offer discount for paying this way.
Hope this helps
xx

flang

I’m in the same situation. we are moving to a brand new flat and even though the Electric meter etc will be new, the builders have probably used electric for lights etc!
In this case who will pay for that electric used?

sparklewing

As far as I am aware the companies will only bill you from the date you move in and inform them you are there you could check with them when you phone on the day you move in I am pretty sure that in the new build scenario the company that built the house is billed for the builders electric use.

Fran

keithmdw wrote:

Will gas/electric be 'live' (still with whoever supplied the previous tenants) or will we need to get it 'switched on'?
Also, if it's live, what happens with bills? Will they just come to the property in the names of the previous tenants and we have to tell them we are now in there? And if so how does that work as it may cover the previous tenants useage and our own? Obviously we will have a meter reading so we know what is ours, but who pays for the previous tenants unbilled useage?

The previous tenant should have given their final reading to the companies so that they don't receive any more bills for that address. Even if the electricity is still switched on you will need to give them the new name that is to appear on the bill.

Reading your own meter at the beginning and end of a tenancy is an important habit to get into so that you get the correct bill. You are not responsible for a bill that's not in your name so if there is any electricity used by your landlord for example between tenancies you need that reading to show when you moved in. The company should send someone to read the meter when you start with them but always keep your own records too. On the bill when you receive it check the type of reading that they are billing you on. It will state A (actual) E (estimate) or C (customer) for the type of reading they've based the bill on. If it is an estimated bill (I've just had one of these even though someone had read the meter) then check to see if you have used a lot more than they say as you'd need to either put money aside in anticipation of an actual reading next time of more than you expected or you can ask them to bill you again by giving them your customer reading. Also hang on to your bills in case there's any discrepancies and they can also be used when sometimes you need to prove where you live by producing a utility bill in your name. Check with your landlord whether you can change suppliers and use Martin's article and other info on this site to get the cheapest suppliers if you are able to (have a look at your tenancy agreement to see if this is mentioned).