Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Sandra Nicoll — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:17:06 GMT

If normal meter, keep your readings - as when we moved out of our last place the owner had the gas/electricity running and tried to increase our final bill, which I fought and won as I had all the readings...

If you want to change suppliers, you may need to get the landlord/rental companies permission (we did just to be safe)!

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:12:33 GMT

Not related to moving house, but to money! No harm in checking if you entitled to working tax credits

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:54:13 GMT

Dont jump to a water meter find out FIRST what the rates are then look into it carefully take a few months you can go onto the mse site think Phion gave you look up water and once settled do the test to see if you will benefit. With water my rates were 305/quarter A friend of mine in another part of wigan is £40/quarter

Let the council know so they can sort rates from date you move in and if alone make sure you tell them that so cheaper rates.

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Sal the 1st — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:00:04 GMT

[quote user="Katietaz"]

My advice if you find you have pre-payment meters is to get new cards and keep nagging the company if your cards don't arrive within a couple of days. Also check you have a zero balance (or are only paying off any emergency credit they give you)and get it in writing. At our old flat we ended up paying off a balance for a previous tennant who had got in arrears big time, which was why the meter had been put in. We didn't realise and just thought because the heating ran on electric as well it was just more expensive. By the time we queried it Eastern Electric said it was too late

[/quote]

Npower and British Gas are notorious for this as well - thats how I ended up with a monthly direct debit of £170 on a 1 bed flat. They were trying to recoup the bill left by a previous tenant and whilst they were fully aware I was a new tenant they were 'trying it on' to get their money back.

If you are not on a prepayment meter make sure you take all the meter readings as you move in because if you dont any power or gas that has been used since the previous tenant left (ie heating left on by decorators to dry paint or gas where boiler has been left running on a timer) you will have to pay for. If you are renting it is best if you go in with the landlord and you both read the meters and each keep a copy. That way you both know at what point your bills starts.

If you can get on a water meter it should be a good bit cheaper unless you are doing tons of washing everyday or bathing in an olympic size swimming pool every night. I have reduced my water charges from £44 to £13 a month

As far as suppliers go - see if there are any old bills kicking around from previous tenant it might give you a few clues as to who your supplier is or look for stickers either on or around the meters. Eon used to give out free carbon monoxide monitor cards to customers so see if one of these is stuck anywhere near your boiler. The landlord might have a clause to say you can only use the suppliers they specify so might be worth checking with them.

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:05:36 GMT

PS no-one in our street has a water meter. We had water connected when we moved in even though the house had been unoccupied for about six months. I guess the bill had been in the landlords name. We just rang the water board and told them we'd moved in so they could put my husband's name on the bill. You can't choose who you get water from, the water board is split into regions - they'll be in the phone book (showing my age!!) and usually named after your county / area.

K x

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Sally Seddon — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:04:24 GMT

Celine, thank you for asking these questions! My boyf and i are in the process of finding a housse to rent and ive never done it before either. I was wondering the same things, its all a bit confusing isnt it?! I hope you find somewhere nice

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 07:58:18 GMT

[quote user="Steph Worsley"]and you may find that gas/electricity may be on prepayment meters (in which case make sure you have a card for each so you can put money on as required)[/quote]

When we moved into our house the previous tenant hadn't left cards for the gas/elec. We're with Scottish Power who did something their end to put "emergency" power on both meters but it ran out before the cards arrived. They ended up having to send a man round.

Don't forget to sort out the council tax and tv licence as well.

Apart from all of that enjoy Greece and good luck in your new home

K x

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Phrin Vernon RVN — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:37:49 GMT

I've found that the landlord / rental agency will give you current, or the last supplier details, and from there you have to be prepared to do a bit of online research, and endure a few annoyingly long phone calls. But then once everything is set up, you are good to go!

If you can, visit MSE - click here - don't be afraid to post a new thread and ask questions - they will help you through it and help you get the best deal too!

Re: Help! House-moving and clueless ;P

Steph Worsley — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:54:24 GMT

I tend to find it easier to go with the original companies to start from (you can always switch provider!) ask the landlords if gas/electricity etc are still on, if not you need to ring the provider and ask for it all to be connected prior to you moving in.

Not all rental properties are on a water meter, and you may find that gas/electricity may be on prepayment meters (in which case make sure you have a card for each so you can put money on as required)

Your landlords/letting agent should be able to help you out with any questions you may have, but feel free to ask any other questions