Bill Paying in a flat, electricity estimation?

[Rick_1138]

Hi folks,

I am moving into a flat with my GF in 2 weeks and I have some questions I was wondering if some could give me advice on so I have an idea what I am going to be setting up.

Basically I have never moved house before, I have lived in a separate half of my parents house, paying rent and bills etc.

However this has always come out of my own current account and was simple direct debit setup etc.

With moving into the flat the GF and I talked about setting up a single account that we could both pay into for bills, or we split the bills so we pay roughly the same a month but from each others current accounts.

The main bills will be obviously, rent, which we will have set standing orders to the landlady, Council Tax, which she is looking to pay, and electricity which I am looking to pay (should work out about the same.

The main question I have is how do I know how much to have ready in my account to pay the first electricity bill, as I have no idea what it may cost (electric central heating, economy 10) so it will be higher than normal electricity costs as my current house is oil fired.

Do the electric company do an estimate of usage for the first bill, then go by usage proper afterwards?

Also I am looking to get phone contract and broadband, I am with PlusNet at the moment, but I am changing that account so it is in my parents name as I set up the home broadband and pay it. If I want to keep PlusNet do I still need to set up a new contract with them i.e. as a new customer? Would I need a MAC code or would that oly apply if changing to say Virgin media or Sky?

I know these can be answered by calling and asking but we are away on holiday next week and I have a week off work after to start moving stuff and I wanted some direction as to what I will need to maybe look at sorting ASAP so its ready when I move and am paying on time

Cheers folks.

[Tino]

Probably the easiest thing to do is as you suggested, set up a joint account that you each put in a determined amount monthly from your earnings, and then pay all bills through DD from it.
Get a joint credit card for food and groceries, again paid by DD from the joint account.
Energy companies will estimate usage and set up a monthly payment, and then alter it as you go along.
Plusnet will set you up with a new account. I recently moved after 7 months with plusnet, and they just put me on their new latest best offer, which was £4.99 unlimited for 12 months.
You need to speak to them a couple of weeks before moving in so that they can have it ready and running on the day that you move in.
Take a picture of the meter readings when you first move in so that you have them to hand.

[Rick_1138]

Cheers, that sounds a lot like I had in my head, but I just want to be sure I have cash ready and not getting stuck without or overcharged etc.

[fido]

Get an internet account set up so you can send them frequent readings. The first bill might be a bit high or low but it can be corrected afterwards if you can prove your actual usage. Sounds a bit dweeby but stick the readings on a spreadsheet (along with your other outgoings) so you can keep track.

[GuyWMD]

When I moved into my place I was initially put onto the same estimated bills as the previous occupants. With it just being me instead of the couple before my usage was lower. I just kept a monthly reading then when I changed supplier I had a more accurate answer to what I was actually using.

Personally if I was in your situation I'd open a joint account for all bills and expenses and divide all the outgoings by 2 and both put that in each month. To start with both chip in more so you've got a reserve in case they're higher than you thought. If not great you've got some extra money for big purchases or to leave in there just in case.