Setting up gas and electricity when renting a new home

How to set up gas and electricity when renting?

Setting up gas and electricity when renting can be an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t have to be. If your rental agreement states that you are responsible for paying all of your own utilities, then you might also be required to pay for the following:

• Gas
• Electricity
• Water
• Council Tax
• Agency Fees
• Broadband
• Insurance
• Landline (if applicable)
• TV License (if applicable)

If you find that you are responsible for the utilities mentioned above then it will be up to you to decide which providers you use for each service. The most important of which is undoubtedly your energy supply, simply because neglecting to sign up could result in significant fines should the rental properly incur any internal damages.

Who supplies your energy?

First you need to find out who already supplies gas and electricity to your new flat. The easiest way to do this is to ask the previous owners, tenants or the developer, in the case of a new building.

If the people who lived in the flat before you have notified the energy supplier of their move, you should also receive a letter addressed to the “resident” when you move in. In it you will find all the necessary information about your gas and electricity supplier or your dual fuel supplier.

To set up a new supplier, you can call our number to speak to one of our energy experts that can help match you to the right supplier for your needs and property. Once you confirm which supplier you want we can handle all the process alongside you, so you won’t have to worry about telling your old supplier or signing any confusing documents. Our team will ensure that you are getting the best deal possible with a supplier that meets all of your expectations.

What are my gas and electricity meters?

Before setting up gas and electricity when renting, the first is to work out what kind of meters your rented property has. It will typically have one for electricity and one for gas.

There are usually two types of meters commonly found in rental properties:

1. Regular credit meters
2. Prepayment meters

There is another kind of meter called the Economy 7 but these are not common in rented properties.

A credit meter, commonly called a standard meter or a single rate meter has no limit to how much energy you use each billing period (typically a month) and then at the end of that period you get a total bill for all the energy you’ve used.

How to take a meter reading?

If you are moving into a rented property with this kind of meter then it is essential you take a meter reading as soon as move in. This will prevent you from being charged for energy that the property used before you moved in, you will take one gas meter reading and one electric meter reading.

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Once you take a reading and have properly recorded it by writing it down and taking a picture, you should get in touch with the provider to let them know what the readings state. While doing this, it is a good idea to check that the details on the account are correct or you could end up paying the previous tenants bills in case they haven’t been paid for already.

What if I have a prepayment meter?

Many landlords choose to use prepayment meters because they prevent tenants running up large energy debt against the property. A prepayment meter means you pay your energy bills in advance either by purchasing tokens or by adding a credit card to a key or card which can be topped up manually. This operates in much the same way as a prepaid mobile phone.

The main downside of prepayment meters is that the energy is often more expensive. You can always ask your landlord to swap the prepayment meter for a credit meter or smart meter. However, if this is not possible it is still worth comparing energy prices to see if you could save by switching tariffs.

What if I share a house?

If you only rent a room and share the energy with other renters then you may need to come to an agreement with your fellow renters for one person to be responsible for having the bills in their name. However, you need to ensure that bills are being paid on time as running up debts for a rental property could still cause problems for you as a renter.

What are my rights as a tenant?

As a renter there are several rights that you are entitled to that will not only protect your energy supply but also give you the power to choose the right supplier for you. In fact, UK laws dictate that if you are made responsible for your rental property’s energy supply then you are legally allowed to switch the energy supplier.

According to Ofgem reportedly found that less than 25% of tenants in the UK actually ever switch the supplier of their rental property from the one that was already in place when they moved in. If your tenancy agreement states that you are not allowed to switch suppliers you may not be able to do so freely without your landlord’s permission, but showing them evidence of potential savings if they switch can be an effective way to win them over.

Tenant rights to control heating for a rental property

As a tenant you are entitled at minimum a certain level of heating in every room that rent, and your rights for heating expand to include the following:

• A boiler for heated water.
• Central heating or equipment for heating in every room.
• Capability of reaching at minimum 18°C in bedrooms and at least 21°C in common living spaces, but only when the outside temperature falls bellow 0°C.
• Constant availability of heat, 24/7.
• Landlord is responsible to repair or replace any broken equipment that was not damaged by the tenant.

If you should lose access to heat in your apartment that it is your responsibility to reach out to your landlord to notify them, and by law, they are required to take action as soon as reasonably possible. If you have two documented instances of notifying your landlord about the issue and still nothing has been done, then you have the right to approach the local council.

For the last resort, however, if you find that you have to pay for the repairs or replacements on your own, you could potentially be reimbursed for those costs if you make a formal legal claim about the issue.

In essence, while the quality and cost of heat for your apartment is not completely regulated it will you are entitled as a tenant in the UK to have access to and control of your rental properties heating. Unless stated otherwise in your tenancy agreement, your landlord cannot legally turn off your heat or disrupt the flow of energy to your rental property.

What are the Landlord’s Rights?

There are certain things that your landlord will have to maintain control over, many of these should be clearly stated in the tenancy agreement, but if anything isn’t clear it should be worth asking the landlord directly before you sign!

For instance, your landlord has the right to choose the gas and electric supplier only in certain circumstances, which include:

• When the landlord pays the energy supplier directly and then reclaims the money from you as the tenant.
• When the cost of energy for the property is built into the rent for the property.
• If the rental property is in between tenancies.

What paperwork should my landlord provide?

A landlord must provide an Energy Performance Certificate that gives the property an energy rating from A to G. Properties put up for rent are legally required to have a rating of E or above.

Other than that, your landlord has no requirements by law regarding your energy supply. As mentioned, if you are responsible for paying the bill then you have a legal right to choose your provider. If you are thinking about switching but need some help finding a new supplier, then we can help.

Will my gas and electric costs be higher than the previous tenant?

While your energy bill will ultimately depend on your energy consumption, unless your landlord has recently switched suppliers for the property, the rates for your energy should be similar to ones of previous tenants. However, because there has been a significant amount of volatility in the UK energy market as a result of the energy crisis, sudden increases in costs for energy are not uncommon.

Utilities for renting a flat vs renting a house

Fortunately, regarding your rights as a tenant and the processes for establishing utilities like setting up gas and electricity when renting are the same whether the rental property is a flat or a house. The noticeable difference between the two types of rental properties will almost exclusively be the cost of your utilities, as houses tend to be much larger than flats, the energy bill will likely be much higher.

FAQ

Do I have the right to switch suppliers if I am renting a property?

If you are renting a property and are responsible for paying the bills, then you have the legal right to switch suppliers if you should choose to do so. However, if your rental contract stipulates that bills are included in the rent, then your landlord is entitled to choose who supplies the energy.

How do I set up bills when renting in the UK?

It’s easy to do. Establish what kind of meter you have, take a reading and then make sure that the account is no longer active from the previous tenants. If you are happy to stick with an existing provider, simply phone them and tell them you are the new account holder.

What should my landlord provide in terms of paperwork?

Your landlord is legally obliged to provide you with an energy certificate for the property and this must be rated E or above. If they are responsible for paying the bills then they can choose the provider.

What are my rights to heating and energy as a tenant?

As a tenant you have a legal right to heating in every room you rent, as well as a boiler for hot water. Heating should be available at all times and the landlord is responsible for any repairs or replacements not caused directly by tenants.