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<\/p>\nAre you a new home owner or moving out of your family home for the first time? This can be hugely exciting, but equally nerve-wracking. There\u2019s a lot of information to take in about your newfound responsibilities.<\/p>\n
The likelihood is, this will be your first time paying utility bills. It\u2019s a term we\u2019re all familiar with, but may not fully understand. What are utility bills? How do I pay them? Can I make savings on my utility bills? The list goes on.<\/p>\n
Thankfully, acasa is here to tell you absolutely everything you need to know. acasa is a home management platform and bill-splitting app for house sharers and we\u2019ve put together this ultimate guide to UK utility bills.<\/p>\n
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We’ll give you the low-down on:<\/p>\n
With acasa you can manage all your bills in one place – learn more.<\/a><\/p>\n Your utility bills reflect the most basic costs associated with running your home. This includes gas, electricity and water.<\/p>\n These are all things that you simply can\u2019t do without. Nearly everything in your home relies on power, from your lights to your TV, your computer, WiFi connection and any security system you might have in place\u2014such as a burglar alarm. Gas heats your water and living spaces and fuels your oven, ensuring you can cook your food!<\/p>\n We need utility bills to account for how much of these vital services we use, and to let us know how much we owe to our suppliers.<\/p>\n The purpose of any utility bill is to collect payment for the gas, electricity and water you\u2019re using.<\/p>\n Your utility bill breaks down your use of gas, electricity and water over a set period and lets you know how much this costs. It should display how many units you have used and the cost per unit. It will also display the total cost for services used.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Most utilities rates are fixed for a certain period of time so you should know what to roughly expect from your bill.<\/p>\n You should expect to pay for utility bills such as gas and electricity in regular monthly instalments. Any underpayment or overpayment will be settled at the end of your contract with the supplier.<\/p>\n Utility bills is an umbrella term that includes your electricity, gas and water usage and costs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It can also include bills for essential services such as those provided by the council, like sewer services. Optional services such as cable tv or mobile phones are not considered to be utility bills.<\/p>\n Often the words utility, electricity, energy and gas are all used to mean the same things. Utility bill or energy bill commonly covers electricity, gas and sometimes even water. A landline phone is not considered to be a utility bill.<\/p>\n Aside from electricity, gas and water bills, you may have other costs associated with running a household. These could include:<\/p>\n These bills are not considered utility bills. Other general household costs such as grocery bills are also not included.<\/p>\n How you pay your utility bills does impact on your credit score (or \u201ccredit rating\u201d), as utilities companies often share payment history with credit companies.<\/p>\n Well, if you have a solid record of paying your bills on time, you will usually have an easier time securing a loan or contract (for example a mobile phone contract). If you miss a payment it may show you have a higher risk of defaulting on a loan. That means lenders may not loan you money, or you may be charged a higher interest rate.<\/p>\n The last twelve months of credit history is usually the most important. If you have missed payments in the last twelve months, wait until you build up a stronger credit profile. Lenders can be forgiving of past blemishes. This should happen if your current payments are happening on time.<\/p>\n You can help avoid late payments by setting up direct debits with your bank. You could also set a recurring reminder in your calendar. Making regular payments will reassure lenders that you are trustworthy.<\/p>\n It is important to establish your utility connections when you first move into your new home. It doesn\u2019t matter if you are renting or buying \u2013 you must take care of it. The agent or landlord is not responsible for this.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you are moving into an established home the electricity and gas supply will already be in place, ready for connection once you choose your energy provider.<\/p>\n You will need to make sure the bills are being charged to you and not to the previous owner or tenant. The utility company will usually set the tariff to the \u2018standard\u2019 option. This is typically the most expensive rate. Here\u2019s how to take control of your utilities and make sure you are getting the best prices.<\/p>\n Find out which company is providing the utilities. If you are unsure, we’ve written about how to find your gas and electricity supplier<\/a>.<\/p>\n Take a meter reading on the day you move in. Photograph the meter if you can to verify. This will help you avoid paying any charges the old tenants incurred.<\/p>\n Find out which tariff you are on, and if it\u2019s the best deal. Comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket.com and uSwitch will help you compare utility prices based on your usage. Investigate your options and choose the right one for you.<\/p>\n There are two different ways you can be supplied electricity. Which one is being used at your property will influence how you set up paying for it.<\/p>\n Each month or quarter you will receive a bill that outlines how much energy you used and how much you need to pay. Make sure to read the meter, then call the energy provider and switch to the best tariff for you when you move in.<\/p>\n This option is popular with landlords. There is little risk a tenant can leave without paying an outstanding bill. Instead of receiving a bill, you buy credit (usually on a key, card or voucher) and add it to the energy account.<\/p>\n The downside is this option is usually more expensive than a postpaid credit meter. It is important to keep track of your credit so you don\u2019t lose power at a time when you are unable to buy more credit.<\/p>\n Make the switch by contacting the provider and start saving money.<\/p>\n If you are renting your utilities may be included in your rent. Confirm with your landlord if you are unsure. If your utilities are not included in your rent you will need to set up accounts yourself, and follow the guide above under the \u2018How to set up your utilities for the first time\u2019 section.<\/p>\n If you are sharing a house with others or renting a room in a property there are other factors to consider. The utilities may already be established in another tenant\u2019s name. If so, you may need to come to a private arrangement about how you will contribute to the cost of utilities.<\/p>\n You may wish to add your name to the utility account so everyone is liable for the cost. It can be a risk to take on the bill in your name alone. Using a bill splitting and household management app like acasa (previously called Splittable) can help to keep track of when bills are due. It will also track who needs to pay their share.<\/p>\n The process to establish utilities in a brand new home are similar to an established home. Often an energy supplier will make a deal with a property developer to supply the new homes.<\/p>\n It is up to you to investigate and make sure you are on the best tariff for your needs. As you can\u2019t establish your usage history, you will need to estimate your usage.<\/p>\n Take regular meter readings in the first 3-6 months to get a better understanding. As you learn about your usage needs, you will be able to adjust to the most cost effective tariff.<\/p>\n There are no discounts or special tariffs available for students. The best advice is to seek out the most appropriate tariff for your usage. Prepaid meters are often installed in student accommodation. As mentioned above, these can be quite expensive, so seek out the best deal. Also, it may be helpful to look for ways to decrease your energy and water usage.<\/p>\n Before using the information below, check with the authority requesting proof of address. Different agencies have lists that outline their specific requirements.<\/p>\n You can use a utility bill as proof of address if your name is on it, and the bill has been issued within the last 3 months.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s important to know that you cannot use your utility bill as proof of your name. A document such as a passport or birth certificate is required for that purpose.<\/p>\n There are many documents that can serve as proof of address. It is not restricted to utility bills. The bill must have your name on it for it to serve as proof of address. You could use one of these:<\/p>\n The following documents are typically NOT counted as official proof of address:<\/p>\n If you intend to use the utility bill as proof of address, your name will need to be on it. Contributing to the bill does not count as there is no official record of you. Use the list of alternatives above if you are not listed on the utilities bill.<\/p>\n It is extremely difficult to open a bank account without current proof of address. This can be challenging for foreigners who have recently arrived in the UK. They often need a bank account before establishing utilities accounts.<\/p>\n Additionally, immigrants in the UK must provide proof that they are in the UK legally. This is usually in the form of a valid visa and passport.<\/p>\n There are some banks who will agree to open a bank account without proof of address. However, these accounts are geared toward foreign visitors, not UK citizens.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you do not have proof of address you may need to provide extra identification documents. The bank needs to be confident that you are who you say you are. Bring these documents with you:<\/p>\n You may be able to ask your employer to write a statement that confirms your employment and address. You may need to provide the bank with evidence of your previous address. It\u2019s possible to authorise your new bank to confirm your identity with your old bank (outside of the UK).<\/p>\n Each bank will have their own requirements when opening a new account. It is best to go to a branch in person and bring as much documentation with you as possible. Be prepared for a longer wait until your account is opened.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.helloacasa.com\/acasa-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2017\/05\/InPostTestimonialBanner.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat are utility bills and why do you need them?<\/h2>\n
Utility bill meaning<\/h3>\n
Facts about utility bills<\/h3>\n
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What is the difference between utility, electricity, energy and gas bills?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat other household bills do I need to worry about?<\/h3>\n
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How do utility bills impact my credit score?<\/h3>\n
What does this mean?<\/h4>\n
How to set up utilities<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHow to set up utility bills for the first time<\/h3>\n
Standard meter<\/h3>\n
Prepayment meter<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nHow to set up utility bills when renting<\/h3>\n
How to set up utility bills in a new home<\/h3>\n
How to set up student utility bills<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nProof of Address<\/h3>\n
Can I use a utility bill as proof of address?<\/h3>\n
How do I get proof of address without bills?<\/h3>\n
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does my name need to be on one of the bills to get proof of address?<\/h3>\n
Is it possible to open a bank account without proof of address?<\/h3>\n
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