Moving into first house - Utilities query

[Hxc]

Hi all

On the 3rd of July I will be moving into my first house; a massive 8 bed semi detached student property. All of the other tennants are spending the summer at home away from uni (despite having to pay rent all summer... it puzzles me too), and as such I will be the only one in the house the majority of the time.

As such it will be left to me to sort out all the bills at least for the 3 months (July, August, September), which I will be paying as I am the only one present in the house. As I understand it the best deals and way that most people pay for utilities is by a fixed direct debit each month based upon estimated usage. For the 9 months we are all there I have no issue with that, but the first three when it is just me, I'd like to pay just for what I use, as I would assume an estimate would be based on there being a full house.

Is this easy enough to setup with all companies? if I explain the situation will they help me out or am I more likely to have to ask for something specific? I appreciate that I will end up paying more due to the lack of discount for a fixed direct debit, but this is the fairest way of doing things.

Cheers

 

[cm1179]

find a supplier, give them a gas and meter reading and set up your monthly dd.

after 3 months, stop the dd, claim any credit or pay any owed and set up a new dd split between you and your other house mates?

if anything it may give you and your housemates a rough indication of how much a person is likely to use.

 

[Hxc]

The monthly DD will be significant if I am running on an estimate for 8 people, though. Whilst I have the cash available to do that if I really have to I'd like to avoid paying out probably like £100 a month for gas/elec (quick compare site estimate) plus whatever water is.

I volenteered to do this as in my opinion it is only fair, I'll be the only one in the house, and thus I should pay the bills.

 

[Hxc]

It'd be better to have everyone splitting the cost, as you will for the whole year... then you chipping in some extra money, or buying a couple of cases of beer, or something...

Why? I am aware this is extra hassle but I'm willing to do it. I understand there will be some cost to me, but if I have to I will do the direct debit method above and request a refund at the end of the 3 months.