Fuel bill DD in new home. How does it work?

[takethegirloutofwales]

We are in the process of buying a new house and will be renting out our flat when we finally move. We are quite high energy users - both work from home - long days on the computer then the kids come home from school, and another two PCs get switched on for homework and gaming etc. we have high energy bills but I understand why and just accept it. However, when our tenants move in, and take over the gas and electric, does the fuel company work out their direct debit based on our previous usage? I know it would adjust to reflect their usage eventually but I feel they’ll have quite a scare if their first bills are as high as ours. So does the fuel company start from scratch or is it based on the historical use at the property?

I think they work it out based on typical usage for that type of house rather than previous usage.

Is running a computer really that expensive?

We moved in September and we’re paying DDs based on the previous owner’s usage but we obviously only pay for what we use and we’re in credit every month but our bills are going upon April so we’ll see how long that lasts. If we wanted to change energy company they would base it on the size on the house, five bedrooms, and there’s only three of us, so the DDs would be even higher.

I would imagine that a supplier, with a new account for your new tenant, would start afresh anyway (and if they didn't you could very reasonably ask them to).
That said, I'm with Octopus and they email to ask for meter readings every month so billing should be quite responsive to fluctuations in use. I'm also completely in control to change my monthly payments if I want to (there is a button on the website); in fact, knowing that prices were going up, I have worked out what my new bill will be on their revised April prices and have already adjusted my direct debit accordingly, before they asked.

I think it can depend on the supplier too. When I moved into my rental it was based on estimated usage for the size of house. Recently moved to my new house and they've based my DD on previous 12 months usage at the house.

If they don't like it they can just pay quarterly bill of what they have used, that's what my son did.

If there’s a smart meter they will bill based on actual usage.

Unless they stay with the same supplier how would they know what you used? It's up to the tenant to sort out, people move house every day, energy companies know what to do

Btw computers aren't going to be the reason you have higher than average bills. Unless you also have the heating on all day it might be worth checking you aren't being overcharged

Our duel fuel is 265 a month - going up to £430 a month on April 1. We have an immersion heater for water but only have it on a couple of hours a day. I got my smart meter fitted two weeks ago and have been way more mindful about things like using the tumble drier, running dishwasher and washing machine half empty etc. and now daily usage is £5-6 a day. I do wonder if our close to conking out fridge freezer is eating energy too.

They will have historical use and the AQ for gas but they will also look at consumption.

I’m surprised you are a high user based on what you say you use. High users typically have hot tubs, swimming pools, tropical fish tanks, humidifiers, air con, and EV etc.

@TheSnowyOwl

They will have historical use and the AQ for gas but they will also look at consumption.

I’m surprised you are a high user based on what you say you use. High users typically have hot tubs, swimming pools, tropical fish tanks, humidifiers, air con, and EV etc.

I’m always shocked how much higher than others we are - we are a 3 bed flat 1200sq ft. Middle floor, detached Edwardian house. I joked with my dh that perhaps our awful downstairs neighbours are feeding off us. This is my smart meter today