As a new tenant, there can be a lot to think about, but there’s plenty of help available to enable you to get settled into your new home. In this blog, we’re answering the question, why are accurate meter readings so important when renting?
What are meter readings?
Meter readings can be used for a range of utilities, including gas, electric and water. Not all homes have meters, which means the household may be required to pay a fixed fee for a specified time period.
Meters can be useful as they mean that you will only pay for the utilities that you actually use.
When you move into a new property, it’s really important that you take new meter readings and pass these on to the correct companies.
Why is it so important to send meter readings regularly?
Meter readings ensure that you only pay for what you have used, and not the tenant before you.
Another reason why they are so important is that if you don’t submit them, companies can estimate your bills. They will calculate estimates based on your expected energy usage. This means that you could end up paying more than you need to and makes it tricky to predict your bills. Read our blog on how to split bills in a house share.
It’s common for your household bills to be slightly higher in the colder months, as you are more likely to have the heating on. With this in mind, it’s good to keep a record of how much money you are spending on household bills. Read our blog on how to save energy at home.
Many homes now have smart meters installed. This means that the company receives the readings automatically and you don’t need to do anything. If your home does not have a smart meter, you can contact your provider and ask them to install one. It is still recommended that you note down the meter reading if you are moving in or out of a property.
How to read your meter at home
When you move into a new home, you should check the meter readings straight away. Reading the numbers should be straightforward but the exact process depends on the setup in your new home.
Typically, the numbers are displayed in a line. The general rule is to write down the first 5 numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers after a decimal point. Providing an actual reading is important when you move in, rather than having them use an estimated reading. Ideally, you won’t be charged for any void periods if the property has been empty.
The same process applies to the gas meter. If you cannot find the numbers, or if they are not displayed in this way, you can search for the specific gas meter on the internet to find out how to get an accurate reading. You must send regular meter readings as this will give you accurate energy costs.
Meter reading disputes
Taking accurate meter readings on a regular basis can help to prevent disputes in your home and with utility companies. It’s important that you can access time stamps on any photos taken of the meters.
When you leave a rented property, you should provide the final readings and send them to your letting agent with timestamps. You should also let your energy providers know, as well as other companies. They may send outstanding bills to your new address.
If you believe that there is a problem with any of your utility bills, you should contact the energy company immediately, or other utility supplier. They may need to send out an engineer to check that the meter is working properly.
If for some reason you cannot access your meters, you should let your letting agent know. They will work with you to find a solution. You may also need to get in touch with your gas, water and energy supplier.
At Intus Lettings, we support our tenants with every aspect of their new homes. We’re here to ensure that you can get settled into your new home with ease.
Are you looking for your next home? Contact us today to see what we have available. Our team will carefully listen to your requirements before matching you with the right property.
