Advice required.......

[Snadger]

I've been trolling the net for advice without any joy so thought who better than you lot to give me it!

I live in free accomodation where I work, having moved here 22 years ago from my own home. I'm now trying to future proof myself by having a bolt hole 'just in case'
I recently got back into the housing market and am buying a house about 20 miles away for when I retire in 10 years time.
It needs a small amount of work and I will probably only be there at weekends to do the work.
What I need to know is what is the cheapest way to pay the gas and electric, which will be used sparsely? Water rates and Council Tax are other considerations I need to make savings on?
It has a massive garden which I will leave as grass.........until I move in!

[smallblueplanet]

Why not rent it out and make it 'pay its way'?

[shirlthegirl43]

For electric, if you have a token meter you don't pay standing charge so although the unit cost is a little higher, you only pay for the power you use.

[Snadger]

Why not rent it out and make it 'pay its way'?

Thats a possibility in the future but I want to get it the way I want it before doing so!
I have french doors to put in, a door to take out, a window to put in, re-vamp the heating and re-vamp the electrics and add a new kitchen. (Thats a good days work at least lol)

Maybe 3 or 4 years down the line I may rent it out!

[Snadger]

For electric, if you have a token meter you don't pay standing charge so although the unit cost is a little higher, you only pay for the power you use.

Thats the kinda thing I was looking at!

[SarzWix]

Are you going to be leaving central heating on 'frost watch' setting? If so, then Direct Debit would be the cheapest for that, and easier too because if a token meter for gas runs out you often have to get the meter reset.

[shirlthegirl43]

No problem Snadger, sorry I can't help on the gas etc.

[SarzWix]

Oh, and for water rates, you can have a water meter put in if you request one? They don't charge for it. So then you won't have to pay for it at all when you aren't there

[Snadger]

Oh, and for water rates, you can have a water meter put in if you request one? They don't charge for it. So then you won't have to pay for it at all when you aren't there

Sounds good!

[shirlthegirl43]

Just watch that the water meter might not be something you would rather not have once you are watering all that 'grass' in the future

[smallblueplanet]

Oh, and for water rates, you can have a water meter put in if you request one? They don't charge for it. So then you won't have to pay for it at all when you aren't there

True, but if there was a leak...

[Snadger]

True, but if there was a leak...

SBP..............forever the optimist!!!!!lol

[Snadger]

Just watch that the water meter might not be something you would rather not have once you are watering all that 'grass' in the future

So, what you are saying is once you have it, you are stuck with it?

[Bagpuss]

Check with the local council website, but I wonder whether the property would be council tax exempt (at least for six months) if it is not occupied.

Water metre is deffo the way to go with the water, paying only what you use it for (it generally works out for those not living with a huge family anyway). Stay away from pay as you go gas, the tariffs are much higher than a "normal" account, same with the electric.

I brought my home and spent six months doing it up before moving in and wasted a couple of months of money before realising the savings I could make with some alterations on the services (and council tax!)

[smallblueplanet]

SBP..............forever the optimist!!!!!lol

I am actually. But I have heard tales of peeps with holiday homes in France with water meters who get a leak...

I'd check that a water meter is cheaper, might not be.