As my portfolio of properties has grown, it has revealed many different challenges.  One of which is the procurement of competitive energy rates.  Through this challenge some advantages have been brought to the surface.  As a HMO business, landlords who offer bills included option are entitled to business rates and fixed contracts for the properties in question.  Business rates are lower in cost, but more importantly are fully fixed for the agreed time.  Typically, I chose 36 to 60-month contracts.  This has allowed easier management of income and expenditure.

Further challenges I have discovered, that you may also face;

• Finding out which supplier your new property is with.
• Changing the legal ownership with that energy company.
• Organising broken or de-energised meters to be re-instated or re-installed.
• Supplying meter reads and clear bills for tenants.
• Searching the market for the most competitive rate.

For the Last 12 months, I have used James Smith at Utility Team to support and complete the challenges.  I always have the final say but the options presented by James have saved time and money.  He now provides all the solutions for 30 of my properties.  He already works alongside dozens of property investors, so he therefore understands and is experienced in our specific needs and is very experienced in dealing with our challenges.

There is a direct contact number and email for James who gives a level of responsibility not always to be expected from other providers.  Having James at the end of a phone or email has proved to be very helpful as situations have risen.

To see if things can be made easier, cheaper and brought to a new level of professionalism for your portfolio, please contact him directly on 0121 272 7688 or James.smith@utilityteam.co.uk

Example of services

Hello to all property investors,

My name is James Smith and I work for the Utility Team.  I have worked with many property investors for a number of years.  I have worked with Billy for more than twelve months and he has asked me to provide an overview of my services, so others can benefit from them as he has.

In the first consultation, I will ask you for two things: the address of your property/properties and for a letter of authority to be signed.  That letter gives me the ability to act on your behalf for all energy matters.  Ultimately, I become your employee.  With the permission given, I will then be able to pinpoint where your areas for improvement are.  The information retrieved will be;

• Current supplier
• Annual usage
• Essential supply numbers, the MPAN and MPRN
• Your contract status (fixed, out of contract, business, domestic etc)
• Are they Key/credit meters?
• Are the meters turned on and ready to use?
• What rates are they currently on?

Once I have gathered all this information, I produce a clear spreadsheet for you so you can see clearly how your energy arrangements are preforming.

It is important to have working credit meters installed at each property as key meters are considerably more expensive.  Previously derelict properties may have ‘de-energised’ meters.  I will arrange the appointments with suppliers who are willing to correct them free of charge.  Once all the meters are the way they should be, I then conduct a search with every UK supplier to put the supplies with the most cost-effective solution.  Landlords can get business rates which are usually more competitive but more importantly can be fixed for years in advance.  I source the arrangement I think is the best offer and send it over to you on a spreadsheet.  The final decision on everything is always with you.  If you decide to move forward I will then manage the meter onto supply and handle all issues that may arise and ensure transition is complete.

Billy has asked me to outline the savings I have produced for him.  I have found it very difficult to articulate how I have done that.

If we look at the obvious first, reduction of the price of the electricity or gas.  As Billy has agreed 3, and 5-year fixed terms on his properties, only time will tell how much the market will go up while he sits secure with the contracts set in stone.

If we look at the time saved – arranging appointments for broken or key meters to be fitted, when buying a new property and not knowing which supplier they are with, or finding out if the meters work or how much they are charging you – all these points can be a long and frustrating process.  Taking hours, days and even weeks of your time.

In addition, the search of 40+ UK business suppliers and comparing their 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-year options is extremely time consuming.  I have spent many hours behind the scenes for Billy.  So, the savings depend how much you consider an hour’s work is for yourself.

It is important to note that I do not charge you a fee.  We have arrangements with suppliers that they will pay us for arranging and importantly, maintaining contracts.  No supplier will pay us more than another, this is so we can remain impartial when searching for the best rate.  The reason suppliers pay us a fee is that they understand the value that a consultant can offer to both parties.  Time that you spend with me is time not spent with them using their resources – their sales team, billing team, customer service team etc.

I hope I have given a good insight into the value of using our services and the time and money that can be saved.  Thank you for taking the time to read and investigate further your procurement with us.

I’d like to summarise by saying, for no charge I am offering a professional, efficient and even educational service that understands the bespoke needs of the property investor.  If you would like to continue then either contact me through Billy or directly on 0121 272 7688 or james.smith@utilityteam.co.uk.