Bhupinder Sidhu – Commercial Director
Andrew Gray – Housing Administration Manager

Fuel poverty has been traditionally defined as the need to spend over
10% of household income on fuel costs to maintain adequate warmth for health and comfort.

Fuel poverty affects around 1 in 4 UK households.

Living in a cold, damp home and having to choose between heating the home or putting food on the table is detrimental to health.
Responsible for ill health, stress and financial worry, fuel poverty is a serious issue which is affecting more and more households.
According to charity National Energy Action, last winter there were in excess of 25,700 deaths in the UK due to fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty can affect anyone but vulnerable, low income households are at a higher risk.
These include;
• The elderly
• People on benefits
• People with disabilities and long term illnesses
• People with children under the age of 16.

There are three main factors contributing to fuel poverty.
• Rising energy prices
• Non efficient properties with inadequate heating and insulation
• Low incomes.

• Energy efficient properties with adequate insulation and modern boilers are the most cost effective ways to reduce the cost of household energy
• Loft and Cavity wall Insulation, double glazing and draught proofing are simple ways to upgrade a property with instant results
• Switching energy provider can save a household up to £200 on their annual energy bill.

• Industry leaders in energy efficiency assessments
• UK’s largest generators of insulation work
• Developed unique partnership working arrangements
• In excess of 500 surveyors covering the UK
• Contacting 15,000 households every week
• Visiting 10,000 homes per week
• Arranging 8,000 installations per week.
info@nesuk.com
| www.nesuk.com

• Award winning installation company
• Highly skilled and experienced workforce
• Experts on sources of renewable energy
• Formed innovative working partnerships
• Committed to the addition of fuel efficient homes
• Preparing for entry into Green Deal. info@his-energy.com
| www.his-energy.com

• Complete energy solutions for businesses
• Bespoke energy portfolio management
• Dedicated energy consultants
• Wipe historic debts and problems
• Meter installations, upgrades and downgrades
• Standing charge and energy price reductions
• Sub-metering solutions
• Temporary and emergency supply info@billscutter.com
| www.billscutter.com

• Industry specialists and a leading UK Broker
• Inbound campaigns for major organisations
• Outbound sales from company and third party databases
• Real time energy comparison service
• Specialist industry contract processing centres in the UK
• “White labelling” of sites for sales partners.

• Compare gas, electricity and telecom prices for businesses and consumers
• Provide a free, impartial service
• Offer discounted fixed term contracts
• Provide a lifetime monitoring scheme ensuring Billscutter’s customers are always getting the best rates.

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• A ‘Void’ property is one that does not have a current tenancy. The void period is the time, measured in calendar days, between the date of termination of the previous tenancy, or repossession, and the start date of the new tenancy.
Significance -
• Rental revenue is lost for the period that the premised remains empty
• This can cost the housing groups financially and operationally.

Billscutter can help by reducing the turn-around time of the premises.
This can be done by -
• Liaising with the client to obtain a property report
• Dealing with debt collectors and utility suppliers
• Avoiding panic payments
• Closing off issues relating to former tenants
• Obtaining clearance codes for prepayment meter debt and providing coded keys to housing groups.

• Setting up new tenant accounts to ensure a quick and smooth transition
• Helping with meter warrants
• Replacing meters that may have been stolen.

Step 1 –
• Housing Association makes contact with Billscutter – Details of outgoing tenant are provided which includes forwarding address, meter types in property, current suppliers and supply numbers if known.
Step 2 –
• Billscutter confirm the closing meter reads to supplier and housing association for outgoing tenant – This assists supplier and housing association if there is any debt or credit on the meter, so debt can be collected or balancing payment made.

Step 3 –
• Billscutter contact outgoing tenant to confirm forwarding address and try to arrange energy supply at new address for outgoing tenant plus other potential products (insulation).
Step 4 –
• Billscutter update the property details and log as prepared property - This helps smooth the process when a new tenant is moving in and ensures a swift and accurate transfer.

Step 5 –
• The new tenant receives a date for move in from the housing association –
Billscutter upload the details and contact the incoming tenant to discuss their requirements i.e. pre-pay meter may be required if so then card needs ordering.
• The tenant provides a move in date and arranges an energy supply contract for the date. Billscutter provides tenant support helpline during the process.
*If no meter is in place Billscutter arrange new meters to be fitted.

Step 6 –
• The move in date arrives and the tenant contacts Billscutter with meter reads and again confirms their details - Billscutter updates the details, takes the current meter reads and notifies energy supply company and housing association.
• Any discrepancy between outgoing tenants reading and new tenants reading is therefore the responsibility of the housing association.

If the meter is stolen -
• Obtain the police reference number
• Call the supplier quoting the reference number
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A time and date will be provided for the new meter to be fitted
• Email Housing Officer with the details.
(It is the same process for meters that have been wired, but no reference number is needed).

• A tenant can switch by visiting www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk
or by calling 0800 001 4706
Benefits -
• Reduce spend on Gas and Electricity
• Ensure tenants are on the most competitive tariff
• Increase loyalty to Housing Association
• Join Billscutter’s lifetime monitoring scheme.

Billscutter will manage the process end to end.
This will be done by -
• Liaising with the tenant to obtain a recent bill/determine usage
• Whole of market search for the most appropriate deal.
• Process contracts to secure the best deal for the tenant.
• Call tenant back at renewal time to ensure energy spend remains competitive.

Step 1 –
• Housing Officer or Tenant contacts Billscutter – Details of latest bill or household occupancy and usage are confirmed.
Step 2 –
• Billscutter search market for most appropriate deals.

Step 3 –
• Billscutter recommend best deal for Tenant’s circumstances and upon agreement process the contract. Tenant receives all paperwork in the post and upon confirmation the utility services are switched.
Step 4 –
• Billscutter contact customer at renewal time to start process again.

• Business contact Billscutter to review their energy contract
Benefits –
• Reduce spend on Gas and Electricity
• Ensure businesses are on the most competitive tariff
• Join Billscutter’s lifetime monitoring scheme.

Billscutter will manage the process end to end.
This will be done by -
• Liaising with the client to obtain recent bills or calculate average usage
• Whole of market search for the most appropriate deal
• Process contracts to secure the best deal
• Call customer back at renewal time to ensure energy spend remains competitive.

Step 1 –
• Business contacts Billscutter – Details of current supplier, tariff and contract are determined or industry average usage used for new businesses.
Step 2 –
• Billscutter search market for most appropriate deals.

Step 3 –
• Billscutter recommend best deal for client’s circumstances and upon agreement process the contract. Client receives all paperwork in the post and upon confirmation the utility services are switched.
Step 4 –
• Billscutter contact customer at renewal time to start process again.

Bhupinder Sidhu – Commercial Director
Andrew Gray – Housing Administration Manager