Utility Terms

1. Introduction

1.1 These are the terms and conditions on which we, Rooms4u Utilities, provide the Utility Management Service to you and arrange the supply of the Utilities Package to you by the Principal Providers.

1.2 By signing up for the Utility Management Service from us, you agree to be legally bound by this contract. These terms and conditions will become legally binding when we accept your order, as explained in Clause 3.2.

1.3 Please read these terms carefully before submitting your order to us and ensure that they contain everything you want and nothing that you do not agree to. These terms outline who we are, how we will provide the Utility Management Service to you, and what to do if there is an issue.

1.4 In these terms:

  • Acceptable Use Policy: Using utilities (gas, electricity, water) only for legitimate domestic purposes and not in an excessive manner.
  • Charges: The monthly payment you owe to us, based on the weekly charge stated in your order.
  • House: The property specified in your order.
  • Order: The order submitted by you for us to provide the Utility Management Service, either directly or through a third party.
  • Principal Provider: The entities providing utilities to the house.
  • Utility or Utilities: Gas, electricity, water, internet, or TV license.
  • Price is fixed, remains the same if property has single supply (ie Electric only)
  • Utility Management Service: The management and administration of your Utilities Package.

2. Information About Us and How to Contact Us

2.1 We are Rooms4u, a company registered in England and Wales. Our office address is 467a Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L15 5AE.

2.2 You can contact us by emailing us at [email protected].

2.3 If we need to contact you, we will do so by phone or email using the contact details you provided in your order.

2.4 “Writing” includes emails in these terms.

3. Our Contract with You

3.1 You can place an order either offline or online via our website. Please carefully review your order before submitting it.

3.2 Our acceptance of your order will occur when we email you confirmation of acceptance. No contract will exist until we send this email.

3.3 If we cannot accept your order, we will notify you in writing, and you will not be charged.

3.4 Your contract with us will expire on the end date stated in your order unless agreed otherwise.

4. Your Rights to Make Changes

4.1 If you wish to make any changes to the Utility Management Service or Utilities Package, please contact our Customer Support team at [email protected]. We will liaise with relevant Principal Providers and let you know if the changes are possible.

4.2 Any additional costs associated with your requested changes will be communicated to you for approval.

5. Our Rights to Make Changes

5.1 We may make changes to the Utility Management Service and/or the Utilities Package:

  • Without notice, to reflect changes in laws or regulations, or to implement technical adjustments, provided these do not disadvantage you.
  • By notifying you in advance if changes will affect your charges or service. If so, you can cancel the contract before the changes take effect.

6. Utility Management Service

6.1 In submitting the Order, you are agreeing to contract with us to provide the Utility Management Service and appoint us as your agent to arrange, conclude, and manage contracts between you and the Principal Providers for the supply of the Utilities Package to the House. This means that you authorize us to sign you up to a contract that is directly between you and each Principal Provider to receive the relevant Utility, and, if applicable, to switch the House over from an existing supplier to a new supplier of the same Utility.

6.2 Where we act as your agent, the contracts for the Utilities are between you and each of the Principal Providers, and you are responsible for paying all costs accrued as a result of your use of the Utilities Package, although we will manage these payments on your behalf as part of the Utility Management Service.

6.3 We will provide our Utility Management Service from the start date of our contract with you and request that the Principal Providers provide the Utilities Package from the start date set out in the Order until the end date set out in the Order. It is your responsibility to ensure that the start date and end date for the Utilities Package stated in the Order are correct.

6.4 We will not be responsible for delays to the provision of, or early expiry of the Utility Management Service and/or Utilities Package as a result of incorrect start date and/or end date information set out in your Order.

6.5 We will inform you of the identity of each Principal Provider and let you know if this changes during the period of the Utility Management Service.

7. Your Rights to Cancel the Contract

7.1 You have the right to cancel this contract between you and us without giving any reason within 14 days of the day we accept your order (the “cooling-off” period). If you cancel during this period, you must return any equipment provided to you, and we will cover the reasonable costs of postage. Such equipment must be in good working order, or we reserve the right to charge you for its replacement.

7.2 If you request us to start the Utility Management Service during the cooling-off period and subsequently cancel the contract, you must pay for any services provided up until the time you notify us of your cancellation.

7.3 To exercise your cooling-off right, you must notify us by contacting [email protected] or by completing the cancellation form found at the end of these terms.

7.4 If you cancel, we will reimburse any payments within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice.

7.5 After the 14-day cooling-off period, you may still contact us to cancel the contract, but fees and other conditions may apply (see Clauses 8 and 9).

8. Your Rights to End the Contract After the Cooling-Off Period

8.1 You may contact us to end this contract at any time after the cooling-off period. However, if you end the contract for reasons other than those listed below, you may be charged a reasonable termination fee to compensate us for costs incurred.

8.2 You can end the contract without a fee if:

  • We make a significant change to the Utility Management Service, Utilities Package, or charges that results in a right to cancel under Clause 5.
  • We inform you of an error in the price or description of the service.
  • We fail to provide the service due to an event outside of our control for a significant period.
  • There is a prolonged period of suspension of your services.

8.3 If you wish to end the contract for reasons not listed above, we may charge you a £40 cancellation fee if you cancel before the start date of the Utilities Package or £80 if you cancel after the start date, plus any outstanding internet charges for the remainder of the term.

9. Price and Payment

9.1 The Charges, including VAT, will be outlined in your Order. Payments are due on the first working day of each month via Direct Debit.

9.2 If you miss a Direct Debit payment, an additional charge of £12 may be applied to your account.

9.3 You and the other named tenants are jointly and severally responsible for paying all Charges due for our services. This means that each of you is individually responsible for the full payment of the Charges.

9.4 If one or more tenants move out of the House, you must notify us in writing, and we may recalculate the Charges. Any new tenants must be promptly added to the Order.

9.5 We may increase Charges if there are additional occupants or unaccounted-for rooms in the House.

10. Our Rights to End the Contract

10.1 We may end this contract immediately upon written notice if:

  • You fail to make any payment when due, and do not make payment within 7 days after a reminder.
  • You do not provide necessary information (such as meter readings) within a reasonable time.
  • You breach the Acceptable Use Policy by using utilities excessively.

10.2 If we terminate the contract under these conditions, we may deduct any outstanding charges from the amounts payable to you, and an £80 cancellation fee may apply.

11. Our Responsibility for Loss or Damage

11.1 If we fail to comply with these terms, we are responsible for any foreseeable loss or damage you suffer as a result. However, we are not responsible for:

  • Losses not caused by our breach.
  • Business or commercial losses.
  • Losses arising from circumstances beyond our control.

11.2 Our total liability to you is limited to the total Charges you have paid to us during the term of the contract.

11.3 We will not be liable for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity, as our services are for personal use only.

12. How We Use Your Personal Information

12.1 We will use your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy. You can find our Privacy Policy on our website.

12.2 Your privacy and personal information are important to us. We will only collect, use, and store your data in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

13. Governing Law

13.1 These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Version: Effective from October 2024.