For couples - what do you do for utility bills/proof of address?

Since I've moved here, there have been many occasions where I've required to show two utility bills for proof of address - not just for visa things, but for things I've done even after receiving citizenship. The latest, for example, was when I recently moved house and arranged to have my mail redirected by the post office - I had to show two utility bills as proof of my old address

I have my name on the electric and water bills, and DH has his name on the phone and gas bills. Those are the only utilities that we use.

DH wants to change our electric supplier to the same supplier that supplies our gas because the rates would be cheaper. I think that's a good idea, but then we would get only one bill for the electricity and gas, so one of us would only have one utility bill in our name.

So those of you who are in couples, how do you sort out the utility bills so that everyone  has bills in their name for  proof of address? 

You should be able to have 2 names on your utility bills, just ask your supplier.

You should be able to have 2 names on your utility bills, just ask your supplier.

Yep.  We were able to get 2 names on the water bill and the electric/gas bill.  The bank wouldn't add me to the account until I could produce a utility bill, which was annoying since they only come quarterly. 

My name is on our water, electricty and gas bills.  DH's name is on our broadband/cable TV bill.  Our council tax bill has both our names on it.

For proof of address, I usually use a recent utility bill plus the most recent council tax bill, which seems to do the trick.  Lots of places are also accepting bank accounts as proof of address too, so we use our individual and joint account for that as well.

(I have to say, though, I'm a little annoyed by some companies only putting my intials on a bill, but that seems to be accepted here so I roll with it.)

You should be able to have 2 names on your utility bills, just ask your supplier.

I'm sure I remember asking about this when getting my immigration stuff together, and being told no.

One thing I definitely remember is that when I asked BT if they would take my husband's name off the phone bill and replace it with mine, they said they would have to close the account, shut off our phone line, and then open a new account and reconnect our phone line. - I remember because it was so ridiculous.

Regarding companies only putting initials on bills, my electric bill just says Mrs. Lastname.

It's probably worth asking again. When we set up our account I was told that we could only open an account with one name, but could add a second name later, which is what I ended up doing.

I don't have any bills in my name yet so we called to ask a few of the utility companies about adding my name and they said it has to be a request in writing. My husband has to write a letter which is OK but he was a bit annoyed about it.

One thing I definitely remember is that when I asked BT if they would take my husband's name off the phone bill and replace it with mine, they said they would have to close the account, shut off our phone line, and then open a new account and reconnect our phone line. - I remember because it was so ridiculous.

Same experience with BT.  We successfully got my name on Thames Water and E-On (gas/electric), but BT was insistent on it's one name only policy.  I didn't take my husband's last name, so that makes it even more fun.  The Thames Water bill isn't really addressed to both of us, though.  I'm an afterthought somewhere down below the address on the bills.  Luckily E-On added me like I was a real, live person!

You should be able to have 2 names on your utility bills, just ask your supplier.

It depends on your supplier and the tarrif you're on.  We have an online account with E.on and in their price policy for the tarrif we're on its stipulated that they will only do the bill in one person's name.  However they do appear to have a straightforward policy for changing the account entirely from one name to another.

Pretty much all of our utility bills are in my name as it was just easier as I'm the one that calls and deals with anyone.  The only things in DH's name are his CCs, his accounts, the Water Bill and TV License.

Have you considered getting your provisional drivers license if you don't already have it or a full drivers license SweetPeach?  That's an accepted form of proof of ID and its irrefutable as it has your photo and address on it.