So, what is contents insurance? It’s pretty simple – it protects everything that you own which isn’t a fixed part of the property. An easy way to think about it is to imagine tipping your home on its head. Everything that falls out is considered to be part of your contents, this includes any freestanding fridges, bathroom cabinets, etc. Everything which stays in its place like flooring or the built-in-oven is part of the building. If you’re renting, you don’t need buildings insurance.

Basic contents insurance will cover your stuff against theft, fire and flood – if you buy with Urban Jungle then tenants liability insurance is also included as standard. This covers your landlord’s fixtures and fittings against accidental damage caused by you, it can come in really handy for avoiding deposit deductions. All policies offer optional add-ons, such as cover away from the home or for high value items. A lot of people don’t realise that they can cover their phones, gadgets, and bikes on their contents insurance – so there’s no need to have a separate policy for all your things.

If you’re living in a shared property (in insurance, this means a property of 3+ unrelated tenants), then things can be a little tricky when it comes to getting good cover. It’s generally a little easier if you’re living with one other person, or with family. If there are three or more of you, you’ll probably find that a lot of insurers just won’t cover you, or will charge you an arm and a leg. That being said – all is not lost, there are a few specialists out there, you just need to know where to look (and what to look for). Urban Jungle has a guide to shared contents insurance, if you want to find out more.

The big question on everybody’s lips is how do I find a great deal? Well, this might not be what you want to hear, but the cheapest deal isn’t always the best deal. We agree that paying less is always a plus, but you don’t want to end up under-insured or caught out by some sneaky fineprint. A good place to start is to figure out what cover you really want – it’s all well and good getting a cheap policy, but not if it doesn’t actually cover you for the stuff you really care about. If you know you’ll want out of home cover, or that you’ve got some valuable jewellery, then covering that should be a priority.

Price comparison sites can be a really good starting block if you’re not sure what’s available. Do be aware of dual pricing, though, as you could be seeing different prices on different sites. Something to bear in mind is that they can be more time consuming than going straight to the insurers themselves. If you’re after a quick quote, you can get one from Urban Jungle in just 7 questions.

Hopefully this has cleared up most of your questions about contents insurance, and if you have anything else you’d like to know then head to Urban Jungle and ask the team there! We know that insurance can be really confusing, but Urban Jungle’s here to simplify it, put it into plain English, and take the pain out of insurance once and for all.

The post A beginner’s guide to contents insurance appeared first on acasa Blog.

• How do they work?
• What’s the difference between a smart meter and a conventional one?
• Do I have to have one?
• Will my energy costs go down?

It’s important to be knowledgeable about all things smart meter, so that when your energy provider comes knocking, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to switch.

What are smart meters?

Smart meters are electronic devices that automatically take meter readings for you and send this information directly to your energy provider. This makes your energy bill more accurate when it comes to how much gas and electric you’re actually using. You can see your energy consumption at all times, as well as how much it’s costing you, with an in-home display screen.

They are being rolled out across the country as part of a government scheme to bring down energy use and create a more flexible billing system for utility providers. It’s being led by energy suppliers big and small, with a target of them becoming standard by 2020. However, there is no legal obligation for the customer, so you can always refuse a smart meter when offered one.

What’s the difference?

Smart meters will completely overhaul how consumers are billed for their utility bills. Currently, many people are charged based on their estimated usage, which is calculated using either past use in the house or a standard rate.

This means that many people are paying too much or too little for their utilities. Smart metering will change that by providing exact readings of how much energy is being consumed, creating a simpler and more equitable system.

How could this help me?

If you use less energy than you’re currently paying for, then great news! The introduction of smart meters will save you money, as you will only be billed for what you’re consuming down to the last penny.

In other countries where smart meters have become the norm, like Italy and Sweden, they have also helped people moderate their energy usage and make savings through small adjustments, such as using an energy-efficient lightbulb. Good for the environment and good for your wallet!

Are there any drawbacks?

Like any new technology, smart meters have encountered their fair share of teething problems. Concerns have been raised about data security—as smart meters use mobile networks to transmit information—mobile reception, and cost efficiency.

The smart meter roll-out has also led to some significant increases in energy tariffs as suppliers attempt to raise funds for the scheme, costing consumers around £100 per household on average, regardless of whether they opt to have a new meter installed or not.

The decision of whether or not to switch to a smart meter as the roll-out continues rests with the individual consumer. It’s important to discuss the potential benefits and the potential drawbacks with your supplier, and with the rest of your household.

Use acasa

acasa is a household management platform designed for students and sharers. With acasa, you can avoid unnecessary conflict around splitting utility bills with our direct billing and balance tracking systems. Get a free quote from acasa for your property and enjoy a less stressful approach to managing your shared house.

Get a free quote

The post How Do Smart Electric Meters for Utility Companies Work? appeared first on acasa Blog.

For students, this is particularly important. Amid rising living and transport costs in cities and university towns, the unexpected expenses of joining and participating in societies and the inevitable impulse purchases you’ll live to regret, making your student loan stretch all term long and still having money to enjoy yourself with in your final week should be every student’s end goal.

One of the most reliable ways of doing this is by keeping your energy bills low. You’d think that something as vital as utilities—water, gas and electric—would be affordable, right? Wrong. Energy is one of your biggest expenses.

However, every successful student budget is about making lots of small smart decisions that add up. Let acasa teach you how to prevent energy becoming an unseemly weight on your wallet.

Wrap up warm

If you’re walking around the house in shorts and a t-shirt, or just your nightie, in December, then we’ve got news for you. The luxury of walking around your house in a flimsy outfit is indeed a luxury—meaning that it comes at a price!

We’re not saying that you need to constantly be wrapped up in onesie, a dressing gown, a scarf, hat and gloves! Although believe us, we know that’s not unheard of. But before you turn up the heating, maybe look yourself up and down first. Are you wearing socks or slippers? Do you have a comfy jumper or hoodie you could throw on?

Perhaps you’ll be a bit more tempted when we tell you that by turning your heating down by just 1°C, you can save 10% on your annual bills? Those insulated socks may not have been such an unwise impulse purchase after all.

Learn how your heating works

It may sound silly or patronising, but a lot of students will be living in a house without adults to help them with basic things, like using the washing machine and adjusting the thermostat on a radiator, for the very first time.

It can really pay just to understand how your heating works, and where your costs are coming from. Is your boiler electric or gas? Where’s the meter, and are you submitting regular readings to your energy supplier? Are you leaving the heating on all day while everyone is out without realising? Or all night when you don’t need the house to be as warm?

Do some Googling, read your boiler instructions, and get the household involved in coming up with clever ways to keep your energy use to a functional minimum.

Split bills fairly

Every student house splits the bills in a way that suits them, but it’s important to sit down with your flatmates and figure out exactly what that is. If there is a notable difference in financial backgrounds between you all, it might be reasonable to suggest that everyone pays a percentage relative to what they can afford.

The other bill-splitting conundrum is when one person has decided not to pay up. Most student houses still choose to split the bills by having a nominated person for all bills who is reimbursed by the others, or by each taking charge of a single bill and everyone reimbursing one another. This leaves anyone paying the bill vulnerable to being taken advantage of by their housemates.

Try to find ways of minimising the risk in this area, because your personal share of the energy bill could quite literally double if someone decides not to pay—and this can make for a very awkward household.

Shop around

While it might be everyone’s first port of call to go with one of the Big Six energy companies—British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power, SSE—this would be your first mistake. When it comes to low-cost, reliable utilities, reputation is most definitely not everything.

In fact, this year, every single Big Six company has raised its prices at least once. British Gas’ standard variable tariff has been hiked twice, by a total of 9.4%, Npower’s standard tariff shot up to £1,230/year in June, while SSE added £87/year to the average bill in July while scrapping a £6 per fuel annual discount in July.

Scottish Power’s prices have been raised by £111 following two separate increases this year and although E.on’s tariffs may have only gone up by half this figure, it has also scrapped a £20/year dual-fuel discount and £5/year paperless billing discount.

It’s estimated that by the end of 2018, these suppliers will have lost 2.35 million customers to small and mid-size companies as people realise they can find the same service elsewhere. By going with a smaller supplier, your household could realistically save hundreds on your energy bill.

Use acasa

acasa is designed for anyone sharing a house, from students to young professionals to couples. With acasa, you can avoid unnecessary conflict around splitting utility bills with our direct billing and balance tracking systems.

Get a free quote for your property and enjoy a more stress-free approach to managing your shared house.

Get a free quote

The post How can students save on their energy bills? appeared first on acasa Blog.

All of these areas will need heating, you might assume. Who pays for this? Is this included in your rent or electricity bills? How is that fair?

acasa have put together this guide to different scenarios to help you decipher whether or not your electricity bill is being used to heat the rest of your apartment building.

Does heating in a block of flats use my electricity bill?

If you have your own contract with an energy supplier, you will only be paying for the heating, gas and electricity you personally use. However, more and more blocks of flats are using communal boilers for their energy needs, in which case you will typically be paying a flat rate towards the community heat network.

• Personal contract: Also known as ‘traditional energy supply’, you set up a contract with your preferred supplier and pay monthly, quarterly or yearly for the energy you use.
• Community heating: Energy is distributed around the block of flats from a shared boiler and each user pays a flat rate towards it. It’s usage, including when it can be switched on or off, is controlled by the property manager.

District or Communal Heating

The government is keen to roll out more and more district or community heating as a more energy efficient alternative for heating in urban areas. Apartment buildings will usually use ‘communal heating’, whereas ‘district heating’ refers to larger-scale networks that may stretch across several miles.

Communal heating area a great idea in theory, and some users may actually get more energy for their money depending on what rate they pay. However, it’s currently unregulated despite affected more than 210,000 UK households and counting. This means that users are finding themselves overcharged and under-supplied with nowhere to turn to.

At the moment, communal heating is working out more expensive and unfair for users than traditional energy supply. This is all alongside the fact that many users don’t have the option of switching away from communal heating if they are dissatisfied.

Use acasa

acasa is designed for anyone sharing a house, from students to young professionals to couples. With acasa, you can avoid unnecessary conflict around splitting utility bills with our direct billing and balance tracking systems.

Get a free quote for your property and enjoy a more stress-free approach to managing your shared house.

Get a free quote

The post Does heating in a block of flats use my electricity? appeared first on acasa Blog.

The likelihood is, this will be your first time paying utility bills. It’s a term we’re all familiar with, but may not fully understand. What are utility bills? How do I pay them? Can I make savings on my utility bills? The list goes on.

Thankfully, acasa is here to tell you absolutely everything you need to know. acasa is a home management platform and bill-splitting app for house sharers and we’ve put together this ultimate guide to UK utility bills.

You will learn everything about utility bills

We’ll give you the low-down on:

• What utility bills are.
• What household bills are not utility bills.
• How your utility bills impact your credit score.
• How to set up utility bills in a new or rented house.
• How utility bills can provide proof of address.
• Where to change your address if you move.
• How to reduce your utility bills.

Alternatively, use acasa to manage your bills

With acasa you can manage all your bills in one place – learn more.

What are utility bills and why do you need them?

Your utility bills reflect the most basic costs associated with running your home. This includes gas, electricity and water.

These are all things that you simply can’t do without. Nearly everything in your home relies on power, from your lights to your TV, your computer, WiFi connection and any security system you might have in place—such as a burglar alarm. Gas heats your water and living spaces and fuels your oven, ensuring you can cook your food!

We need utility bills to account for how much of these vital services we use, and to let us know how much we owe to our suppliers.

Utility bill meaning

The purpose of any utility bill is to collect payment for the gas, electricity and water you’re using.

Your utility bill breaks down your use of gas, electricity and water over a set period and lets you know how much this costs. It should display how many units you have used and the cost per unit. It will also display the total cost for services used.

Most utilities rates are fixed for a certain period of time so you should know what to roughly expect from your bill.

You should expect to pay for utility bills such as gas and electricity in regular monthly instalments. Any underpayment or overpayment will be settled at the end of your contract with the supplier.

Facts about utility bills

• Water bills are more likely to be charged on a quarterly basis, so you can expect 4 bills per year.
• Paper utility bills are sent to your address, although many companies are now moving to email based bills.
• Choosing to go paperless with your billing can come with incentives such as £5 – £10 off your bill.
• Each bill will indicate appropriate methods of payment, as accepted by your supplier.

What is the difference between utility, electricity, energy and gas bills?

Utility bills is an umbrella term that includes your electricity, gas and water usage and costs.

It can also include bills for essential services such as those provided by the council, like sewer services. Optional services such as cable tv or mobile phones are not considered to be utility bills.

Often the words utility, electricity, energy and gas are all used to mean the same things. Utility bill or energy bill commonly covers electricity, gas and sometimes even water. A landline phone is not considered to be a utility bill.

What other household bills do I need to worry about?

Aside from electricity, gas and water bills, you may have other costs associated with running a household. These could include:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Internet and mobile phone connections
• TV licence, cable TV contract
• Credit card payments
• Insurance
• Council services

These bills are not considered utility bills. Other general household costs such as grocery bills are also not included.

How do utility bills impact my credit score?

How you pay your utility bills does impact on your credit score (or “credit rating”), as utilities companies often share payment history with credit companies.

What does this mean?

Well, if you have a solid record of paying your bills on time, you will usually have an easier time securing a loan or contract (for example a mobile phone contract). If you miss a payment it may show you have a higher risk of defaulting on a loan. That means lenders may not loan you money, or you may be charged a higher interest rate.

The last twelve months of credit history is usually the most important. If you have missed payments in the last twelve months, wait until you build up a stronger credit profile. Lenders can be forgiving of past blemishes. This should happen if your current payments are happening on time.

You can help avoid late payments by setting up direct debits with your bank. You could also set a recurring reminder in your calendar. Making regular payments will reassure lenders that you are trustworthy.

How to set up utilities

How to set up utility bills for the first time

It is important to establish your utility connections when you first move into your new home. It doesn’t matter if you are renting or buying – you must take care of it. The agent or landlord is not responsible for this.

If you are moving into an established home the electricity and gas supply will already be in place, ready for connection once you choose your energy provider.

You will need to make sure the bills are being charged to you and not to the previous owner or tenant. The utility company will usually set the tariff to the ‘standard’ option. This is typically the most expensive rate. Here’s how to take control of your utilities and make sure you are getting the best prices.

Find out which company is providing the utilities. If you are unsure, we’ve written about how to find your gas and electricity supplier.

Take a meter reading on the day you move in. Photograph the meter if you can to verify. This will help you avoid paying any charges the old tenants incurred.

Find out which tariff you are on, and if it’s the best deal. Comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket.com and uSwitch will help you compare utility prices based on your usage. Investigate your options and choose the right one for you.

There are two different ways you can be supplied electricity. Which one is being used at your property will influence how you set up paying for it.

Standard meter

Each month or quarter you will receive a bill that outlines how much energy you used and how much you need to pay. Make sure to read the meter, then call the energy provider and switch to the best tariff for you when you move in.

Prepayment meter

This option is popular with landlords. There is little risk a tenant can leave without paying an outstanding bill. Instead of receiving a bill, you buy credit (usually on a key, card or voucher) and add it to the energy account.

The downside is this option is usually more expensive than a postpaid credit meter. It is important to keep track of your credit so you don’t lose power at a time when you are unable to buy more credit.

Make the switch by contacting the provider and start saving money.

How to set up utility bills when renting

If you are renting your utilities may be included in your rent. Confirm with your landlord if you are unsure. If your utilities are not included in your rent you will need to set up accounts yourself, and follow the guide above under the ‘How to set up your utilities for the first time’ section.

If you are sharing a house with others or renting a room in a property there are other factors to consider. The utilities may already be established in another tenant’s name. If so, you may need to come to a private arrangement about how you will contribute to the cost of utilities.

You may wish to add your name to the utility account so everyone is liable for the cost. It can be a risk to take on the bill in your name alone. Using a bill splitting and household management app like acasa (previously called Splittable) can help to keep track of when bills are due. It will also track who needs to pay their share.

How to set up utility bills in a new home

The process to establish utilities in a brand new home are similar to an established home. Often an energy supplier will make a deal with a property developer to supply the new homes.

It is up to you to investigate and make sure you are on the best tariff for your needs. As you can’t establish your usage history, you will need to estimate your usage.

Take regular meter readings in the first 3-6 months to get a better understanding. As you learn about your usage needs, you will be able to adjust to the most cost effective tariff.

How to set up student utility bills

There are no discounts or special tariffs available for students. The best advice is to seek out the most appropriate tariff for your usage. Prepaid meters are often installed in student accommodation. As mentioned above, these can be quite expensive, so seek out the best deal. Also, it may be helpful to look for ways to decrease your energy and water usage.

Proof of Address

Before using the information below, check with the authority requesting proof of address. Different agencies have lists that outline their specific requirements.

Can I use a utility bill as proof of address?

You can use a utility bill as proof of address if your name is on it, and the bill has been issued within the last 3 months.

It’s important to know that you cannot use your utility bill as proof of your name. A document such as a passport or birth certificate is required for that purpose.

How do I get proof of address without bills?

There are many documents that can serve as proof of address. It is not restricted to utility bills. The bill must have your name on it for it to serve as proof of address. You could use one of these:

• Council tax bill for current year
• Current UK driving licence
• Bank or building society statement or passbook, issued within last 3 months
• Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued within last 12 months
• Solicitor’s letter confirming house purchase dated within last 3 months
• Land registry confirmation of address
• Council or housing association rent card, or tenancy agreement for the current year
• Original documents provided by benefit agency
• HMRC self assessment letters or tax demand letter for current financial year
• Electoral registry entry
• NHS medical card or letter from a GP confirming your registration at the practice

The following documents are typically NOT counted as official proof of address:

• Mobile phone bills
• Credit card statements
• Provisional driving licenses

does my name need to be on one of the bills to get proof of address?

If you intend to use the utility bill as proof of address, your name will need to be on it. Contributing to the bill does not count as there is no official record of you. Use the list of alternatives above if you are not listed on the utilities bill.

Is it possible to open a bank account without proof of address?

It is extremely difficult to open a bank account without current proof of address. This can be challenging for foreigners who have recently arrived in the UK. They often need a bank account before establishing utilities accounts.

Additionally, immigrants in the UK must provide proof that they are in the UK legally. This is usually in the form of a valid visa and passport.

There are some banks who will agree to open a bank account without proof of address. However, these accounts are geared toward foreign visitors, not UK citizens.

If you do not have proof of address you may need to provide extra identification documents. The bank needs to be confident that you are who you say you are. Bring these documents with you:

• Passport
• EU or EEA national identity card
• Residence permit issued to EU nationals by the Home Office
• National driving license

You may be able to ask your employer to write a statement that confirms your employment and address. You may need to provide the bank with evidence of your previous address. It’s possible to authorise your new bank to confirm your identity with your old bank (outside of the UK).

Each bank will have their own requirements when opening a new account. It is best to go to a branch in person and bring as much documentation with you as possible. Be prepared for a longer wait until your account is opened.

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Average Bills

How much does the average utility bill cost?

On the whole, average utility bill costs in the UK have been rising non-stop. The average tariffs charged by gas and electricity suppliers surged 21% in the five months to October 2018, with the ‘Big Six’ companies—British Gas, Npower, EDF, E.on, Scottish Power and SSE—which supply 75% of the UK’s energy, hiking prices by an average of £81 last year.

To combat the problem, Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, introduced an energy price cap at £1,137 a year for an average dual fuel bill. This increased by £117 to £1,254 a year in April 2019 to reflect wholesale energy prices, and could go higher still.

With both wholesale energy costs and tariffs changing all the time, it’s hard to say exactly what the average utility bill costs at the moment. In 2018, it was around £1,138 a year.

Average gas/electricity bill prices per home size

The cost of your utility bill will vary and depends on different factors. The size of your home and how many rooms you have are both a good indicator of average utility costs. You can also influence the cost by changing your behaviours.

What is the average winter bill?

Winter weather increases demand on your power and gas. The winter months account for around 40% of a household’s annual energy bill. If a bad cold spell sets in, it can add an extra £30 or more to your next bill.

You can contact your provider to negotiate repayments. This is a better alternative to having your services cut off due to unpaid bills. Most gas and energy providers enable you to pay your bill evenly throughout the year. So instead of a large winter bill, you’ll pay the same monthly amount throughout the year at a more manageable level.

How to save money on winter bills

There are two ways to help minimise your winter utility bills. First, make sure you are on the most cost effective tariff. Contact your energy supplier to adjust it if you need to. Consider sourcing your power and gas from the same supplier. There is often a discount for doing so.

You can reduce your usage by adopting energy efficient practices. Here are some ideas:

• Use blankets and warm clothing instead of running heating all day
• Close doors and only heat rooms you are in
• Turn off appliances you aren’t using at the wall. Standby settings use a lot of power.
• Install insulation if you own the home
• Install heavy curtains to reduce heat loss
• Install draught excluders on doors to reduce heat loss
• Turn down the thermostat. Reducing by even 1 degree can make a significant saving.
• Turn off heating if everyone is leaving the house
• Block off ceiling air conditioning vents (heat rises and warm air can escape very easily)
• Turn down the hot water temperature. Even small reductions can make a difference.
• Dry clothes on a rack in front of the radiator, not on the radiator
• Move furniture away from the radiator so it doesn’t block the heat
• Shorten showers by one minute to reduce water heating costs
• Turn down water heater temperature slightly if possible
• Running high heat for short times instead of long spells of low heat
• Buy efficient heaters. Cheap electric heaters drive bills up quickly.
• Use the microwave or stovetop for quick meals instead of the oven
• Take hot water bottles or heat packs to bed
• Sleep together in one bedroom to save heating one more room overnight (This one may be a little drastic depending on your circumstances!)

Smart Meters

What are smart utility meters?

Smart meters are high-tech metering systems that automatically measure your gas and electricity use, then send this information directly to your supplier—saving someone the trouble of coming out to read your meter for you!

Consumers can see a rolling estimate of their usage and costs on the smart meter screen, putting them in charge of reducing both their energy consumption and the cost of their utility bill.

Smart meter roll out

The UK government starting rolling out smart meters across the country in 2016 in an attempt to drive use, make utility bills more efficient and encourage consumers to play an active role in reducing emissions.

By 2020, every household in the UK should’ve been offered a smart meter by their energy supplier, but it is not compulsory to accept. As of September 2018, more than 13.65m smart meters had been installed in homes across the UK.

How does a smart meter save you money?

Smart meters put consumers in control of their utility bills. As they can view a rolling estimate of their usage and costs on the in-home display, households with smart meters installed can be proactive about reducing their gas and electric use, protecting the environment and bringing down their utility bill costs.

About acasa

acasa is a leading home management platform designed to not only make the lives of students and sharers easier, but to save them money as well. Using acasa, house sharers can set up and pay for utilities and rent, track household spending and benefit from direct billing. We partner with the very best providers offering cost-effective and sustainable utilities to get our users the best deals. We also donate 1% of our revenues to charitable causes, and are currently partnering with Crisis UK to eradicate homelessness.

Get your free quote and get your house on acasa today

The post The Ultimate Utility Bill Guide for the UK appeared first on acasa Blog.

1.What is Fat Lama? What cities is it available in?

Fat Lama is the peer-to-peer rental marketplace for ‘stuff’. It’s the platform that lets you rent out your belongings to others nearby. Everyday, we connect people who need things, with others in their neighborhood that have them to lend.

As to where we are available, we’ve been focused on London as our initial launch area but the platform’s now available in all major UK cities!

2.How did Fat Lama get started?

In 2015, the founders of Fat Lama left their corporate jobs to create a co-working space in East London. They spent two months renovating a warehouse conversion on an extremely tight budget. They found it nearly impossible to borrow or rent the goods and tools the project required. By the end they realised how much they would have saved if they’d been able to borrow these items as opposed to buying things they were only using once.

As Chaz (one of the co-founders) explains, “We left the project realising how much faster and cheaper it could all have been, if only there’d been an easy way to hire the things we needed.” They went on to found Fat Lama to make borrowing feasible, advantageous and fun.

3.How could I post something to rent on Fat Lama?

Listing an item to rent on Fat Lama is very simple. Upload a few pictures of your item along with a description, how long you’d like to lend it for and your chosen daily rental rate. Your item will then be on the site and you’ll be notified as soon as someone requests to borrow it!

4. Will my belongings be protected?

All items on the platform are 100% insured! Secondly, all users have to go through a 2-step ID verification process to ensure every user and every item is fully protected.

5. What are the most popular items to rent on Fat Lama?

The range of popular rentals is pretty broad. Generally speaking, things which cost a fair amount and only get used from time to time will rent especially well. It’s also the niche things – precisely the right CDJ or power tool etc. Lots of our users borrow cameras, lenses, drones and bikes – but it can be anything from cordless drills and projectors to great sound systems.

6. What about the craziest item you have ever seen for rent on Fat Lama?

We’ve had a lot of very interesting rentals on the site! Some of my personal favourites are the old school arcade machines. There have been some pretty amusing stories too; we actually recently had a user borrow a drone from Fat Lama purely in order to help find his own drone which he had lost. Seems almost poetic.

7. How can I sign up to rent/borrow an item using Fat Lama?

You can sign up to Fat Lama through Google, Facebook or by creating a Fat Lama account. It takes 2 seconds and you’ll be free to browse! Once you’ve found something you’re interested in renting, just request the item for the dates you need it, then it’s down to you and the lender to you to arrange a convenient handover and return.

The post Fat Lama. The Peer-to-Peer Rental Marketplace for “Stuff” appeared first on acasa Blog.