Thousands of people struggling to pay sky-high utility bills in Edinburgh and surrounds this winter must wish they could take a payment holiday.

Housebuilder Barratt East Scotland is offering to give homebuyers gas, electricity, water and council tax free of charge until the summer of 2010.

This not only means not having to worry about heating bills this winter or next, it also leaves more money in peoples’ pockets to fund the new home they always wanted.

Anne Ross, Sales Director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “Paying utility bills is one of the biggest variables in most household’s disposable income. So when gas and electricity prices are as high as they are now everyone feels the strain.

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“That’s why we’re offering to pay your bills for 18 months if you buy a new home at one of our selected developments. You could have literally thousands of pounds more to spend for the next year and a half, by which time economists think the worst of the recession will be over.

“So if you do want to buy a new home, now might be a much better time than you think. Remember you’ll be buying at today’s prices, not 2007 prices.

“This is one of the many great packages we have available for people who are buying into the market at just the right time.”

Homes currently available for gas, electric, water and council tax paid include 2 bedroom apartments at Broughton Court and Q priced from just £137,995 and £148,995 respectively. Family homes at Weavers Linn in the Scottish Borders are priced from just £179,995 for a 4 bedroom detached home and from only £149,995 for a 3 bedroom family home at Rosedale Wynd in Bonnyrigg.

(GK)