Bills

Unless you're living in University accommodation, you might not have every bill included in the cost of your rent. It is important you kno which bills you'll have to cover before you move to help you budget. Ask your landlord if you aren't sure.

You become responsible for the bills on the day your tenancy agreement starts, regardless of the day that you decide to move in. So when you pick up the keys it’s a good idea to ask the landlord or agent which providers currently supply the property and where the meters are.

If you have a specify enquiry that isn't answered on this page, or you're still not sure about something relating to your bills, please contact us

It is important to keep houses heated throughout the Winter, even if you're not going to be there for a few weeks, such as over the Christmas vacation. It might sound wasteful to heat an empty house, but that is an essential part pf maintenance! Heating your home will prevent pipes from freezing and bursting - and if this happens the repair charge may be your responsibility.

Heating your house will also help to prevent the growth of damp and mould, particularly if you are drying your clothes inside the house on a drying rack.

 

The cost of your bills will depend on your usage and what you require, so we cannot provide you with a set figure. Typically, tenants will be expected to cover bills for electricity, gas, water, internet and a TV license, however this can vary, for example not all properties require a gas supply and depending on the type of broadband you choose you may also need a telephone line rental.

It's a good idea to ask the current tanants how much their bills have cost of average each month. This can give you a vague idea of what to expect, although keep in mind that it is unlikely to be exact. It's also important to stay informed about the national picture in relation to rising energy prices.

Bills such as broadband and TV Licenses are usually a fixed price, which makes them easier to budget for. Other bills that are based on consumption will vary depending on the time of the year and your usage. You will have the option to pay monthly or quarterly by direct debit, and this will often be a fixed price so that you don't have to pay out large sums during the winter then nothing over Summer.

In Sheffield, water it is always supplied by Yorkshire Water, however gas and electricity providers vary. If your landlord or agent can't tell you who your supplier is there are ways to find out:

You can find out your electricity supplier easily online here.

You can find out your gas supplier by calling the following number: 0870 608 1524

A prepayment meter uses a card or key which you must top up with credit to use. These can usually be topped up at your local shop. Meters are no longer very common, and can cost you more for your gas and electricity, but they can be helpful if you are working with a stict budget and want to know exactly how much energy you are using.

If you have a meter, don’t forget to top it up before you go away because they will continue to take the standard charge every day. You should have your heating on low when it is cold to ensure the pipes don’t freeze.

Once you have your keys you will need to take meter readings – one from all of the meters your house has, and give them to your providers when opening your account with them. This can normally be done over the phone or online. They will use this reading as the start of your account, and if you don't provide one  they may use the final reading from the previous,  which could cost you more.

Your suppliers may also come and  take their own meter readings on occasion, so make sure you’re honest. If you aren’t sure how to read the meter, many suppliers have a guide on their websites which you may find useful.

Everyone is able to switch their gas and/or electricity provider, and you can save some money by doing so. Before switching, it is a good idea to find out if you are tied into any contracts. Some providers offer good rates for energy but if you leave the tariff early, there can be an early exit fee charge.

If you have decided to change suppliers, you can use a search engine to compare deals. It is a good idea to use an Ofgem Accredited comparison site, you can find a list of these here.
 

If you're organising the bills yourself for your household, try and ensure that all names are on the bill. This means that if it isn’t paid, one person won’t be solely responsible. Not all companies will allow this, so if you’re the named person make sure that there will not be any issues with your housemates paying. If your bills are going to be a fixed rate, you might want to set up a direct debit with your housemates to avoid having to chase them for payment. It can also be a good idea to have different housemates responsible for different bills, so that it doesn't all fall to one individual.

Companies that offer all bills from one provider will charge for their service such as Split the Bills. This could be a flat rate fee or an amount on top of your energy prices. However, you may also find that some bills they provide cost more than if you bought them yourself, which is why it is important to do some price comparisons. You may also be required to pay a deposit. This type of arrangement works well for large groups, or properties where no-one wants to organise everything.

If you pay for your TV license by direct debit, they charge for 12 months in the first 6 months of starting your direct debit. You will need to contact them to cancel the direct debit and to apply for some of your money back if you’re only going to live in the property for 9 months.

If you’re going to have broadband at your new home, chances are you’ll need to wait for it to be installed. This could take anywhere up to around 6 weeks, particularly during busier periods. If you’re going to need internet connection urgently, you may want to consider organising this in advance and setting a date where you know you will be at the property.

Be cautious when researching offers from broadband/internet providers. Somes deals can seem like a great idea at the time, but if you need to cancel it early, you can find yourself with a cancellation fee. Where possible, search for 9 month contracts, or work out the cost including the cancellation fee. You could also ask the landlord if they would be willing to include the internet for an increased rent.

There's no single set way to approach how your household pays their bills, so it's important to have a discussion with everyone and decide what works best for you. 

You could:

• Set up a bank account and all pay in money when you've received your student loans.
• Take responsibility for one bill each and ask your housemates for their share of the money when it arrives.
• Use a company such as Glide or Spit the Bills that offers all of the bills and charges the tenants individually. 
• Ask the landlord if they can include the bills for an increased rent amount. They might not, but it’s worth a try!

A meter is a small box attached to your supply of gas, electricity and possibly your water supply that records how much of each you are using. This means that as long as you provide regular readings to your supplier, your bills will be accurate as to how much you are using.

They aren’t in the same place at every house and they aren’t always together, so you'll need to ask your landlord or letting agent where you can find yours once you've collected your keys.