If you'll soon be a tenant, it's easy to lose track of utility bills in the excitement of packing and moving.
That's why we've pulled together these first time renter tips to help you get set up with the utility companies, and avoid the hassle of getting angry letters from then later on.
Inside you'll find info on what utility bills there are, how to set up your utilities, and answers to many other questions.
These first time renter tips will remove the confusion and help to get you on moving-in day.
Moving into your first home is exciting, but it can also be a daunting experience. That's because renting involves more than just being able to pay your rent..!
To ensure you hit the ground running, here’s everything you need to know about utility bills and other costs involved with renting.
"Utility bills" is an umbrella term that covers the different types of services and products that make up the running costs of a property.
Utilities typically include gas, electricity, water, a home landline, broadband internet connection, and council tax.
In some areas, utility expenses can include security systems, rubbish collection, and sewer waste.
Every household in the United Kingdom will be liable for, and pay, some combination of these costs.
When renting your first property, one of the first steps is to set up your home utilities, preferably before the moving-in day arrives.
Top tip: Ahead of moving, compare utility bills on a comparison site like ComparetheMarket. This can help you to get a better deal.
Although set-up can be time-consuming, getting your utilities in order, along with setting up payment methods, is mostly a straightforward process. Below we will run through the basics.
The first step is to find out who already supplies the gas and electricity to your new property. This can easily be done by asking the owner (landlord), the letting agency, or previous tenants.
The next step is to find and take a meter reading and submit them to the new supplier ahead of setting up your account. Once set up, your new supplier will provide you with a tariff to maintain your energy supply. You will pay this monthly or quarterly.
Generally, there is one supplier for each area, so finding out who your water supplier is won’t be too difficult.
Just like above, locating and taking a meter reading is key to getting your account set up. You will need to contact your water supplier with your meter readings to set up your tariff.
Again, once set up, a monthly or quarterly payment will maintain your water supply.
When renting a flat for the first time, broadband will probably be quite high on your to-do list! While getting an internet connection to stay connected with the outside world can be sorted within a couple of minutes, you often have to wait a while for installation - so try to plan in advance.
Using a website like comparethemarket or Money Super Market, you can compare broadband and home landline deals in minutes. These comparison sites are great for finding a provider that falls within your allocated living budget.
Council Tax is paid to the local authority (council) for the area where you live. If you’re an adult and not in full-time education, or covered by any exemption of relief, you must pay Council Tax.
To pay Council Tax, you need to get in touch with your local council to register. Once set up, you will receive your Council Tax Bill. For more information on Council Tax, read our helpful guides below.
Depending on the terms of your tenancy agreement, you may be required to pay service charges for services such as trash collection, sewer draining, cleaning, and your properties security systems - among others. It’s worth checking with your landlord or the letting agent whether these expenses are included in your rent or require further payment on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
As a first-time renter, you should bear in mind other fixed monthly costs to factor in when renting as these can affect the monthly rental budget set aside for your property.
You must have a TV Licence if you watch or record programmes on a TV, computer or any other device. This includes downloading or watching BBC programmes on the iPlayer - live, catch-up, and on-demand. A TV Licence costs £159 for homes and businesses and can be purchased here on gov.uk/tv-licence. What’s covered:
You do not need a TV Licence to watch:
It is rare to find contents insurance included in a tenancy agreement. However, insuring the cost of your contents against instances of theft, loss or damage is highly advised. Contents cover can be purchased online. You will need to fill out a form and provide key details about your property including location, security, and the cost of all your contents to have adequate cover in place.
Not to be forgotten, considering your personal expenses alongside utility bills and other costs ensures there is enough money to see you through each month. As a guide, our list contains weekly and monthly expenses:
Since the 1st June 2019, the Tenant Fees Act has prohibited landlords and agents from charging fees to tenants other than those ‘permitted’. The aim of the Act is to reduce the costs that tenants can face at the outset, and throughout, a tenancy.
Below we take a quick look at what the Tenant Fees Act 2019 sets out for tenants. For the full terms and conditions, read the Government guidance here.
The only payments you will be asked to make, in connection with your tenancy, are:
If the payment a landlord or agent is charging is not on this list it is not lawful, and a landlord or agent should not ask you to pay it.
Any fees that are not permitted in the Tenancy Fees Act are prohibited. These include:
If your letting agent or landlord has charged an unlawful payment, you should immediately check the prohibited payments list here, before seeking assistance from a charity like Citizens advice.
At Dolphin Square, we’ve spent years helping first-time renters find their perfect first home here in the capital. Along with our expert advice and support about renting an apartment in London, our current residents enjoy a convenient, contemporary lifestyle with access to a great range of comforts.
Also, some bills are included in your rent, saving you the hassle of dealing with the above!
Dolphin Square offers an established, reputable and high-quality accommodation solution in Pimlico, London. We have taken the time to create an environment that serves all our residents beyond their expectations. If you’d like to know more, contact our Lettings Team or book your viewing today.