Advice & Student Rates On Your Bills
Written by Kara Rhian Pugh (Swansea Student) & Bianca London (Cardiff Student)
1. BILLS: Before you move in!
Bills, bills, bills, a word any normal person wishes to exclude from their vocabulary. However, as a student it's time to face up to the dreaded B word and take control. From broadband and gas bills to TV licenses and council tax modern life can seem daunting and extortionate, but as a student you're actually in a better position than most. With many companies offering great student rates and discounts you can have your cake and eat it too. Here, we offer you everything you need to know with all the best deals and comparison sites to ensure you get the best deal in town.
When choosing a student house it is important to consider what exactly the contract includes. In some cases, your monthly rent will cover the cost of bills but this is more likely when dealing with private landlords. Before signing any contract you should confirm which bills are not included, usually gas, water, electricity, internet and television, which you and your fellow tenants are responsible for paying. On this website, Total Students provide you with an overview of which properties include bills and which do not.
As soon as you arrive at your property it is vital that you check the meter readings for gas, electricity and water. If necessary, take photographic evidence, this prevents you from paying the previous tenants usage. It also ensures that you start paying only from when you entered the house and not before.
2. Registering with your current suppliers
On arrival at your new property you need to establish who exactly your current suppliers are. Usually letters will be issued to your address providing information on who to contact. If not, your previous tenants or landlord may tell you who your current gas and electricity suppliers are and a telephone and broadband connection may still be active.
Water: Firstly, you will need to contact your local water company e.g. Welsh Water on 0800 917 2652 and set up a house account in order to pay your water bills. You will be offered a variety of payment methods depending on your preference and usage.
Gas: If you have not received letters from your gas company with contact details enclosed then call the Transco Meter helpline on 08706 081524 to identify your gas supplier.
Electricity: As with your gas, if you have received no letters call the Meter Point Admin Service on 0845 6015972 for more information. Once you have established this you can view your electricity meter reading online at http://www.onlinemeterreading.co.uk/
3. Paying the bills
Each tenant living in a student property is liable to pay bills. In some cases these are included in your rent but it is vital that you check this out with your landlord before signing. Glide UK are the answer to every students problems. Joining Glide insurance means you only pay your share of the bills and the money gets debited directly from each tenants account. This is the perfect solution for those of you who dread having to chase your housemates for money! Not only that but Glide offer the best energy prices thanks to their fixed rates meaning rising energy prices will leave you unaffected. Glide also offer 24-hour online access to your account, a single fixed price payment per tenant and one simple utility bill each quarter. By joining Glide, students have the freedom of choice and know well in advance the price of their own individual monthly payment giving maximum control over your own personal expenditure. Click here to sign up
4. Broadband Packages
Torn between which broadband package to opt for? Firstly, you need to consider whether you need solely broadband internet or a broadband package which includes internet, television and a home phone. The two most popular broadband providers among students are Virgin Media and Sky. To work out the best deal for you it’s worth visiting a price comparison site like this: http://broadband.consumerchoices.co.uk/. Plus, Virgin, Sky and other entertainment suppliers will have sign up deals during the Fresher’s period. If you feel like sorting it out directly visit www.virginmedia.com or www.sky.com
5. Council Tax
One of the best things about being a student is that you do not have to pay council tax! You will receive a council tax exemption letter or certificate from your University which you can usually find online. Remember, if you share with tenants who are not students they are liable to pay council tax.
6. TV Licensing
One issue that usually causes a lot of confusion is the TV license - do you need to have one? Yes, you do. Students are covered by the same licensing requirements as everyone else. You'll need one if you have a TV in your room or on your laptop. If you live in a shared house then one license is needed per house if you have a joint tenancy agreement. The price for a TV license throughout the academic year is £145.50 for a colour TV. If there are six of you in the house then this can work out at just £24.50 each. Check out http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ so you don't get caught out as fines can be hefty; as high as £1,000.
Written by Kara Rhian Pugh (Swansea Student) & Bianca London (Cardiff Student)
1. BILLS: Before you move in!
Bills, bills, bills, a word any normal person wishes to exclude from their vocabulary. However, as a student it's time to face up to the dreaded B word and take control. From broadband and gas bills to TV licenses and council tax modern life can seem daunting and extortionate, but as a student you're actually in a better position than most. With many companies offering great student rates and discounts you can have your cake and eat it too. Here, we offer you everything you need to know with all the best deals and comparison sites to ensure you get the best deal in town.
When choosing a student house it is important to consider what exactly the contract includes. In some cases, your monthly rent will cover the cost of bills but this is more likely when dealing with private landlords. Before signing any contract you should confirm which bills are not included, usually gas, water, electricity, internet and television, which you and your fellow tenants are responsible for paying. On this website, Total Students provide you with an overview of which properties include bills and which do not.
As soon as you arrive at your property it is vital that you check the meter readings for gas, electricity and water. If necessary, take photographic evidence, this prevents you from paying the previous tenants usage. It also ensures that you start paying only from when you entered the house and not before.
2. Registering with your current suppliers
On arrival at your new property you need to establish who exactly your current suppliers are. Usually letters will be issued to your address providing information on who to contact. If not, your previous tenants or landlord may tell you who your current gas and electricity suppliers are and a telephone and broadband connection may still be active.
Water: Firstly, you will need to contact your local water company e.g. Welsh Water on 0800 917 2652 and set up a house account in order to pay your water bills. You will be offered a variety of payment methods depending on your preference and usage.
Gas: If you have not received letters from your gas company with contact details enclosed then call the Transco Meter helpline on 08706 081524 to identify your gas supplier.
Electricity: As with your gas, if you have received no letters call the Meter Point Admin Service on 0845 6015972 for more information. Once you have established this you can view your electricity meter reading online at http://www.onlinemeterreading.co.uk/
3. Paying the bills
Each tenant living in a student property is liable to pay bills. In some cases these are included in your rent but it is vital that you check this out with your landlord before signing. Glide UK are the answer to every students problems. Joining Glide insurance means you only pay your share of the bills and the money gets debited directly from each tenants account. This is the perfect solution for those of you who dread having to chase your housemates for money! Not only that but Glide offer the best energy prices thanks to their fixed rates meaning rising energy prices will leave you unaffected. Glide also offer 24-hour online access to your account, a single fixed price payment per tenant and one simple utility bill each quarter. By joining Glide, students have the freedom of choice and know well in advance the price of their own individual monthly payment giving maximum control over your own personal expenditure. Click here to sign up
4. Broadband Packages
Torn between which broadband package to opt for? Firstly, you need to consider whether you need solely broadband internet or a broadband package which includes internet, television and a home phone. The two most popular broadband providers among students are Virgin Media and Sky. To work out the best deal for you it’s worth visiting a price comparison site like this: http://broadband.consumerchoices.co.uk/. Plus, Virgin, Sky and other entertainment suppliers will have sign up deals during the Fresher’s period. If you feel like sorting it out directly visit www.virginmedia.com or www.sky.com
5. Council Tax
One of the best things about being a student is that you do not have to pay council tax! You will receive a council tax exemption letter or certificate from your University which you can usually find online. Remember, if you share with tenants who are not students they are liable to pay council tax.
6. TV Licensing
One issue that usually causes a lot of confusion is the TV license - do you need to have one? Yes, you do. Students are covered by the same licensing requirements as everyone else. You'll need one if you have a TV in your room or on your laptop. If you live in a shared house then one license is needed per house if you have a joint tenancy agreement. The price for a TV license throughout the academic year is £145.50 for a colour TV. If there are six of you in the house then this can work out at just £24.50 each. Check out http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/ so you don't get caught out as fines can be hefty; as high as £1,000.
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