If you are renting privately or in homestay accommodation, you will likely need to set up gas, electricity, internet and water. Here is what you need to know.
Your landlord should tell you which energy supplier your property uses. Contact them to set up the account in your name. If you want a cheaper deal, use a price comparison site like uSwitch or MoneySuperMarket. Average bills for a shared house: £40–80 per person per month.
Popular providers: Virgin Media (fast cable), BT, Sky, Plusnet. Speeds of 50–100 Mbps are usually sufficient. Contracts are typically 12–18 months. If your landlord already includes internet in the rent, check the speed before signing.
Water is handled by regional companies (e.g. United Utilities in Manchester, Thames Water in London). In most shared rentals, water is already included in the rent. Check your tenancy agreement.
If all occupants are full-time students, you are exempt from council tax. Apply immediately — see the council tax exemption guide for step-by-step instructions.
You only need one if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. Most students do not need one. Check the TV licence guide for details.
Use a bills-splitting service like Splitwise, Acasa, or Split The Bills to divide costs automatically between housemates. This is highly recommended for shared houses.
Keep all bills in your name as they count as proof of address for future applications (e.g. bank accounts, visa renewals). Take meter readings on the day you move in and move out — photograph them with a timestamp.