Moving into your first student house is exciting — but getting to grips with household bills is one of the less glamorous parts of the experience.
The good news? Once you know what to expect and how to set everything up, managing your bills becomes second nature.
This guide covers every bill you're likely to face, what you can expect to pay, and how to keep costs under control.
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What Bills Do Students Need to Pay?
If you're living in private student accommodation, you'll typically be responsible for:
Gas and electricity
Water and sewerage
TV licence (if applicable)
Broadband and/or TV package
Average Monthly Energy Bills in 2026
Energy prices continue to be one of the biggest outgoings for student households. According to Uswitch data for 2026, here's what you can expect to pay on a standard dual-fuel tariff:
1–2 bedroom property: approximately £97.69/month
3–4 bedroom property: approximately £138.65/month
5+ bedroom property: approximately £194.34/month
How to Set Up Your Energy Bills
When you move in, take a meter reading straight away — this protects you from being charged for energy used by previous tenants. You can find out who supplies your energy using the Find My Supplier tool (for gas) or by contacting your regional electricity network. Once you know your suppliers, contact them to register the account in your name.
If your property has a smart meter, readings are sent automatically. With a traditional meter, you'll need to submit readings manually — usually the first five digits before the decimal point on the dial.
How do I take a meter reading?
Some houses have a smart meter, which means it’ll automatically submit your readings to your energy company. This can be an absolute game-changer when it comes to managing your household bills. If you have a smart meter you’ll usually receive a little portable energy monitor that will tell you how much energy you’re using, and how much you’re spending.
But if you need to take a meter reading, which you will when you first move in, then you’ll have to find your meter, whether it’s a smart meter or a traditional meter. Your landlord should’ve told you where to find both your gas and electricity meters, and where the keys are if they’re in locked containers.
If you’re not sure, or your landlord didn’t show you, then you’ll usually find your electricity meter near to your fuse box, and your gas meter will usually be outside in a contained box.
Examples of a traditional gas meter and electricity meter
There are lots of different types of meters so the displays will all read a little bit different. But you’ll usually submit the first 5 numbers, barring any numbers after the decimal place.
Give these numbers to the gas and electric supplier when you ring them to tell them you’ve moved in. So you’ll only be charged from when your tenancy agreement starts.
Water Bills
Unlike energy, you can't switch water suppliers — your provider is determined by where you live. According to Water UK, the national average water bill for 2026–27 is £639 per year (up 5.4% from the previous year), though costs vary significantly by region — from around £162 a year with some providers to over £759 with others.
To set up your water account, you'll need your name, address, move-in date, a meter reading (if applicable), and your bank details for Direct Debit payments.
TV Licence
The TV licence costs £180 per year from April 2026, which works out at approximately £15 per month. You need one if you watch live TV on any device, or if you use BBC iPlayer. You can pay quarterly, monthly, or annually via card, Direct Debit, PayPal, or cheque through the TV Licensing website.
If you move out before your licence expires, you can claim a partial refund for any full months remaining. Worth remembering if you're only renting for the academic year.
Broadband
Broadband is increasingly essential for studying, streaming, and staying connected. Packages vary widely in price and speed, so it's worth comparing deals before committing. Bear in mind that some providers offer student-specific discounts — and if you're on a tight budget, consider splitting a higher-speed package between housemates to bring the cost per person down.
Use our Virgin Media student discount for a free £25 giftcard with broadband packages.
Council Tax Exemption for Students
Full-time students are exempt from council tax, provided your course lasts at least one academic year and requires 21 or more hours of study per week. You'll need to apply for an exemption certificate through your university and provide it to your local council. If you live with any non-students, they may still have to pay — but the bill will be reduced.
8 Tips for Managing Your Household Bills
Staying on top of bills is a key part of budgeting as a student. Here are eight practical strategies to help:
Sort bills as soon as you move in — don't wait until the first bill arrives to figure out who supplies your energy or water.
Always pay on time — missed or late payments can affect your credit score, which matters more once you graduate.
Get all housemates on the accounts — shared responsibility means no one person is left chasing everyone else for money.
Read the contract carefully — check for exit fees, minimum terms, and what happens if someone moves out early.
Set up Direct Debits or standing orders — automatic payments mean you won't accidentally miss a due date.
Request monthly water payments — instead of larger quarterly bills, which can be harder to budget for.
Cancel or transfer contracts when you move out — leaving accounts open after you've gone can create headaches later.
Talk openly with your housemates about usage — agreeing on heating habits and how to split bills fairly reduces arguments and keeps costs predictable.
If you're finding bills harder to manage, you're not alone — check out our advice on managing rising student living costs and make sure you know how much maintenance loan you should be getting to cover your outgoings.
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