As a student, you know that finding a place to live can be a daunting task. From deciding on the right location to figuring out the student house bills, fees and deposits, it can be hard to know what to do first.
In this article, we'll take you through everything you need to know about student housing bills - from the different types of bills to which ones you need to pay. We'll also provide tips on how to save money on your bills and make your life easier when finding the perfect student house to live in.
Rent
As a student, you have a lot to keep track of - classes, work, socialising, and more. One thing you don't want to forget is paying your rent.
When renting a place, you'll generally pay either monthly, quarterly (in line with student finance loans) or annually. You might also be able to get a discount if you're paying monthly instead of yearly. Some places include everything in the rent - electricity, gas, internet, WiFi, phone, cable TV, parking, heating, hot water, furniture, appliances, cleaning etc. Others just charge you for what they think you'll actually use.
To make sure you stay on top of your rent payments, it's a good idea to set up a reminder in your calendar or budgeting app. That way, you can budget for rent and other expenses each month, and you won't have to worry about any late fees.
Deposit
When you're ready to sign a lease for your student housing, you'll be asked to pay a deposit. This deposit can be as much as 4 to 6 weeks rent, though the value completely depends on your student housing provider's terms.
A legitimate housing provider will transfer your deposit into a deposit protection scheme, where it is held safely throughout the academic year. It will then be returned to you at the end of your contract providing you did not violate any terms of the housing provider during your tenancy.
The deposit will need to be paid upfront to secure the house, so be sure to check what the amount is and that you can afford to pay the deposit before signing.
Council Tax
As a full-time student, you will be exempt from paying any council tax. So you won't have to worry about paying this until you've graduated. Though you aren't required to pay for council tax, you may need to provide a Council Tax Certificate which should be accessible to download from your University's resources or portal.
Gas and Electricity
As a student, one of the things you need to budget for is paying your gas and electricity bills. And this can be a big expense.
There are a few things you can do to keep your costs down. First, make sure you're only using the energy you need. Turn off lights and appliances when you're not using them. Second, take advantage of energy-saving programs offered by your utility company. These can help you save money on your bills. Finally, remember to pay your bills on time. If you're late, you may be charged a late fee, which can add to your costs.
For peace of mind, you can also look for a student housing provider that includes gas and electricity within the price. By following these tips, you can save money on your gas and electricity bills and keep your student housing costs under control.
Water and Sewerage
Paying water and sewerage bills in student housing can be a bit of a hassle. You will first want to check your student housing contract to see if water and sewerage are included in your rent. If they are, you don't need to worry about paying them separately and can check this bill off your list!
If water and sewerage are not included in your rent, find out how much they will cost you per month. This information is usually available from your student housing provider or the local utility company. Make sure you budget for these costs, so you don't get any surprises in the near future. It will also be worth setting up a direct debit from your bank account to pay these bills automatically. This way, you'll never miss a payment, and you'll always have the money available when the bill comes due.
TV License
If you're living in student housing, you may be wondering if you need to pay for a TV license. The answer is, it depends.
If you live in student housing, you may be required to pay for a TV license as part of your rent. If you're not sure whether you need to pay for a TV license, ask your landlord or check your lease agreement. And remember, even if you don't have a TV, you may still be required to pay for a license if you're watching live TV on your laptop, phone, or tablet. So, be sure to factor in the cost of a TV license when you're considering your housing options.
Internet
As a student, a fast internet service will be essential for both studying and entertainment in your house. But how do you go about accessing it and managing payment?
There are a few things you can do to try and save on the cost of your internet service. One option is to find student housing that includes internet within the rent. This is the simplest hassle-free option, so it is definitely worth checking out.
Another option is to get a group together and split the cost of a bulk internet package. This can often be cheaper than each student paying for their own individual service.
If you are stuck with paying for your own internet, there are a few things you can do to try and get the best deal possible. First, shop around for different providers and compare their rates. Secondly, see if you can get a discount for bundling your internet service with other utilities.
Don't Forget
It may seem obvious, but when budgeting for the rent and bills of your new student house, don't forget that there will be several other living costs that will need to be considered during your tenancy. These costs include; food and drink, parking, transportation, phone contracts, nights out, and course material and resources. To help plan and stay on top of your expenses, you can use a student budget planner that already has all of the associated costs considered - so all that's left to do is fill out the numbers!
Factor these costs along with your rent and bills into your finances, so that you can have complete peace of mind when choosing your student house - knowing that you are covered and won't have any unwelcome surprises. And finally, remember to make the most of student discounts and offers. We've put together a list of the top student discount, voucher and cashback sites so you've got everything you need in one place.
UniQ Lets All-Inclusive Student House Prices
To make life easier, at UniQ Lets, our student house bills are all included within the listed rent price. These prices include; gas, electricity, water, TV license, broadband, garden maintenance, communal area cleaning, and security alarm monitoring and response.
So if you are a Loughborough University student looking for your next home, UniQ Lets has you covered. Check out our range of luxury student houses in Loughborough, designed to excel in comfort, quality, functionality and security to give you the best living experience during your studies.
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