So, you’ve finally made it to university and moved into your first student house. Congratulations! But along with all the excitement of living independently comes the responsibility of paying bills. Yep, those pesky little things that seem to drain your bank account every month. But fear not, because in this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about student bills and how to manage them like a pro.
Let’s start with the basics. When it comes to living in a student house, there are a few main bills that you’ll need to consider: rent, utilities, internet, and potentially contents insurance. Rent is pretty self-explanatory – it’s the amount of money you pay each month to live in the house. Utilities typically include gas, electricity, and water, and the internet bill is for, you guessed it, your Wi-Fi connection. Contents insurance is optional, but it’s definitely something to think about if you have valuable items in the house that you want to protect.
So, how much can you expect these bills to cost? Well, it really depends on a few factors such as the size of your house, the number of housemates, and your location. On average, most students can expect to pay between £50-£100 per month for utilities, £20-£30 for internet, and anywhere from £5-£20 for contents insurance. Of course, rent is the big one, and that can vary greatly depending on where you’re living. A general rule of thumb is that the closer you are to campus or the city center, the higher the rent is likely to be.
Now that you have an idea of what bills to expect, it’s time to figure out how to split them with your housemates. This can be a tricky area to navigate, but don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to make it a breeze. Firstly, sit down as a house and have an open discussion about the bills. Who will be responsible for setting up the accounts? How will you split the costs? Will everyone contribute the same amount, or will it be based on usage? These are all important questions to address to avoid any misunderstandings down the line.
Once you’ve established a plan for managing the bills, it’s essential to stay organized. Create a shared spreadsheet or use a bill-splitting app to keep track of who owes what and when the payments are due. This level of transparency will help to avoid any arguments and ensure that everyone is pulling their weight.
Now, let’s talk about saving money on bills. As students, every penny counts, so it’s worth looking into ways to lower your monthly expenses. Firstly, try to be mindful of your energy usage. Turn off lights when you’re not in a room, unplug chargers, and consider investing in energy-saving lightbulbs. These small habits can add up to significant savings over time. Additionally, shopping around for the best deals on internet and contents insurance can help you to keep costs down.
Finally, it’s important to be aware of your rights as a tenant when it comes to bills. Landlords are legally required to provide you with a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property, as well as details of any service contracts in place. If you have any concerns about the bills or feel that you’re being overcharged, don’t hesitate to raise these issues with your landlord or letting agency.
In conclusion, managing student bills can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, it’s entirely manageable. By staying organized, communicating openly with your housemates, and being mindful of your energy usage, you can keep your expenses in check and focus on enjoying your time at university. And who knows, maybe you’ll even become the go-to expert on bills in your student house!