Household Costs

Bills

• Clarify what is included in your rent. For instance, some landlords include water rates, others don't
• If possible, ask the previous tenants the rough cost of gas, electricity and water
• Take readings of the relevant meters as soon as you can once the last tenants have left
• Change the bills to your name with the relevant suppliers from the time you move in....decide whether joint names will be put on the bills or if the responsibility will be divided.

Council Tax

• Properties where all the occupants are full-time students will be exempt. You may be asked to produce a certificate giving evidence of your student status; this certificate will be obtainable from your course administrator after you have registered on your course
• If one or more of the occupants of your house is not a student the house becomes taxable so you must clarify whether you are expected to pay anything towards the cost
• If you are unsure about your status with regard to Council Tax then seek advice from your Student Advice Centre.

Insurance

• Don't think of doing without it - the number of burglaries and thefts in student houses is rising!
• Shop around to find the right insurance package for your requirements
• Make sure that you're covered over the vacations.

TV Licence

If you do get a knock on the door you'll no doubt have discussed the fait accompli. 'I'll just say I thought that you'd got one', or 'We don't need one 'cos we're students' or 'We only watch ITV' .The response will, of course, be 'Oh, sorry Sir/Madam I didn't realise. I apologise for disturbing you. I'll let you get back to EastEnders'. I don't think so!

If you want the lowdown on the real facts, they are as follows.

• Students are covered by the same licencing requirements as the rest of the population
• A licence is needed by a student living in halls, a bedsit or a flat
• If you live in a shared house one licence is needed per house as long as you have a joint tenancy agreement. If you have separate agreements with the landlord you will need separate licences
• If you want more information then visit www.tv-l.co.uk.

< Back to Renting a Home