Bills
Bills
Set up accounts for gas, water and electricity in your name when you first move into a property. If sharing a flat or house with others, register these bills jointly in everyone’s names.
Step 1: Find out who the existing suppliers are
Ask your landlord or agent to confirm the current suppliers for gas, water and electricity. If they do not know, visit Find My Supplier or call the following numbers to find out:
- Gas 0870 608 1524
- Electricity 0845 601 5467
- Water is mostly supplied by Thames Water 08434 597 272. Follow the link to find out your water supplier.
Step 2: Take meter readings
Take meter readings on the day you move in (or check the inventory to see if they are recorded there).
Water is not always metered, so you might instead be charged an amount based on the number of people living at the property.
Step 3: Contact the suppliers to set up new accounts
This can usually be done over the telephone. You will need your bank details ready if you want to pay by direct debit.
Switching suppliers
You might be able to save money by switching your supplier. Check your tenancy agreement to see what, if any, rules there are about this. You might need the landlord or agent’s permission, or you might be required to switch back to the original supplier at the end of your tenancy.
Moving out
You will need to close your accounts and settle any outstanding balance. Provide your ‘end of tenancy’ meter readings to the utility companies. Ask for copies of the final bills to be sent to you by email or to your new address.
Council tax exemption
If you are entitled to any exemption or discount, you need to contact the council and provide the required paperwork.
See the council tax section to find information on who is and who is not liable to pay council tax.
Council tax exemption for students applies only for the official duration of your course. This means that you could be liable for council tax if you either move into a property before your course start date, or if you remain there after your course has ended.
Step 1: Get proof of your student status from your college or university
Update your address details with your College or University, then request a ‘Student Status’ letter or ‘Council Tax Exemption’ certificate.
Step 2: Find out which council area you live in
Visit the UK Government website to find your local council, type in the postcode of your rented flat or house.
Step 3: Send your proof of student status to the council
There might be a particular office or address to which the forms need to be sent. Most Councils will let you submit the information online or via email.
Find out more
Visit Electrical Safety First to find out more about electrical safety. Download a ‘Visual Checks App’ to conduct a quick and easy electrical safety check of your property.
Internet
Most tenants in private rented properties will need to set-up and pay for internet themselves.
Go to Money Saving Expert for details on internet service providers and prices. For broadband, you may need a phone line. So if there’s not one already in your property, you’ll need to get permission from your landlord to get one installed.
Insurance
How much would it cost to replace all your belongings?
If you have insurance, then you could be protected from this expense in the event of a fire, flood or other serious incident
Do I need insurance?
You are not obliged to take out insurance to protect your belongings. If your tenancy agreement states that you must, this might be an unfair term.
Insurance will give you peace of mind and, in the event of an unfortunate incident, can help you get back on with your life soon as possible.
What sort of insurance would I get?
‘Contents’ insurance would cover your belongings. You do not need an insurance policy that insures the building itself, as this is the landlord’s responsibility.
Check to see whether the insurance policy also covers you against accidental damage caused to the landlord’s belongings.
Make sure that you get cover for the full replacement value of ALL your belongings, including things like phones and laptops.
Do I already have insurance?
You might already be covered by a policy linked to your family home. Sometimes insurance is packaged with bank accounts or credit cards, so check to see if this is the case for you.
Where can I get insurance?
Websites that allow you to compare prices between different providers are useful:
TV licence
If you watch or record TV as it is being broadcast live, then you will need a TV licence.
You will also need a TV licence if you watch or download programmes on the BBC iPlayer catch-up service.
A TV Licence costs £169.50 and lasts for one year. Getting caught without one could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.
Do I need a licence for my room?
If you rent an individual room in a shared property, then each bedroom will probably need its own TV licence. This also applies if you are living in a hall of residence.
If you rent a whole property under a joint tenancy, then one TV licence will probably cover the whole flat or house.
See the section about individual and joint tenancies for more information.
You can buy a TV licence online.
If you move out of a property with three or more months left on your TV licence, you can apply online for a refund of the ‘unused’ three months.
Deposit protection
If you have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), your security deposit must be protected with one of three government-approved deposit protection schemes.
Your landlord or agent has 30 days from the date they receive the deposit in order to:
• Protect the deposit and
• Provide the ‘Prescribed Information’ to all tenants and any relevant person who paid or contributed to the deposit on a tenant’s behalf.
Deposit Protection Scheme
You can check to see if your deposit is protected with the details below:
My Deposits
mydeposits.co.uk | 0333 321 9401
DPS
depositprotection.com | 0330 303 0030
TDS
tenancydepositscheme.com | 0300 037 1000
If you are not sure how or where your deposit has been protected, ask the landlord or agent. Quite often, the name of the scheme will be on your contract.
Get in touch with the ULHS for advice if you think that the landlord or agent has not protected your deposit on time or at all.
Prescribed information
The purpose of the Prescribed Information is to let you know:
- How your deposit has been protected and with whom
- How to get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy
- How to resolve disputes over the return of the deposit
The exact requirements of the ‘Prescribed Information’ are quite detailed and it is common for landlords and agents to get it wrong.
The rules regarding deposit protection and the associated sanctions against landlords who fail to comply can be complex. Get in touch with the ULHS for advice if you have any questions or concerns.
What happens if my deposit is not protected, is protected late or I am not given the correct prescribed information?
You have a potential court claim against your landlord for a penalty payment of between one to three times the value of the deposit.
Your landlord might not be able to end your tenancy as no valid ‘section 21 notice’ can be served where the deposit protection requirements have not been met.
Tip
Keep all paperwork, certificates and reference numbers that relate to your deposit. You may be provided with information by both the landlord and the scheme that you will need in order claim back your deposit or raise a dispute.
SECTION: Moving in
SECTION: Safety
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