Utility bills for private tenants
Utility bills are bills for services like gas, electricity and water.
They are paid in different ways.
You might:
get a bill from your energy or water supplier
pay utility bills as part of your rent
pay towards utility bills on top of your rent
Check your tenancy agreement to see if it mentions utility bills.
Some tenants have a prepayment meter for gas and electricity instead of a monthly bill.
When you pay the utility bills yourself
You usually have to pay the bills yourself if either:
a bill has your name on it
you are responsible for paying utility bills, not your landlord
If your name is not on the bills
If you use utilities, you might have to pay even if your name is not on the bills. For example, if the bills are addressed to 'the occupier.'
Check if you're responsible for a utility bill on the Citizens Advice website.
If your rent includes utility bills
Your landlord must give you a tenancy agreement or written information. It should say which bills are included in your rent.
Sometimes, all bills are included in your rent and your rent stays the same no matter how much you use.
If you have to make separate payments to your landlord for bills, your agreement or written information should tell you:
when you have to make the payments
how much you have to pay
If there are limits on how much you can use
Some tenancy agreements limit how much energy and water is included in your rent.
If you use more, your landlord could ask you for more money. This is called a fair usage clause.
If you get a new tenancy agreement, check if anything has changed. A new agreement might not include bills.
Rent increases to cover utility bills
Your landlord might try to increase your rent so that you pay more for bills.
Find out more about dealing with rent increases.
If you pay extra on top of rent for energy or water
Your landlord must not charge you more than the energy or water company charges them.
They should not make a profit from charging you.
Your landlord should use your meter if it measures your individual energy or water use.
If there is one meter for several tenants, your landlord must be able to explain how they work out everyone’s bill.
You could use our letter templates if you think you're being overcharged.
Who pays utility bills in a shared house?
Your landlord is responsible for the bills if they are included in your rent.
You do not have to pay your supplier directly.
If bills are not included in your rent
Check your tenancy agreement.
If tenants are responsible for paying, try to get everyone's name on the bills.
If a housemate does not pay their share, you might have to pay the whole amount if you are the only one named on the bill.
If someone puts your name on a bill without your permission you might not have to pay it.
Contact the Citizen Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 to find out if you have to pay.
Prepayment meters
You can usually choose the meter type if you pay the bill.
Citizens Advice has information to help you:
You do not need your landlord's permission to switch your meter type.
But you may have to pay to change the meter back when you leave.
Tell your suppliers in advance if you move home
Tell your utility companies in advance that you're moving.
Take meter readings and photos of the readings on the days you move in and out.
Send them to your energy and water suppliers, and your landlord.
Citizens Advice has more on dealing with your energy supply when moving home.
Switching energy supplier
You do not need your landlord's permission to switch supplier if you pay the bills yourself.
Citizens Advice explains more about switching energy suppliers.
Ofgem explains what happens if your supplier shuts down.
Help with paying utility bills
Find out about:
Citizens Advice explain how to get help if you're struggling to pay your bills.
The Breathing Space scheme can pause debt recovery while you get free debt advice.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
