Paying bills in a student tenancy
Before you start your tenancy, check if you or your landlord pays the bills.
Check:
your tenancy agreement
the property ad
letters and emails from your landlord or letting agent
If they say nothing about bills, you have to pay them yourself.
If you rent with other people, you usually share the bills.
If your tenancy agreement says the rent is 'bills included', your landlord pays the bills. Your agreement must say which bills.
You usually pay either:
a single monthly rent payment that includes the bills
one monthly payment for your rent and a separate payment for bills
If you pay the bills
This is usually cheaper, because you can choose the best deals. But you need to set up payments yourself.
You usually need to pay for:
electricity and gas
water
internet
a TV licence
Check if you need one on the TV licensing website.
If you rent with other people, you might agree that different people pay different bills.
Everyone named on a bill is responsible for that bill. Check everyone knows what they have to pay and when.
Checking and changing energy suppliers
Your tenancy agreement might say who your current energy supplier is.
You can also ask your landlord or letting agent.
Citizens Advice explains how to:
Taking gas and electricity meter readings
Take readings from your gas and electricity meters as soon as you move in and on the day you move out.
Send them to your energy company so you're only charged for the energy you use, not the previous tenants' use.
You can usually submit meter readings to your energy company online.
Using direct debits
You can usually pay bills by direct debit. This means money goes direct from your account to the company each time you need to pay.
You can set up a direct debit online, on the phone or using a form. It depends on the company. You need to give them your name, address and bank details.
If your landlord pays the bills
This can be easier because you do not have to register with companies yourself. It might cost more because you cannot choose the best deals.
Check your tenancy agreement. It must say which bills are included.
The bills covered are usually:
electricity and gas
water
internet
Your landlord cannot charge more for electricity and gas than they pay the supplier.
Your landlord might also pay for a TV licence.
If your tenancy agreement does not say which bills are included, ask your landlord or letting agent.
Limits on energy and water
Some tenancy agreements limit how much energy and water is included in your rent.
This is called a fair usage clause.
You might have to take meter readings and send them to your landlord or letting agent.
If you use more than your limit, your landlord could ask you for more money.
Council tax
You do not normally have to pay council tax in a student house share.
You might have to pay council tax if you live with people who are not students.
Ask the council tax team at your local council if you get a bill for council tax.
Find your local council on GOV.UK.
Last updated: 28 September 2026
