Costs of student accommodation – What to budget for?

Living off-campus is very different to living in halls. While you may be used to having all of your bills included in your rent, off-campus accommodation usually means sorting your utilities. So, what costs are involved with renting student accommodation? We crunched the numbers for you…

How much is student housing?

Which utility bills do students have to pay?

It may come as an unwelcome surprise but the types of bills students receive aren’t too different from those of any other tenant. In fact, the only typical household bill that you’re free from as a student is Council Tax.

Obviously, every rental property is different. As we’ve already said, some landlords even offer to foot the bill for some things like water, so it’s wise to double-check which utilities you have to pay ahead of moving in.

You should typically make room in your budget for:

Electricity and gas

Don’t be afraid to shop around for the best deal through websites like uSwitch. It may be a rental property, but you can easily switch suppliers. Look out for dual fuel tariffs which will allow you to pay for gas and electricity from the same supplier. Not only more convenient, a dual fuel tariff can actually save you money too. Bear in mind, your electricity and gas bills will be higher over winter when your central heating is on – so, make sure there’s extra room in your budget

Top tip: On move-in day, take a picture of the gas and electricity meter so you’re not liable for any previous bills. It’s also a good idea to pay for your electricity and gas via direct debit, which could reduce the amount you pay and help you to build up your credit score.

Water

Broadband