Rent, Bills & Benefits

As well as rent, you will have to pay for gas, electricity, phone, water, sewerage rates and council tax, unless your rent includes these things. Ask the landlord exactly what the rent includes before you take the tenancy on.

If you are on benefits or a low income, then Housing and Council Tax Benefits may be available to cover these, ask your council for a pre-tenancy determination before you take on the tenancy. This will tell you how much help you are entitled to towards your rent, but not to pay bills (or the contribution in your rent towards them). You will have to pay these yourself. See housing benefit & council tax benefit for more information.

If you are responsible for paying any bills, try and make regular payments to even out the cost. Details of payment plans are usually on the back of the bill. If you have a problem paying a bill, contact them. If you do get cut off, reconnecting can be expensive, and so can court costs. Get money advice as soon as there is any problem - see agencies listed.

If you have a meter for gas or electricity, take a reading immediately and let the supplier know, or you may end up paying the last tenant's bill. Don't use any payment card left by the last person; you'll be paying into their account. When you move, give the company the last reading and an address to send the bill to, otherwise if you are moving somewhere else in the area they may not reconnect you.

If you use the PayPoint scheme, you can credit your card at various local shops, garages, Post Offices etc. to pay in advance.

Phones can be expensive to install or reconnect, and the phone bill can add up to a small fortune over three months. If you can't afford to run one, consider 'incoming calls only' or a pre-pay mobile phone.

If you are living on your own you will usually need a TV licence. If you are in shared accommodation you may need your own, or you may be entitled to share one with the whole house. The rules are complicated - ask the TV Licensing authority or see their website for details. A one year licence is £121 for colour (or £40.50 for black and white). Budget by buying TV licence stamps from the Post Office or pay by installments with Direct Debit.