Setting up your bills, taking meter readings and more

Moving into your new home is exciting, but preparation is key to ensuring a smooth transition.

If bills and utilities aren’t included in your rent, you’ll need to set them up before you move in to avoid any gaps in essential services. It’s important to be prepared for this, as bills can be a point of contention among housemates.

Use the government website to check the property has a minimum EPC grade of E. The higher grade the better, and less you're likely to be paying for energy. If you find the property has a grade of F or G, trading standards are available for support.

We ensure that all properties advertised with us on Studentpad meet the minimum EPC requirements.

The cost of energy has risen significantly over the past year, so budget for this.

Know Who Your Suppliers Are

The simplest way of getting this information is by asking your landlord. They should be able to tell you who the energy, gas and water suppliers are and confirm that the previous tenants have/will let them know they are moving and settle their bill. If you’re still unsure, there are services available to assist:

• Gas - Find My Supplier
• Electricity - Energy Networks Association 
• Water - Water UK

You have the right to change your utility provider, unless you are in a property that includes bills.

Decide How You And Your Household Split The Costs

We recommend that each housemate is assigned a utility or bill for setting up (sharing the workload). When bills are due, divide costs equally amongst the household and keep a record of who has paid what.

Consider setting up a Shared Living Agreement which will help you and your housemates decide how to split bills, avoid potential disputes and make the most of living with each other. For further guidance on this and avoiding potential household disputes in general, read our living together guide. 

Internet/Broadband

As well as speed and cost, it’s important to consider the contract length. Contracts are usually 12, 18 or 24 months so be sure to get a duration that is suitable for you and your housemates so that you can avoid cancellation fees (most private accommodation contracts will be 12 months).

Make sure you organise this before you move in, or you could be with out internet for the first few weeks.

Register to vote

Students make up around 25% of the population of Bath - so your voice matters.

Don’t forget to check your eligibility to vote.

Council Tax

We recommend consenting to having your data passed to the Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council Tax office. You'll be able to do this when you register via SAMIS, in a section called "Students' Union/ Local Council".

Once you've done this, we'll send your data to the council to confirm your student status and exempt you from Council Tax.

If you receive a Council Tax demand, don’t ignore it. The council will assume you are liable unless they are informed otherwise. Please take action to confirm your student status with the Council Tax Office.

Keep in mind that all members of the household must be full-time students for Council Tax to be exempt; otherwise, it will need to be paid.

If you’re unsure about your Council Tax status, talk to the Students' Union Advice and Support Centre and review the guidance from B&NES.

Start by creating a checklist of what you’ll need and confirm with your housemates to avoid duplicates. Also, make sure to check with your landlord to find out what appliances and furnishing come with your accommodation.

Some items you may need include:

• If unfurnished: Prioritise essentials like a bed, desk, chair, and storage.
• Kitchenware: Pots, pans, utensils, plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery.
• Small appliances: Like a kettle, toaster, or microwave
• Cleaning supplies: such as a mop, broom, sponges, cleaning sprays, bin bags, and toilet brushes. (If you’re sharing, consider a communal cleaning supplies system to share costs.)
• Bedding and towels: Don’t forget sheets, duvet, pillows, and a mattress protector, as well as towels and a bath or shower mat.

Moving day can be hectic, but good preparation will make it much more manageable.

Set Your Move-In Date:

• Coordinate with your landlord or letting agent to confirm when you can collect the keys.
• Plan separate arrival times with housemates to avoid overcrowding. 

Logistics:

• If you have minimal belongings, public transport or a local taxi service could be a convenient and affordable option.
• For larger moves, consider hiring a van or a service where an individual drives a van and is available to help with loading, transporting, and unloading items.
• If moving furnishings, check door measurements and stair access in advance and don't forget to pack allen keys and a screwdriver.

Enlist help:

• Ask friends or family to help with packing, lifting, or transporting your items.
• If friends or family are helping you move and have a car, check Residents Parking Zone as you may need a visitor permit for them to be able to park near the property

The day you move in, get a meter reading and contact your gas and electricity provider/s to ensure the account is now registered with you. There are various types of meters, but they are usually simple to read. Citizen’s Advice has further guidance on reading your gas and energy meters.

Your supplier will likely require you to give regular readings. If you do not do this your usage will be estimated which means your bill might be too high or too low. Too low may sound attractive, but this will mean that you and your household will be hit with a big bill when closing your account at the end of the tenancy, so it’s highly recommended that you keep up with your readings.

If you are struggling to locate your meter reading, ask your landlord where you can find them.

Take photos of your meter readings regularly, not just when you move in or out, to keep track of your usage and avoid billing disputes.

TOP TIPS:

Explore second-hand options on the University Noticeboard, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree. You can also visit local charity shops or ask previous tenants if they plan to leave anything behind.

Or check out our Community Larder, which is a fantastic initiative designed to support the uni community by providing access to free items, while promoting sustainability and reducing waste. The Community Larder has been a great success so far and can be found next to Fresh on Campus or within the Cafe area in Virgil Building.

Before you settle in, make sure to take photos and record videos of your accommodation. Thoroughly inspect the property and document any existing damage or issues. Send these to your landlord or letting agent email in case there are disputes over your security deposit when you move out.