Your rent payment includes all of your utility bills (heating, cooking, electricity, water, and internet). Students living in university accommodation do not pay Council Tax. See rent prices for university-managed accommodation.
For accommodation managed by a private landlord or a letting agent, this may be different and you can typically look to pay between £450 to £750 each month. A shared room in a house will be a cheaper option. Decide on your accommodation budget before you start looking.
Many accommodation providers will give a weekly cost to rent their properties, so ensure you understand how much it will be for the entire tenancy. Ensure to budget for not only rent, but also for gas, electricity, water, and other bills, as well as necessary items for your course, such as textbooks or travel.
Some accommodation has the cost of bills included in the rent, so you won't need to pay for anything additional.
If you are responsible for your own gas, electricity, and water bills in your off-campus accommodation, ensure you put these in your name when you first move in, or if in a shared property, that all tenants are named on bills jointly. You should also take meter readings when you first move in.
You should also update your address details with the University. Request proof of council tax exemption for full-time students, which should be sent to the council to ensure you are not billed for council tax.
Full-time students are exempt from council tax. However, if you are living in a property that is not fully occupied by other full-time students, there may be council tax to pay. Ensure you understand if you have council-tax exemption, and if so, how much.
Published: 18 January 2023