Last updated: January 2026
Moving into a privately rented student house for the first time is fab – you get to live with your mates, have more space than in dorms, and might even get a garden!
The downside? You’re in charge of the utility bills now.
Moving into a new student house means there’s a lot to think about – moving all your stuff, cramming it into a moving van or your parents’ car, and then unpacking all your stuff once you get there.
When moving house, utility bills can feel like just one more thing to stress about…
We’ve put together this guide to walk you through exactly how to take over the utilities without the hassle.
If you’re a planner, you might want to get everything sorted early. While you can’t fully set up your utilities until you have meter readings on move-in day (more on that later on), there’s plenty you can do to stay ahead of the game.
Agree on this with your housemates ASAP to avoid awkward arguments later. You could use a bill-splitting service, set up direct debits, or open a joint account with your housemates. Of course, all these options have pros and cons, but using a specialist bill-splitting service (like Split the Bills) is the most hassle-free route.
Discover how to split student bills for a thorough rundown.
Most student pads don’t come with broadband, so this is something that you’ll need to set up yourself. Once you’ve set up your broadband package, it can take a couple of weeks to install it. So, if you want internet access immediately, it’s best to set up your broadband a few weeks before your move-in date.
You need a decent connection speed so everyone can stream or game at the same time without the lag. Always go for unlimited data.
Once you’ve chosen your broadband package, your provider should send your router in the post. All you need to do is plug it in and follow the instructions to set it up.
For a detailed breakdown, have a look at our guide on setting up your broadband.
Before moving in, you and your housemates should decide if you need to invest in a TV Licence. You’ll only need one if you (or your housemates) plan to watch live TV or any BBC programmes (including iPlayer).
Knowing what utilities you’ll need to set up before you move in is a good idea. Not all properties use gas, so it’s worth finding out if yours does. If your student house only uses electricity, you won’t need to worry about paying for gas.
It’s also worth finding out if your property has a water meter or if it is on a standard tariff – this will save you searching for a water meter on move-in day when your house doesn’t have one.
Wondering where to find all this information? Your landlord or letting agent should be able to help you out!
You’ll need to find out who your utility (electricity, gas and water) suppliers are as soon as you can. To find out who your suppliers are, you can ask your landlord or letting agent or find out online.
The Energy Network Association search tool can help you determine your electricity supplier. First, you’ll find out who your network operator is using your postcode, then contact them to find your electricity supplier. For gas, you can use the Find My Supplier search tool. Your electricity and gas suppliers will often be the same (you can usually get a specific gas and electricity deal called a dual fuel tariff). However, this is not always the case.
You can use this tool to find out who supplies your water.
There’s no reason why you have to stick with your current energy supplier if you think you can get a better deal elsewhere. Do some research and see what other suppliers and energy tariffs are available.
If you do switch energy suppliers, you’ll still have to pay the final bill from the old supplier. You’ll also need to take meter readings on the day you switch over and give these readings to your old and new suppliers. This ensures you’re not being charged twice for the same energy. You can take your new meter readings on the day you move into the new property.
Moving into your new home can be a pretty stressful experience, but when it comes to taking over utilities, there’s one thing you can’t forget to do: take a meter reading.
When you move into your new student house, you must make a note of your meter readings. You’ll need these when setting up your utility accounts – they ensure you only pay for the energy or water you use.
If your property doesn’t have a water meter, you’ll be on a standard tariff and won’t have to worry about taking any water meter readings. Likewise, you won’t have to take a gas meter reading if your house doesn’t use gas.
Meters are usually located in a cellar, under the stairs, in a cupboard near the front door, or in a box on an outside wall. If they’re hiding, give your landlord or agent a shout.
You should do the following step as soon as possible after moving in – ideally within the first week or two.
Call the current suppliers to tell them you’ve moved in. Give them your move-in date and those meter readings. If you’ve found a better deal elsewhere and want to switch, now is the time to tell them.
If you’re already stressed just reading about how to take over utilities when moving into a new student house, we’ve got you.
Split the Bills is a bill-splitting service trusted by thousands of students. This is the best way to simplify your household bills!
We do all the hard work of setting up your utility accounts to keep things as simple as possible. You can choose the services you want included in your package, including gas, electricity, water, and even your TV Licence. All the payments will be split equally between all your housemates and bundled together in one neat monthly bill!
If you’re moving into a new student house, make things as simple as possible – get a monthly price for your bills today!
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