How to set up and manage bills for your student house

Moving into a student house can be one of the most fun stages of your life. Working out how to handle bills with your chaotic housemates can be one of the least fun – and the bit you’re rarely taught about. Gas, electricity, broadband: the list adds up fast, and it all needs splitting and staying on top of.

This article covers the types of bills you’ll need to consider, how to get everything sorted when you move in, and how to divide costs fairly.

What bills do you need to set up?

First up, check your tenancy agreement as some landlords include certain bills in the rent. But generally, most student houses need to sort out five bills:

Gas and electricity: this is your energy bill, and often the biggest one.
Water: you’ll usually register with the existing regional supplier rather than choosing your own.
Broadband: you’ll be able to choose a supplier that suits your budget and needs. Shop around early as installation can take one or two weeks.
TV Licence: you’ll need one if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer. One licence covers the whole house.
Council tax: if you’re a full-time student, you’re usually exempt from paying council tax. Exactly how this is handled depends on your property, landlord and local council. More on that in a minute.

How to set up your utilities step by step

Take meter readings and photograph your gas and electricity meters as soon as you arrive. This protects you from being charged for energy you didn’t use.
Find your existing energy supplier. Check old letters or ask your landlord or letting agent, then contact the supplier to register as the new account holder.
Compare tariffs using comparison sites like Uswitch or Money Supermarket to check whether switching suppliers could save you money.
Register with your water company. Your regional supplier is fixed, so no shopping around is needed.
Try to set up broadband before you move to avoid starting term without Wi-Fi.
Check how council tax is handled for your property. If you’re a full-time student, you’re usually exempt from paying council tax. In some student properties, your landlord may ask for proof of your student status and arrange the exemption on your behalf. In other cases, you’ll need to download an exemption certificate from your university and send it to your local council yourself.

All set. You’re (basically) a fully fledged adult.

How to split student house bills fairly

Bill splitting is one of the most common sources of housemate tension, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a few ways to handle it – one person can manage the whole lot, which is simple but puts a fair bit of pressure on that person if others are slow to pay up.

Alternatively, you could divide bills between you so each person owns one and collects contributions via a monzo.me link. This spreads responsibility, but tracking what everyone owes can get a bit messy.

This is where a dedicated tool like Monzo Split comes in handy. It lets you split costs directly in the app, which means no awkward conversations and no chasing people up. You can send payment reminders and settle up with existing Monzo customers, as well as housemates who don’t bank with Monzo.

You can also set up a shared bills Pot for your roommates to contribute to, and set direct debits to go out of that Pot automatically.

Tips for keeping on top of student bills all year

Once you’re set up, you’ll still need to keep an eye on things to make sure you’re keeping up with payments and not being charged too much (or too little).

Set up direct debits so bills are paid automatically and you never miss a date. Check your energy usage monthly and flag anything unusually high that could be a billing error or price change. Don’t ignore letters from your energy supplier as they often flag changes that need action. When the end of your tenancy arrives, take meter readings and photograph them to avoid disputes over your final student house utility bills.

And finally, if you get your maintenance loan in termly instalments, consider putting money aside for bills as soon as it lands. That way, you know your rent and household costs are covered before you start spending on anything else. With Salary Sorter, you can automatically sort your maintenance loan into your chosen Pots the moment it arrives, so you know exactly what’s budgeted for what.

Explore Monzo for students

Monzo Current Accounts are for UK residents aged 16+. Current account Ts&Cs apply. Student Finance payment dates and processes may change – check the official Student Finance England website for the latest information.

Questions? Answers.

When should I set up bills for my student house?

Ideally you should set up bills before or on move-in day. Broadband is the one to prioritise as installation can take a couple of weeks, so signing up late could mean starting term without Wi-Fi. For energy and water, move-in day is fine. Take your meter readings straight away, then contact the existing supplier to register. If you’re responsible for arranging your council tax exemption, it’s worth doing this as soon as you’ve enrolled at university. If you’re renting a room in an HMO, your landlord or letting agent may manage this instead, so check with them first.

What happens here depends on who’s named on the bill. If you’re the only account holder, the supplier will expect you to pay the full amount, even if your housemates haven’t paid you back yet. If several of you are named on the account, you’re usually all responsible for making sure the full bill is paid – even if one housemate agreed to manage the payments. Agreeing upfront on how you’ll split costs can help avoid awkward situations later. Split lets you keep track of who owes what and sends payment reminders for you.

Are students exempt from council tax?

If everyone in your household is a full-time student, you won’t usually have to pay council tax, although you’ll normally need to provide proof of your student status. Depending on the type of property you live in, your landlord may handle this or you may need to apply through your local council yourself.

If you live with someone who’s not a full-time student, different rules apply. The household may still receive a council tax discount, but some council tax could still be due. Exactly how much depends on your circumstances and your local council. Heads up: if you’re living in your student house outside of term time, you might need to pay council tax. Check with your local council to see what applies to you.

What are the average student monthly bills?

Average student monthly bills vary depending on where you live and how many people share the house, but most students pay around £50 to £100 a month per person for gas, electricity, and water. Broadband adds roughly £6 to £13 a month per person depending on the package and how many of you split it. The TV Licence is £174.50 a year (as of 2026), which works out at around £14.50 a month. Divide that between your housemates and it’s much more manageable. If you’re worried about money, we have resources that can help. Visit our help with money worries page to learn more.