Moving to university is an exciting new chapter, but it also comes with new responsibilities that students need to familiarise themselves with. This involves your household bills, including your water bill. Understanding how your water bill works is important to avoid issues and unexpected costs.
Do Students Pay Water Bills?
Students living in private rented accommodation in Wales and England usually pay water bills. In some cases, water bills may be included in the rent, which is often the case for university halls of residence. If you’re unsure, check your tenancy agreement. In Scotland, the system is different: households consisting only of full-time students are exempt from paying water and wastewater charges.
How Water Bills Work in the UK
Water bills in the UK cover the cost of supplying fresh water to your property, as well as removing and treating wastewater (the water you’ve used). They’re calculated on either a metered or unmetered tariff. If you’re unsure which one you’re on, it will say on your water bill.
Metered vs Unmetered Tariffs
Households on a metered tariff have a water meter on their property which measures the amount of water they use, and your bill will be calculated based on this. This means that the more water you use, the higher your water bill will be.
Those on an unmetered tariff have a fixed bill that always stays the same, regardless of how much water their household uses. Usually, unmetered tariffs are charged based on the Rateable Value (RV) of your property, an older method for calculating water bills for properties that don’t have a water meter.
How Much Do Students Pay for Water?
This depends on a range of factors, such as whether the property is metered or unmetered, how many people live there, your geographical location, and how much water your household uses. When split between housemates, water bills are typically around £10-£40 per student each month.
Are Students Exempt from Water Bills?
Students aren’t exempt from paying water bills, except in Scotland. While bills are sometimes bundled into rent, students living in private rented accommodation are usually responsible for paying their water bills.
Can Students Get a Discount on Water Bills?
No, students can’t get a discount on water bills. However, splitting your water bill with your housemates can make it much more affordable.
Splitting the Water Bill With Housemates
At The Student Energy Group, we make student bill splitting simple by combining your household bills into one monthly statement that you can split equally and easily. This prevents the need for manual calculations, saves you time, and reduces household arguments about who owes what.
What Happens if You Don’t Pay Your Water Bill?
If you don’t pay your water bill, you’ll eventually receive notices from your water supplier reminding you to pay. While they can’t legally disconnect your water, if you don’t make payment after they’ve sent reminders, they may eventually take further action to recover the debt. Many water suppliers offer payment plans or support schemes to help customers struggling to pay their water bills, so it’s best to contact them if you’re having difficulty paying rather than ignoring the problem.
With The Student Energy Group, you’ll only ever have to pay your own share, so if someone else doesn’t pay, nobody else in your household will be affected.
Tips to Lower Your Student Water Bill
Making changes to reduce your water usage can help lower your water bill. Even if you’re on an unmetered tariff, using less hot water can help cut your energy costs. Talk to your housemates about what you can all do to make a difference. This can include:
- Reducing your shower times
- Turning off the taps when you’re not using them, such as when washing dishes or brushing your teeth
- Only running full loads in the washing machine
- Collecting rainwater and using it to water your plants
- Fixing leaks straightaway
Saving On Your Water Bill With The Student Energy Group
At The Student Energy Group, we take the stress out of your bills so you can focus on enjoying your time at university. Our bills package for students bundles your household bills, such as electricity, gas, water, TV licence, and broadband, into one monthly statement that you and your housemates can split evenly between you. We even plant a tree for every household that signs up, as a step towards a brighter future! Get a free, no-obligation quote from us today to stop unnecessary bill stress.
