Remember! If you are in halls, check to see what's included in your rent.

Here are some tips for splitting bills and not friendships.


Sharing houses ... sharing bills

Bills often cause tension between housemates. Everyone cringes when they come through - electricity, water, gas, council tax, TV licensing.

  1. Decide how bills should be divided. Most bills should be paid by all. However for some 'extras' such as broadband internet or landline telephone, only the flatmates who use them should chip in. If you live with a couple, you should split the bill three ways so it's equal.
  2. Decide who will be responsible for paying the bill. Their name will be on the account so they'll be in trouble if they don't pay. You could all take charge of one bill each.
  3. Some housemates on tight budgets may have difficulty paying all their share in one hit. You could all put some money away each week, so when one comes through the door, you've got enough money to cover it

Reducing energy bills (and helping the environment!)

  1. Turning the thermostat down by 1°C can cut your heating bill by about 10% ; that's around £100 per year.
  2. When a room is empty, make sure that the lights are turned off.
  3. Close the curtains at night so you don't lose heat through the windows.
  4. Stop draughts from badly fitting windows and doors and you could save up to £20 on your bills.
  5. Set your heating to come on around half an hour before you come home rather than leave it on all day whilst no one is in the house.
  6. Don't put furniture in front of a radiator as the heat will be wasted. You can also put silver foil behind the radiator to make it even more efficient.
  7. Leaving your appliances on standby wastes energy. Make the effort and turn them off.
  8. Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
  9. Try to use washing machines only when full and set the temperature for 40°C rather than the usual 60°C. You'll still end up with clean clothes!
  10. Use the shower and not the bath. You'll use only 30 per cent of the water and heat.
  11. When using the kettle don't fill it too full. If you're only making a Pot Noodle only boil enough for your needs.
  12. If you're cold, put a jumper on rather than heading straight for the heating!

This information is provided by the National Union of Students. More info at www.nus.org.uk