Housing Advice - Costs and budgets
Rent Things to think about:  
  • Can you afford it?
  • Will it include utility bills or not?
  • How and when will you pay it?
  • If you receive a student loan will these funds arrive before the date your rent is due?
  • If the landlord asks for a deposit make sure you get a receipt.
  • If you pay a ‘holding deposit’ ensure that you also get written terms and conditions attached to it, explaining in what circumstances you will not get the money back. 
 
FeesFrom 1 June 2019, most tenant fees for new tenancies are now legally banned. The act will also ban any prohibited fees for all existing tenancies on 1 June 2020.

 

View more information on Letting Fees here.
 
DepositsSee deposits section. 
 
Electricity and gasIn most cases, you will be billed by the utility company for gas and electricity, usually on a quarterly basis (every 3 months). Ensure you provide actual meter readings so that you only pay for what you have used. If you live in a large house the heating and electricity bills are likely to be more expensive. Can you afford to heat the house in winter? Prepayment meters: If your property has a ‘pay as you go’ meter, you will have a key or card which tops up the meter with credit. You can top up at the Post Office or any local shop which displays the Payzone or PayPoint logo.
BroadbandTypically paid monthly; do look around for the best deal!
TV Licence£154.50 per annum (as of April 1 2019) - visit www.tvlicencing.co.uk for details.
InsuranceTypically paid monthly; do shop around for the best deal! Endsleigh are responsible for insurance in Imperial halls of residence. Their website is www.endsleigh.co.uk.
 
Other costs
TravelOrder a student oyster card online and it will save you a lot of money. You might also want to use Santander bikes to get around or consider investing in your own.
SocialisingThere are plenty of free things to do in London; you can pick up a free Time Out on Tuesdays outside most underground stations or look online on a variety of websites.
FoodEating out is more expensive than cooking at home. Taking a packed lunch is also a good way of saving money. Shopping around for a bargain is essential; compare your local supermarkets – smaller ‘mini’ versions of shops can be more expensive. Check out supermarket own-brand ranges and bargain shelves.
 
Course costsPick up freebies at the Freshers’ Fair and save money by buying second-hand books or using the library.