Lori Meadows
Students in England are expected to pay water bills, which cover water and sewerage services. While there is no student discount for water bills, students can split the cost with their housemates. Water bills are managed by the government, and each area is covered by a single supplier, so there is no way to switch providers to get a better deal. However, students can opt for a metered tariff, where they pay for the amount of water used, or a standard tariff, where a set cost is paid regardless of usage. Students can also explore schemes such as WaterSure to help with water bill payments if they meet certain criteria.
Do students pay water rates in England?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student discount on water bills | No student discount unless in Scotland |
| Average annual water and sewerage bill | £473 |
| Average monthly water bill per student | £10 |
| Annual adjustment to customer bills | Yes |
| Water bill payment options | Monthly, once every six months, or annually |
| Water bill payment methods | Over the phone, online, or through direct debit |
| Water bill payment options for students sharing accommodation | Split the Bills service |
| Water bill reduction options | Social tariff for low-income households, WaterSure scheme for households with a high essential use of water |
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What You'll Learn
Students in Scotland are exempt from water bills
Students in England typically have to pay for water and sewerage services. However, students in Scotland are exempt from paying water bills under certain conditions.
In Scotland, water and waste water charges are usually included in the council tax bill. Since students are exempt from paying council tax, they are also exempt from paying for water. This applies if the property is occupied solely by full-time university students.
However, some properties in Scotland have water meters, and residents pay Scottish Water directly. In this case, students may not be exempt from paying water charges. They would need to negotiate with Scottish Water to revert to ordinary non-metered charging to receive a discount or exemption.
Students in Scotland should check with the water company to ensure they do not charge for this bill. It is also recommended to refer to the Scottish Water website or Citizens Advice for more information.
While students in Scotland may be exempt from water bills, they will still need to pay for other utilities such as electricity, heating, and broadband. Dealing with utility bills can be daunting, but there are now various ways to split bills with housemates, such as bill-splitting services that combine household bills into one monthly statement.
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Students elsewhere in the UK must pay water bills
Students in England do pay water rates, and these can be split and shared with housemates. Water bills are managed by the government, so there is no competition or need to search for deals. However, there are different ways to pay for water usage, which will impact the price. If a student house has a water meter, they will pay for the amount of water used. If they do not have a meter, they will pay a set cost no matter how much water they use. This is usually based on the rateable value of the home.
In Scotland, the rules are different. Full-time students are exempt from paying water and wastewater charges if the property is occupied solely by full-time students. This is because water and waste charges are included in the council tax bill, and students are exempt from paying council tax. However, if students choose to have a water meter installed, they will need to pay for this separately from their council tax.
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Students can split water bills with housemates
Students in England do have to pay for water and sewerage services. However, there is no student discount for water bills. Once you've split the bill between you and your housemates, it'll be cheaper.
There are two types of water tariffs: standard and metered. A standard tariff is based on a government survey that estimates how much water your house will use and charges a set cost. This is usually the cheaper option. A metered tariff records the amount of water your house uses and charges you accordingly.
There are several ways to split water bills with housemates. In the past, student houses typically allocated one person to collect money from everyone each month and pay the bill from their account. Now, there are other options, such as bill-splitting services, which can save you money and ensure that one person isn't responsible for paying all the bills. However, these services may restrict you to certain suppliers, and you might miss out on the best deals.
Another option is to set up a joint bank account for the house, where everyone puts in money each month, and the bills are paid from there. This saves the hassle of repaying each other, but it does come with some risk. If someone fails to make their contribution on time, the credit rating of anyone whose name is on the account could be affected. Therefore, this method is only recommended when you know and trust your housemates to pay on time.
You could also ask everyone to set up a standing order to one person's bank account, so you don't have to chase people up every month. Additionally, paying your water bill by Direct Debit could save you money and help build your credit score.
It's important to have good communication with your housemates from the beginning. Calling a house meeting to discuss how you'll split the bills can make the task feel less daunting and help you all agree on a method.
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Students can save money by using less water
Students in England are expected to pay water bills unless they are full-time students living in Scotland, in which case they are exempt from paying water bills. While students in England do not get a discount on water bills, there are several ways to save money by using less water.
Firstly, check if your student house has a water meter. If it does, you will pay for the amount of water you use, so using less water will directly reduce your bills. If your house does not have a water meter, you pay a set cost regardless of usage. In this case, you can request a water meter to be installed, which may reduce your bills.
There are many ways to reduce water usage and save money. Many water companies offer free water-saving devices such as tap extensions that reduce water flow, showerheads that distribute flow more efficiently, and timers for showers. You can also reduce water usage by taking shorter showers instead of baths, only running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, and not overfilling your kettle.
Other ways to save water include installing a water butt to capture rainwater if you water your garden, and checking for leaks. Even a minor leak or drip can waste significant water over time, so regularly check toilets, taps, showers, and any other plumbing fixtures and fittings so they can be repaired quickly to prevent waste.
In addition, students can save water by using buckets and drain plugs for sinks instead of leaving faucets open, drinking water from the tap instead of using disposable water bottles, and implementing composting systems for landscaping waste to reduce the need for water-contaminating fertilizers. By adopting these water-saving practices and better water management, students can save money on their water bills and contribute to water conservation.
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Students on low incomes can access social tariffs
Students in England are expected to pay water bills in full once a year on a standard tariff or every six months if they are on a meter. While there is no student discount for water bills in England, students on low incomes may be able to access social tariffs to reduce their bills.
Social tariffs are discounted bills offered by companies to vulnerable people on low incomes. Every water company offers a social tariff scheme, and the eligibility criteria and qualifying rules vary by company. For example, some providers offer social tariffs to people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and some other benefits, with deals from £15 a month.
Students on low incomes can also take other measures to reduce their water bills. They can use water-saving devices, take showers instead of baths, only run washing machines and dishwashers with full loads, and not overfill their kettles. Students can also consider switching to a metered tariff, which charges based on usage, or split their water bills with housemates to make it more affordable.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, students in England have to pay for water and sewerage services.
No, students do not get a discount on water bills in England. However, there are other ways to save money on water bills, such as using less water.
The average annual water and sewerage bill in England is around £473, which works out to approximately £1.29 per day. This can be split between housemates, so each student can expect to pay somewhere around £10 per month.
Students can pay their water bills in England by finding their local water supplier and contacting them to set up payments. Different options for payment are usually available, such as over the phone, online, or through direct debit.
Yes, there are schemes such as WaterSure that help people with their water bills. To qualify for WaterSure, individuals must be on benefits or have a certain number of school-age children and use a lot of water for medical reasons or otherwise.
