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What Bills Do You Pay When Renting? A Complete UK Guide

Rent is only one part of the cost of renting a home. Before signing a tenancy agreement, check which bills you must pay. Some costs may already be included in your rent.

What bills do you pay when renting?

As a tenant, you’re usually responsible for:

  • Rent
  • Council Tax
  • Gas and electricity
  • Water
  • Broadband and phone services
  • TV licence, if required
  • Contents insurance (optional but recommended)

Some landlords offer bills-included rentals, where certain costs are covered within your monthly rent. Always check your tenancy agreement to see exactly what’s included.

Does rent include bills?

Sometimes, but not always.

Most private rental properties require tenants to pay their own utility bills and Council Tax. However, some rentals include certain services in the monthly rent.

Bills commonly included are:

  • Water
  • Gas and electricity
  • Broadband
  • TV licence
  • Council Tax (less common)

Properties marketed as “all bills included” often combine several of these costs into one monthly payment. These arrangements are common in house shares, student accommodation and some serviced apartments.

Never assume bills are included. Ask the landlord or letting agent for a written breakdown before signing.

Council Tax

Council Tax is one of the largest household bills after rent.

In most private tenancies, tenants are responsible for paying Council Tax directly to the local authority, unless the tenancy agreement or the type of property means the landlord is responsible.

Is Council Tax included in rent?

Usually not.

You should expect to pay Council Tax unless your tenancy agreement clearly states otherwise.

There are some exceptions:

  • Student households may be exempt.
  • Some Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) require the landlord to pay.
  • Certain supported accommodation has different arrangements.

How much Council Tax should I pay?

The amount depends on:

  • Your property’s Council Tax band
  • Your local council
  • Whether you’re eligible for discounts

If you live alone, you may qualify for a 25% single-person discount. You can check your property’s Council Tax band on GOV.UK before moving in.

Gas and electricity

If utilities aren’t included, you’ll normally pay for your own gas and electricity.

After moving in, you should:

  1. Take meter readings.
  2. Contact the current supplier.
  3. Set up your account.
  4. Consider comparing tariffs if you’re allowed to switch suppliers.

Remember that energy bills usually include both your usage and a daily standing charge. If your property has a prepayment meter, you’ll pay as you top up your credit.

Water bills

Many tenants also pay for water and sewerage services.

Do landlords pay water bills in the UK?

Water charges are usually the tenant’s responsibility in self-contained rented homes. However, some landlords include water charges in the rent, particularly where separate metering is not available.
Always confirm who is responsible before moving in.

Broadband and phone

Broadband isn’t usually included in rent unless it’s advertised as part of the tenancy.

If not, you’ll need to:

  • Choose a broadband provider.
  • Arrange installation if needed and if permitted by the landlord or building management
  • Pay the monthly subscription.

If you’re sharing with others, many households split this cost equally.

TV licence

You need a TV licence if you:

  • Watch live television on any channel.
  • Stream live TV online.
  • Use BBC iPlayer.
  • If you don’t use these services, you may not need one.

The licence applies to the household, although different rules can apply in shared accommodation.

Contents insurance

Unlike building insurance, contents insurance protects your personal belongings.

It isn’t legally required, but it can cover items such as:

  • Furniture
  • Clothing
  • Laptops
  • Mobile phones
  • Bicycles
  • Jewellery

Many tenants find it worthwhile, particularly if replacing valuable items would be expensive.

Do landlords pay any bills?

Landlords are responsible for some property-related costs, even when tenants pay household bills.

These typically include:

  • Building insurance
  • Property maintenance and repairs
  • Safety inspections
  • Ground rent and service charges, where applicable

They may also remain responsible for utilities in properties with bills included or certain HMOs. Your tenancy agreement should clearly explain where responsibilities begin and end.

Typical bills when renting

Bill Usually paid by
Rent Tenant
Council Tax Tenant
Gas Tenant
Electricity Tenant
Water Tenant or landlord
Broadband Tenant
TV licence Tenant
Contents insurance Tenant (optional)
Building insurance Landlord
Property repairs Landlord

What should you check before signing a tenancy agreement?

Understanding your responsibilities before moving in can help you avoid unexpected costs.

Use this checklist:

    • Ask which bills are included.
    • Confirm who pays Council Tax.
    • Check responsibility for water charges.
    • Find out which energy supplier currently serves the property.
    • Take meter readings on move-in day.
    • Ask whether you can switch utility providers.
    • Check broadband availability.
    • Understand any additional service charges.

If anything is unclear, ask for clarification before signing the agreement.

Budgeting for renting

When planning your monthly budget, don’t focus on rent alone.

Consider setting aside money for:

  • Utilities
  • Council Tax
  • Internet
  • Insurance
  • Household essentials
  • Check whether heating is supplied through an individual meter or a communal heating system.

Keeping all your regular bills in one budget can make managing your finances much easier.

What bills are included in a Heimstaden rental?

At Heimstaden, the bills included in your rent depend on the property you choose. Most UK rental homes require tenants to pay their own utilities and Council Tax. However, some developments include selected services in the monthly rent.

For example, at PLATFORM_ Edinburgh, high-speed WiFi is included as part of the rent because the building uses a single broadband provider for all residents. Council Tax and electricity are paid separately by tenants. Other Heimstaden properties may have different arrangements, so it’s always important to check the property listing or tenancy agreement to see exactly what’s included.

Before signing your tenancy agreement, we recommend confirming:

  • Which utilities, if any, are included in the rent.
  • Whether you’ll need to set up your own gas, electricity or water accounts.
  • Who is responsible for paying Council Tax.
  • Whether broadband is provided or needs to be arranged separately.

Knowing what’s included from the outset will help you budget accurately and avoid any unexpected costs after you move in.

Frequently asked questions

Not usually. Most tenants pay their own utilities unless the tenancy specifically states they’re included.
Usually not. Most tenants pay Council Tax directly to their local authority, although there are some exceptions.
Sometimes. In many rentals, tenants pay water charges, but some landlords include them in the rent.
Often yes, although some tenancy agreements include restrictions. Check with your landlord before switching.
Yes, if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
Missed payments can lead to debt, additional charges and damage to your credit history. Contact your supplier as soon as possible if you’re struggling to pay.

Looking for a home to rent?

Once you understand the costs of renting, finding the right home becomes much easier. Heimstaden offers quality rental homes across several UK cities, helping renters find properties that suit their lifestyle and budget. Explore available homes in your preferred location and check each property’s listing to see whether any bills are included.