Can I get a council tax reduction?

Full-time registered students can apply for an exemption from paying council tax. To be classified as a full-time student, you must be on a course that lasts at least a year and requires over 21 hours of study each week. Part-time students will usually need to pay, but could be eligible for a reduction based on other factors. To claim an exemption, you can request the form on MyTSD.

Going straight into postgraduate study? You will have to pay tax during the summer breaks between academic years. 

If you're living in a shared house with both full-time students and non-students, you will get a council tax bill through the door each month. However, only the non-student tenants will have to pay it – full-time students are still exempt.

Do I need a TV licence?

If you or anyone in your home watches or records TV programmes as they’re shown on TV or on an online TV service (including your laptop, tablet or smartphone) such as All4, SkyGo and YouTube, or downloads or watches BBC programmes on demand on iPlayer, you’re legally required to obtain a TV licence or you may be fined.

How much money should I put aside for utility bills?

One of the biggest outgoings for students are utility bills such as gas and electricity. You can discuss switching your supplier with your letting agent or landlord. Using a price comparison site like Compare The Market will help you to find the best deal. You can reduce your electricity usage by switching off electronics and appliances at the mains socket when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby, and switching to energy-saving LED lightbulbs. 

You could also request a smart meter from your energy provider to help you track your electricity usage and provide accurate meter readings. Many suppliers install these for free. And it may sound obvious but wear warmer clothes around the house instead of turning the central heating on unnecessarily, and set a schedule on your central heating, rather than heating an empty home all day while you’re out.

Water bills in each area of the country are covered by a single supplier. If you’re on a standard tariff, you’ll be billed a fixed amount depending on the value of the house. You can pay the entire annual bill upfront or pay it throughout the year. If your house is on a water meter, you only pay for the water you’ve used. You can save water by turning the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth and limiting showers to five minutes – buy a waterproof shower timer and get everyone in your house on board. And finally, try to only run your washing machine on a full load so that you’re not wasting water, schedule a wash day with your housemates.

You’ll need to pay for the phone line and broadband. Few people use a landline to make phone calls any more, so you may only need it for your internet connection. Consider how much data you’ll need, depending on number of occupants and your activity. You may want to look for an unlimited deal for peace of mind. Make sure to factor in setup costs, the length of your contract and coverage in your area before committing to anything.

Once all your bills are set up, you’ll need to work out how you’re going to pay. Have a conversation with your housemates about the bills. Who will be in charge? When will roommates pay? What happens if someone is late or cannot cover their share? You may want to consider a bill splitting service or package student deal. These companies package utility bills into one monthly payment and splits it evenly for you.

Make sure you can afford your basic bills each month. We suggest you set up online banking, as it’s a lot easier to keep track of when your bills are going out to give you peace of mind. To make sure you don’t overspend, you may want to create a separate account for your monthly payments. If you are in financial difficulty, there are bursaries available through the university to help you.

Where can I find out when our rubbish/recycling is being collected?

You can find out when your bins are collected online by visiting the website of your local council. You should be able to enter your postcode, to find out your bin collection day and to access the calendar for your area.

I'm struggling to settle in. Is it just me feeling lonely/homesick?

For some people, the transition of moving to university will feel smooth and straightforward, but for many, it will take time to settle in. Allow yourself time to adjust to a new lifestyle and remember that other people will be having similar feelings to you. If you're feeling homesick it can be tempting to shut yourself away, but this can leave you feeling more isolated. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, while most people benefit from some social interaction, it is important to find a balance that works well for you as an individual. Leaving your door open while you're in your room is one way of creating an opportunity for a conversation to start. 

You may find that you have more in common with people from your course or prefer socialising with others outside your flat. Joining a club or society will introduce you to people with a shared interest, visit our Opportunities page for more information. 

Students are also encouraged to seek well-being support if you’re looking for a safe space to chat about how you are feeling.