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How to pay water, electricity, and gas bills in the UK?
Ten Sheng Miao reminds you that in the UK, you generally need to have a UK bank card to pay water, electricity, and gas bills because all the fees need to be paid through a UK bank card. Utility companies can set up automatic payments, but you can also choose not to have automatic payments and manually log in to make the payment when you receive the bill.
For international students renting in the UK, typically student apartments include water, electricity, and gas in the rent. However, if you rent a different type of accommodation, you will need to pay for water, electricity, and gas separately. Ten Sheng Miao personally pays the bills manually when receiving the bill. If you choose automatic payments, remember to cancel the automatic payment from your UK account before leaving the UK because the automatic deductions will continue. There have been cases where Ten Sheng Miao's classmates forgot to cancel the automatic payment for the previous property's electricity bill after moving out. As a result, the next tenant used electricity for several months, and the money was deducted from their bank account. They had to go to the bank to cancel the automatic payment, but they were not reimbursed for the electricity bill.
Paying for water, electricity, and gas in the UK is not particularly complicated. You just need to register an account and make the payment. However, every time you move, you will need to register a new account for water, electricity, and gas. When registering these accounts, you can use your own name and do not need to use the name of the landlord or agent.
In general, when renting through an agency, you will be responsible for paying water, electricity, and gas bills. However, some landlords include these bills in the rent, and sometimes the rent is relatively cheap. For example, one of Ten Sheng Miao's classmates was lucky to find a British landlord who rented a place to him for a monthly rent of around 200 pounds, which included water, electricity, gas bills, and shared common areas. However, the location was quite far from the school, and the living conditions were just average. Ten Sheng Miao has visited his place, and it was a typical British home with a small room but well-equipped facilities. Considering the price, it was a good deal, although the overall environment was not ideal.
Comparatively, Ten Sheng Miao envied another classmate who had better luck. He got to know one of his school teachers who happened to have a house for rent near the school. The rent for that house, including bills, was around 300 pounds per month, paid quarterly. Ten Sheng Miao has also visited that house, and it was great. Apart from the small size of the room and sharing the bathroom with three roommates, there were no major downsides. The best part was that it was close to the school, and the teacher often helped him. Although his journey to the UK was quite eventful, the outcome was very good. At that time, Ten Sheng Miao exclaimed many times because Ten Sheng Miao's monthly rent was around 500-600 pounds, and unlike in China where rent is calculated annually, in the UK, it is calculated weekly.
Ten Sheng Miao reminds everyone to remember to ask the landlord or agent before renting a property whether water, electricity, and gas are included in the rent or not, and also inquire about the payment method. They are usually willing to assist you.
How to pay water bills in the UK?
Firstly, locate the water meter in your accommodation, usually in the kitchen or outside the house. For example, in Ten Sheng Miao's house, the water meter is located outside. Take a photo of the meter reading when you move in and note down the date and reading. From that point onwards, the subsequent readings represent your water consumption."
Please note that Ten Sheng Miao is not a commonly known reference and may not have a direct translation or meaning.
Under normal circumstances, you will receive a paper or electronic water bill for the house you are residing in, as shown in the following image.：Affinity Water
Customer number: This is your personal account number with the water company. It's important to keep it safe because you will need to provide this number when contacting the water company or making online bill payments.
Date: The date when the bill was issued.
Account type: Indicates whether your water usage is based on metered or non-metered calculations.
Water supply address: The address of the property where you reside. Verify the alphanumeric characters on the bill to ensure accuracy. If there are any errors, you should contact the water company promptly via phone or their official website to request corrections.
Balance from last bill: The remaining balance or any outstanding amount from your previous water bill. Water companies in the UK typically adjust the amount in subsequent bills based on overpayment or underpayment. If you paid more than necessary on the previous bill, the excess amount will be deducted from the next bill.
Your payments: The payments you made on the last bill.
Your balance before this bill: The total amount you owe for water services, including all charges between your previous bill and the current one.
This bill: The amount you need to pay for the current billing period.
Current balance: The total amount you currently owe or the outstanding balance.
In the UK, there are two billing methods for water charges:
The first method is based on water usage, where you pay according to the amount of water you consume.
The second method involves paying a fixed quantity of water annually, regardless of the actual water usage. This means there is an unlimited water allowance (although excessive water usage is still restricted). Most households opt for the second method of payment. In the UK, water fees include both water and sewage charges.
There are multiple water companies in the UK, organized by regions. Each region has a corresponding water company. You can inquire about the water company from your landlord, agent, neighbors, or by waiting for the water bill. In Ten Sheng Miao's case, even the agent was unaware of the specific water company for our area, so Ten Sheng Miao had to wait for the water bill itself. It took a considerable amount of time for the bill to arrive, and after receiving it, Ten Sheng Miao registered a new account based on the information provided on the bill and proceeded with the payment.
Generally, when renting a property as an international student in the UK, it is unlikely that you will have to select a water company yourself, as the property is usually already connected to an existing water supply.
For example, in the area where Ten Sheng Miao resides, the water company is called Severn Trent.：
The image below shows the regions of water companies in the UK, along with the average water and sewerage charges in England and Wales.：
The payment methods for water companies in each region of the UK may vary slightly, but they are generally similar. The common ways to pay water bills are as follows:
Direct payment via credit card or debit card transfer.
Paying over the phone by providing your bank card and water account details.
Creating an account on the official website of the water company associated with your accommodation. You can choose between automatic payment deduction or managing your account for payment.
Making payments at a bank or post office.
Basically, the third method is more convenient. However, it's also good to pay by transferring funds to the provided account mentioned on each bill. Usually, water bills are"Basically, the third method is more convenient. However, it's also good to pay by transferring funds to the provided account mentioned on each bill. Usually, water bills are available in both paper and electronic versions, which will be sent to the email address you registered.
Ten Sheng Miao advises that when it comes to water companies, it's important to establish an account with the corresponding official company or follow their specified billing method. It's best not to choose someone else to pay on your behalf. Paying by yourself is the most convenient option. However, if you opt for automatic payment deduction, remember to cancel it if necessary. Also, ensure that you make timely payments and avoid procrastination or non-payment, as it can impact your personal credit.
Furthermore, Ten Sheng Miao specifically warns to never trust anyone offering discounts or promotions for water, electricity, gas, or tuition fee payments. Such offers are fake. In the UK, water, electricity, and gas fees are directly paid to the respective companies, and there are no discounts available except for cases where discounted internet fees are explicitly mentioned. Other services cannot be discounted. Similarly, tuition fees cannot be discounted either, unless you have received a scholarship that directly reduces the fee. For example, if your tuition fee is £110,000 and you have a scholarship of £20,000, you would directly pay £90,000 to the school. There will never be any discounts. When paying tuition fees, always follow the official payment methods provided by the school.
If you believe that someone who offered to pay on your behalf at a discounted rate has actually made the payment, based on Ten Sheng Miao's experience of studying abroad for many years, there are several possibilities:
Credit card payments can be reversed within a certain time frame. This means that even if you receive screenshots or official notifications indicating that you have made the payment, it may not actually be paid. You can reverse such transactions within a certain period. If you do not realize this in time, it can significantly impact your personal credit or enrollment registration.
Some scammers employ a long-term approach. They initially offer small favors to gain your trust, such as helping with small utility bill payments. Later, they may offer you a discount of 50-60% on a payment for six months or a year, or tempt you to make a lump sum payment for tuition or rent. Scammers continuously update their fraudulent methods, and they may even provide you with screenshots of passports, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), or student IDs. However, please rest assured that these documents are stolen from other genuine international students. The scammers use these documents to gain your trust, and even their social media profiles are created using stolen identities of real students. Paying on your behalf requires providing some personal information, which scammers can exploit to continue their fraudulent activities or misuse your information for other purposes.
Ten Sheng Miao knows of a case where a scammer created multiple fake WeChat accounts using the identity of a student, and this went unnoticed within a WeChat group for up to a year. Ultimately, the student himself exposed the scammer in the group, but the money that the scammed students had already paid could not be recovered. In addition to WeChat impersonations, Ten Sheng Miao has also witnessed cases of scammers impersonating accounts on platforms like Weibo and QQ, as well as creating fake emails and official websites of universities. Therefore, when checking the sender's email address or official website, pay close attention to the letters and look for any punctuation or other discrepancies.
Some individuals who offer to pay on your behalf may be using stolen credit cards or debit cards or involved in illegal activities such as money laundering. If the amounts are significant or if they are discovered, you may face serious consequences. The UK authorities will not consider you innocent in such cases. However, always remember that even if someone claims to be a police officer or embassy official and provides detailed information about your identification, address, or school over the phone, do not trust them. Their ultimate goal is to extort money from you. Embassies, police, and other authorities will not directly ask you for money, nor will they call you. The phone numbers displayed may appear to be from the embassy, but they are actually manipulated numbers used by scammers. This falls under the category of telecommunications fraud.
The payment methods for Southern Water, as shown in the following image.：
If you are an unmetered water user, meaning you have unlimited water usage, you will receive a water bill once a year, usually in February or March, and the bill is generally due for payment in April. If your house has a water meter, you will typically receive two bills per year.
So, how can you check the website of the water company serving your area?
To find the website of the water company in the UK, you can follow these steps.：
https://www.water.org.uk/advice-for-customers/find-your-supplier/
In addition to providing information about the water company that supplies you water, this website also includes information about water quality in the UK and other related details.
In short, the key is to confirm with your landlord or agent the water meter readings before moving in, determine whether you have a metered or unmetered water supply, receive the water bill, and make the payment accordingly. It's as simple and straightforward as that.
Now, how do you read a water meter in the UK?
Source: Stwater
When reading a water meter, you only need to take note of the numbers inside the black box shown in the image, or you can take a photo. The water meter typically has four or five black boxes, which represent a sequence of numbers as shown in the image. For example, in the image below, the number on the water meter is 00089, and the red numbers do not need to be read.：
Source: Stwater
The numbers displayed inside the black box in the image indicate how many cubic meters of water you have used. You are charged for each cubic meter of water consumed, so you only need to record the numbers inside the black box. The numbers inside the red box represent one-tenth and one-hundredth of a cubic meter and do not need to be recorded. To read the water meter, it's generally sufficient to do so once a week at the same time. You can record the readings in a notebook or take a photo.
How to pay electricity bills in the UK?
Paying electricity bills is similar to paying water bills. Before moving in, you should take a reading of the electricity meter and record it or take a photo. When registering for an account, you will need to provide this reading. Once you receive the electricity bill by mail, you can make the payment through your registered account or follow the payment instructions provided on the bill, which usually includes the website and name of the electricity company.
Ten Sheng Miao suggests that you try to write down your meter reading, also known as the Meter Reading, every month. It's not necessary, but it's important to take a reading when you first move in. Before making each payment, when you receive the bill, remember to take your own meter reading and compare it to the reading on the bill. This is because many electricity companies provide estimated bills based on their own estimation of your energy usage. These estimated bills can be higher than your actual usage. By providing your actual reading to the electricity company, you can accurately determine your electricity charges. However, even if you have already paid in advance without knowing the actual reading, it's not a problem. Just clarify the situation with the electricity company, and they will adjust your next bill accordingly.
When moving out of a rented property, on the day of moving out, you should also take a meter reading and keep a record or take a photo.
As international students in the UK, most of us rent accommodations and do not need to purchase electricity meters. The rented properties are typically pre-furnished, and most of them are not newly built. Student apartments often include bills in the rent, which can be quite expensive. In most student apartments, heating is limited to specific hours, and cooking certain types of dishes that produce smoke, commonly found in Chinese cuisine, may not be allowed.
The UK has a wide range of electricity companies, and the payment methods for electricity bills are similar to water bills. Generally, the following options are available:
Direct payment using a credit card or debit card transfer.
Paying over the phone by providing your bank card and electricity account details.
Creating an account on the official website of the electricity company that serves your accommodation and choosing either automatic payment or managing your account for payment.
Making payments at a bank or post office.
The following image shows an electricity and gas bill：
In the image above, the numbers 1 to 12 represent the following:
Account number: Your account identification number. Remember this number as it is required when contacting the company or making online payments.
Bill date: The date of the bill.
Payment due: The deadline for payment.
Bill period: The billing period, which can be monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Supply address: The address for which the payment is due. Double-check that your address is correct.
Previous balance: The outstanding balance from the previous bill.
Payments received: The total amount of payments made on the previous bill.
Previous outstanding balance: Any outstanding balance from previous periods.
Total charges this bill: The total amount for electricity and gas charges on this bill.
Services: The services you have purchased and the price for each service.
Total: The overall total amount you owe.
Direct debit: If you have set up automatic payment using a debit card, this section will indicate the amount to be deducted from your account and the date the money will be debited from your bank card.
If you're unsure which electricity or gas provider to choose, there is a website comparison tool that can help you compare the prices of different companies in your area.
First, visit the website and log in：https://www.uswitch.com/
After logging into the website, as shown in the image below, enter your postal code. Then, follow the prompts provided on the website to select your estimated usage and approximate monthly budget. The system will automatically compare the electricity and gas prices from each company for you.：
How do you read electricity meters in the UK? How to read an electricity meter?
There are four types of electricity meters in the UK: digital meter, electronic meter, dial meter, and smart meter.
To read an electricity meter in the UK, you need to follow different methods depending on the type of meter you have. There are four common types of electricity meters in the UK: digital meters, electronic meters, dial meters, and smart meters. Here's how to read each type:
Digital Meter: The digital meter displays the reading in numbers. To read it, simply write down the numbers shown on the screen from left to right, including any leading zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or any red numbers.
Electronic Meter: The electronic meter also displays the reading in numbers but may have multiple screens or buttons to toggle through different readings. Use the buttons to cycle through the available screens until you find the total energy usage reading. Record the numbers as with the digital meter.
Dial Meter: The dial meter consists of a series of rotating dials with numbers and pointers. To read it correctly, follow these steps:
Start with the dial on the left and record the number that the pointer has just passed.
Move to the next dial on the right and record the number that the pointer has just passed. Repeat this process for all the dials, moving from left to right.
If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number. If the pointer is directly on a number, check the dial to its right. If the pointer on the right dial has not passed zero, write down the lower number. If it has passed zero, write down the higher number.
Smart Meter: Smart meters have digital displays and can provide real-time information about energy usage. They automatically send readings to the energy supplier, eliminating the need for manual meter readings. However, you can still read the smart meter if you want to keep track of your usage. Press the appropriate button on the meter to cycle through the available screens and find the total energy usage reading. Note that the process may vary slightly depending on the specific model of the smart meter.
Remember to record the readings regularly or as required by your energy supplier to ensure accurate billing.
Digital Meter:
The image below shows a typical digital meter. To read it, simply write down the numbers from left to right, ignoring any red numbers or numbers surrounded by a red outline.
：
Source: EDFENERGY
If your electricity company offers you a lower off-peak electricity rate, such as ECO20:20 or Economy 7, your meter may have two rows of numbers, as shown in the image below.:
Source: EDFENERGY
If your meter has more than one row of numbers, like in the image above, write down all the numbers from left to right for each row, ignoring any red numbers or numbers surrounded by a red outline. Your previous meter reading on the bill will indicate which row represents the "day rate" and which row represents the "night rate."
Electronic meter
As shown in the image below, this is an electronic meter. Some electronic meters have a cycle display button that needs to be pressed to retrieve the readings. Others have an automatically scrolling display screen to show the readings.，
Source: EDFENERGY
For meters with two rows of numbers, write down all the digits displayed on each meter from left to right, ignoring any red numbers or numbers surrounded by a red outline. Read the numbers from left to right, disregarding the red ones.
Dial Meter:
As shown in the image below, this is a dial meter. Each dial rotates in the opposite direction to the one before it, indicated by the orange arrows. Before reading the meter, check the direction of the dials as they may not be exactly as described above. Each dial on the meter goes from 0 to 1, then to 9, and finally back to 0. In the example image, the reading from left to right on the dials is 44928, where the first dial represents 4, the second dial represents 4, the third dial represents 9, the fourth dial represents 2, the fifth dial represents 8, and the last dial is ignored.
Source: EDFENERGY
So, here's how to correctly read a dial meter:
Read the dials from left to right.
If the pointer is between two numbers, take the lower number. For example, if the pointer on the first dial is between 4 and 5, consider the lower number, which is 4.
If the pointer directly points to a number, write it down as it is. For example, if the pointer on the second dial points to 5, write down 5.
If the pointer is between 9 and 0, write down 9 and subtract 1 from the reading on the previous dial you have taken. For example, if you initially recorded 5, reduce it to 4.
Don't consider the rightmost dial, which is the last one.
In summary, regardless of the type of meter in the UK, it is important to regularly submit meter readings to your electricity company. This ensures that your electricity bill is not overestimated or affected by other issues.
Smart meter 智能电表
Source: EDFENERGY
Smart meters automatically send meter readings to you, so there is no need to manually read them.
How to pay gas bills in the UK?
Many electricity companies in the UK also provide gas services. Some houses in the UK may not have gas supply, but it is generally preferred to have gas for heating during the winter as relying solely on electricity can be expensive. The payment methods for gas bills are similar to those for electricity bills, as mentioned earlier. The comparison of prices for gas bills is also mentioned by the previous response regarding electricity bills.
So, how do you read a gas meter?
During my time in the UK, I noticed that many people are unsure of the location of their gas meters. You can inquire with your landlord or letting agent before moving in. Gas meters are typically found in the kitchen, hallway, cupboard, or electrical meter box. The exact location varies depending on the layout of each house.
There are generally three types of gas meters: dial meter, smart meter, and digital meter.
Dial meter 拨号气表
Source: EDFENERGY
The correct way to read a gas meter is as follows:
Read the dials from left to right.
If the pointer is between two numbers, always take the lower number.
If the pointer is between 9 and 0, write down 9.
Ignore red dials, dials marked with "100 per rev," and the largest dial.
Therefore, based on the numbers in the provided image, the reading on the dials is 6653.
Please note that each dial rotates in the opposite direction to the one before it. Before reading the meter, check the direction of the dials as it may not be exactly as described above. Each dial on the meter goes from 0 to 1, then to 9, and finally back to 0.
Digital meter 数字气表
Source: EDFENERGY
The correct way to read a digital gas meter is as follows:
Read the numbers from left to right, ignoring any red numbers displayed in the provided image.
Disregard any printed zeros.
Ignore any numbers after the decimal point.
Smart meter 智能气表
Source: EDFENERGY
Smart gas meters automatically send readings to you, so there is no need to manually read them.
Once again, Ten-Sheng Cat (the name mentioned in the text) reminds you that in the UK, after moving to a new house, you need to register again for water, electricity, and gas bills. The process and procedures are similar to what was mentioned above. The speed of bill delivery may be slow, usually taking several months to receive them, depending on the specific circumstances. Remember to ask your landlord or letting agent which water, electricity, and gas company is being used, whether it is possible to change the utility providers, and if the electricity and gas systems have valid safety inspection certificates. Also, inquire about the payment methods and any other important details to be aware of.
If you receive any outstanding bills for water, electricity, or gas in the house you are living in, there is no need to worry or explain it to the utility company directly. Simply provide the outstanding bill to the letting agent or landlord, indicating the date you moved in. This will determine the start date for your water, electricity, and gas charges.
Ten-Sheng Cat (the name mentioned in the text) specifically reminds you not to delay payment of outstanding debts. All energy companies have the authority to apply for compulsory payment through the court, which can result in your water, electricity, and gas bills doubling. These companies may also transfer your debt to a debt collection agency. For example, if you owe £1000 in electricity bills and have been delaying payment for one or two years, the power company may transfer this debt to a debt collection agency to urge you to repay it. Furthermore, this can negatively impact your personal credit, affecting future loan applications, visa applications, and more.
Always remember to take meter readings and photos before moving in and when moving out. When moving out, you also need to cancel all water, electricity, and gas accounts.
If you are sharing a rented property with several people and have a good relationship, you can confidently assign one person to handle the payment on behalf of everyone else. The other individuals can contribute their share of the expenses to that person each month. However, if your relationship is not good, you can register all the names of the occupants on the official website of the water, electricity, and gas companies, and each individual will receive their own bills. If the relationship is average or not good, or if you are living with the landlord, Ten-Sheng Cat suggests that you take meter readings every month.
In the UK, water, electricity, and gas bills can be adjusted based on actual usage. If you overpay, you can apply for a refund later. In such cases, it is possible that the landlord, letting agent, or person referred to as "A" might claim that the monthly water, electricity, and gas expenses are £100, and indeed, £1200 was paid for one year. However, if the actual water, electricity, and gas expenses for the year amount to £600, then the landlord, letting agent, or person referred to as "A" can apply for a refund of £600 after you move out or graduate.
Ten-Sheng Cat reminds you once again that if you find the cost of your water, electricity, or gas bills unusually high or if you believe you haven't consumed that much, make sure to take your own meter readings and inform the utility companies to have them send you revised bills. This is because the bills you receive from water, electricity, and gas companies are often estimated bills and may not reflect your actual usage.