Money saving tips: Accommodation & bills

From buying second-hand to reducing your subscriptions, here are some top tips for keeping your bills and accommodation costs down. 

• Be savvy with your energy usage: While we're dealing with the rising cost of living, it makes sense to keep an eye on how much energy you're using. Save The Student have compiled a comprehensive list of ways you can save energy and cut down your bills. 
• Get your Council Tax discount: Any household occupied exclusively by full-time students will qualify for a full council tax exemption. There is no age limit to this policy, so full-time mature students are covered too. Read more about who is and who isn't eligible for a discount here. 
• Make sure you're not wasting water: Save The Student has come up with 12 simple ways to reduce your water bill, from reducing your shower time to bagging some cool water-saving freebies. 
• Get a refund for your TV licence: Paying your annual TV Licence in one lump sum is not fun. And this is especially true for students who often only need one for only part of the year. But, the good news is, you can apply for a TV Licence refund for the months you're not using it. Claim your refund here. 
• Review your subscriptions and memberships: As convenient as they are, it’s no secret that subscription services can quickly add up. Take a moment to add up how much your memberships are costing you, decide whether there's anything you can live without having, or look at options for sharing subscriptions with your housemates. Be careful not to fall victim to unexpected charges after free trials as well. 
• Share costs with the people you're living with: This might include things like the food shop, subscriptions or buying things for the house like furniture or utensils. 
• Buy second-hand: Need a new lamp for your bedroom, or a toaster for the kitchen? Always browse places eBay, Gumtree, Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace before looking at brand-new items. 
• Student Discounts: Whether you're purchasing some pots and pans or renewing your Spotify subscription, always check whether a student discount is available. 
• Know your rental rights: If you're a student the likelihood is you're renting (and relatively new to it too). It's important you know your rights in private accommodation to make sure you don't get taken advantage of. A key thing is to make sure your deposit is protected. Landlords have 30 days from receiving your deposit to put it into a tenancy deposit protection scheme (where it stays in case of a dispute when you leave). If they fail to do this you could be entitled to up to four times back. 
• Check what financial support is available: If you're worried about how you'll pay your bills and other outgoings, there is financial help available specifically for students. Check with your suppliers if any grants or alternative payment plans are available. Here's some more advice from Money Saving Expert. 
• Consider your budget when you're applying for university accommodation: When you apply for university accommodation, you'll be asked to rank our options in order of preference. To keep costs down, you might want to select cheaper shared room options as your preferred choice. (Bear in mind, you are not guaranteed to be offered your top choice.)