Rent with all bills included- how much to budget for gas and elec?

[sh77]

I will be renting my house to 6 students. It is easier for me to have all bills included subject to fair use policy. Please could you advise how much I should budget for gas and elec?

[mind the gap]

I will be renting my house to 6 students. It is easier for me to have all bills included subject to fair use policy. Please could you advise how much I should budget for gas and elec?
Are you letting to them on six separate ASTs or on one joint one?

[sh77]

6 separate ones. Is that a problem? They have signed 12 month contracts and i have 6 weeks deposits

[mind the gap]

6 separate ones. Is that a problem? They have signed 12 month contracts and i have 6 weeks deposits

It is a not a problem except in that there is no fair, practical way of making them pay individually for their energy usage (even if they all have meters in their rooms, there is still the question of usage of gas/elec in the communal areas, which cannot be apportioned). So yes, you should factor in the gas/elec, water rates and Council Tax and set the rent accordingly.

I don't know how useful this is, but in our 6 bed. student house (which is let on a joint contract), they allow £10 per person per week to cover gas, elec, Virgin Media phone line, broadband and TV, water rates (but not CT as they are exempt). Your problem will be the age-old one of getting them to be responsible about energy usage when it doesn't cost them any more however much they use. Some LLs have tried using incentives such as allowing them a certain number of units 'free' (i.e. included in rent) but charging them (collectively) a surcharge if they exceed that. I do not however know whether that is legal/enforceable when they are on separate contracts, though.

What is the EPC rating of your student property?

[Rodent1]

I have several prop that i let out on this basis - I allow (for this next year)

£1500 gas £1000 for lecky ....all rooms have le bulbs, all common areas have occ sensors on lights, thermosatic rad valves, dg, loft insulation, a rated boilers etc

I hope to see some change !!!

[mind the gap]

I have several prop that i let out on this basis - I allow (for this next year)

£1500 gas £1000 for lecky ....all rooms have le bulbs, all common areas have occ sensors on lights, thermosatic rad valves, dg, loft insulation, a rated boilers etc

I hope to see some change !!!

Presumably those amounts are per property, not per individual tenant?

[nickwilkinson]

I charge £55 each per month to include council tax, gas, elec and broadband(but not phone - everyone has mobiles) for a 3 bed. Without council tax it would be about £25 each, i.e. £75 for the whole 3 bed property.

So far the tenants haven't abused it. the broadband is an unlimited tariff, and there's only so much gas and elec you can use!

[Rodent1]

Presumably those amounts are per property, not per individual tenant?
Yes per prop !

[mind the gap]

Yes per prop !

That's a relief! I didn't think even you could be that greedy:(think):

[sh77]

Thanks for the really useful advice. I have decided to budget £60/person for the bills. If energy comes under budget, will refund.

Does anyone know if students are entitled to the energy saving grants without having to make any contribution?