University-goers will want to enjoy their social and free-time as much as possible, but the harmony within accommodation for students may be put in jeopardy if bills go unpaid.
Those undergraduates who have some experience of independent living and managing their finances will be aware of the importance of paying service charges on time. On the other hand there may be some students who fail to budget, which can lead to electricity and phone lines being cut off if bills go unpaid.
This is very likely to cause discord in houses for students, as those who contribute their share of the fees feel they are being penalised by those who do not.
One way to prevent this outcome occurring is to change the company providing the service. Private firms compete with each other to supply the cheapest electricity and gas. This gives undergraduates the opportunity to find the most affordable rates, which could make it easier for those on low incomes to pay them. Reducing phone bills may be possible by relying on internet technology to make calls and renters may like to check the insulation offered by properties before moving in to ensure they will not need round-the-clock heating to keep them warm in colder weather.
Another option is to request that all the names of tenants in a shared house are placed on the bills, rather than just one. In this instance, it is less likely that the responsibility of tracking down the missing cash falls on one person. Concerned tenants who worry they may end up sharing a home with a tenant who may have trouble paying their rent ought to look at the small-print of their contracts.
Joint tenancy agreements generally mean that all the people sharing the specified accommodation for students will be responsible for rent payments and the landlord may ask other tenants to pay them if one housemate fails to uphold their contract. To avoid this, students could opt for an individual tenancy whereby they will only be responsible for their share of the bills.
Martin Wynn
