How do all-inclusive bills work at iQ?

The transition from home to student living can feel complicated. A common pain point for a lot of students adapting to a new way of living is navigating the world of bills and utilities. Bills can be simpler than you think. We break down everything you need to know about student bills, and how you can live easier with all-inclusive bills at iQ.

 

What is all-inclusive student living?

All-inclusive living means that your bills and core amenities are included in your housing costs. It means you’ll know exactly how much you’ll pay for your bills from the get-go, leaving no surprises once you’ve settled in. Everything is handled for you, so you simply need to make your rent payments to receive your services. This differs from how bills work in a house share where you need to organise water, broadband, gas and electricity bills among yourselves.

 

Which utilities and amenities are covered in all-inclusive bills?

At iQ, our all-inclusive student bills cover:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• WiFi

On top of this, contents insurance is also included for iQ residents, giving peace of mind over the safety of your belongings.

 

When do I pay for my student bills?

Your bills will be included in your price-per-week rent at iQ, so you’ll pay for all your student living needs as one bundled payment. With all bills included, there’s no worrying about multiple payments dates or direct debits coming out of your account.

 

Will my bills increase in price through the year?

No, your student bills will not increase in price as your tenancy progresses. The initial prices that you subscribe to for your accommodation will remain the same for your agreed residency. Fixed bill prices help you to avoid the negative impact of price surges, so you know exactly how much you’ll spend on bills regardless of how any markets change. If gas and electricity costs rise, you won’t be impacted by this and your monthly energy bill will remain the same as packaged in your rent.

 

Do all student living options provide all-inclusive bills?

No, not all student living options provide all-inclusive bills. Privately rented housing, also known as HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation), typically does not include bills in rent prices, meaning that student residents will need to organise their bills between them.

Want to live with friends? At iQ, you can organise to live in a flat with friends of your choosing and have the luxury of all-inclusive bills. It’s a win-win. Bills are automatically split between a flat and included in your weekly rent prices to make the process as easy as possible.

 

Do all-inclusive bills include council tax?

Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax, so you won’t have to pay anything at all. This is only the case when you’re living alongside other full-time students, so be wary about this if you’re considering a private housing option.  

 

Do all-inclusive bills include a TV licence?

TVs provided by iQ in areas accessible to all residents are covered by a TV Licence. However, if you choose to bring your own TV or if there is a TV in your shared kitchen and living area, then you’ll need to purchase your own licence. TV licences cover a full year, so you may be due some money back if you move out before 12 months are up.

 

Do I need to set up my bills?

No, when you opt for all-inclusive student bills, everything is sorted for you. A long as you pay your rent on time, iQ will handle the rest.

 

What are the benefits of all-inclusive bills?

In general, all-inclusive bills offer a much more convenient option for purchasing your utilities.

By only having to make one combined payment, there’s no need to juggle different dates or worry about splitting bills with others. You may notice a lot of differences when choosing between purpose-built student accommodation like iQ and a house share. But by far the biggest difference is that you don’t have to rely on others when it comes to splitting and paying the bills – something that can create quite a headache when you’re dealing with difficult housemates.  

A single payment for your rent and bills also makes it much easier for you to budget your money. You’ll know exactly how much you’re spending on rent and bills each week, allowing you to come up with a detailed plan of how you’re going to manage your cash.  

Because all-inclusive bills are fixed price at iQ, you can also enjoy the comfort of knowing that the prices you signed up for are the prices you commit to for the long run. There’ll be no price hikes or surprises down the line. What you sign up for is what you get.  

On top of that, all-inclusive bills can save you time on shopping around for deals in saturated markets. No dealing with brokers, no dealing with suppliers, and no need to brush up on knowing whatever kilowatts and MPANs are.

 

Are there any downsides to all-inclusive bills?

The stress-relieving benefits of all-inclusive bills far outweigh any downsides. 

Still, all-inclusive bills might not be the option for someone who wants to have total control over who their suppliers are.

Unfortunately, all-inclusive bills mean that there’s no cost benefit to saving water and being energy efficient – though the positive impact on the environment remains the same.

As you can’t choose your own tariffs, all-inclusive bills may be more expensive. However, if there are fluctuations in the energy or water market, then fixed all-inclusive bills help you to avoid that.

 

What is non-inclusive student living?

Non-inclusive student living is the opposite of all-inclusive living. It means that your bills are not included in your rent and you’ll have to make separate payments for these services. It may also mean that you’ll have to choose your own services and secure your own contracts from a range of suppliers in multiple areas. If you don’t have the right knowledge, this may prove to be difficult.

 

What are the benefits of non-inclusive bills?

If you opt for a student accommodation option with non-inclusive bills, you may be able to source a cheaper deal if you shop around.

You could also have more control over who you buy your utilities from, a benefit if you have preference for a certain supplier.

 

What are the downsides to non-inclusive bills?

Unlike fixed all-inclusive bills, non-inclusive bills can leave you vulnerable to the negative impact of a price surge in the market. If wholesale energy prices become more expensive, you’ll see your energy bills increase as the markup is passed onto you.

Shopping for the right deal can be time consuming, especially if you don’t have any knowledge in certain markets. Broadband, in particular, can be a pain as you’ll have to compare speeds, packages, and benefits across suppliers.

As your bills aren’t combined, you’ll need to make payments at different times. That could be different times of the month or even vary by monthly and quarterly payments, making it more difficult to keep up with your bills. If you end up with forgetful flatmates, non-inclusive bills can be the source of arguments when chasing friends or making late payments.

 

What’s the difference between all-inclusive bills and student bill packages?

All-inclusive bills are bought alongside your rent with us at iQ.

Student bill packages offer a similar all-in-one payment for your bills, but work through a third party and are separate from your rent. So, while student bill packages can be an easy option for students living in private housing, all-inclusive bills remain the most convenient option.

 

Should I opt for all-inclusive, non-inclusive or packaged student bills?

If you’re after the easiest, most secure option, then all-inclusive bills built into your weekly rent are the best choice. This is the most convenient, straightforward way to pay.

If you’re after some control over your bills as well as a convenient way to pay, then student bill packages can offer you a balance of ease and control.

If you’re looking to have the most control over your bills, non-inclusive bills will allow you to choose what you buy and from where.

The choice is up to you, but if you weigh up the stress of moving out and transitioning into a new style of living, then convenience is most likely to be your best friend.