Student Housing 2026 - How to Sort Your Utility Bills?

What to Do When You Move In?

Congratulations! You have managed to find some good student housing and it is now time to move in. Apart from the hardy task of packing and unpacking your things, there are tons of other items you will need to look after as soon as you settle into your new home, specifically:

1. Register for a broadband plan.
2. Register for your electricity and gas bills.
3. Register for your water consumption.
4. Set up a bin collection account.
5. Make sure you have a TV licence.

These aren't fun things to set up, we know. Unfortunately, they are inevitable items to look after when renting a home as your landlord will not be paying these utility bills for you.

We break down each item in detail below so that you know how to set these up and save along the way! Your monthly rent is surely high enough as it is, you do not want to pay more than necessary on your utility bills.

Register with a Broadband Provider

Unless you plan to continually use your phone's data or 5G, you and your flatmates will want to register for a broadband plan.

As setting this up can sometimes take a few weeks, you will want to call about this before moving in so you aren't left without connectivity for those first few days of school.

There are two drawbacks to internet plans in Ireland that you need to keep in mind when signing up for broadband:

• Most broadband providers only offer 12-month contracts, which isn't ideal for students who aren't staying for the entire calendar year.
• The internet speed you will receive depends on the cables that lead to the home you are renting. Every provider will connect to the same cable. Consequently, if you don't happen to live in a place with high-speed internet, it doesn't matter which company you sign up with, you will not have a fast connection.

How to Choose a Broadband Provider for Your Student Housing?

The easiest way to register is to compare the market. Here are some of the factors and questions you want to examine before choosing a company to work with:

• What are the customer reviews for the company? Are these positive or negative?
• Is there permanency for the plan? If so, can you take the plan with you if you move before the end of the contract?
• How much is the monthly cost? Are there any extras included with the plan such as TV channels, Netflix, or Prime Video?
• What are the maximum internet speeds promised?
• Is there an installation fee or does it come included?

Register for Your Electricity and Gas

Once you have your broadband plan selected, the next items to look after are your electricity and gas bills. This is a little more complex than the internet but, we go through everything you need to know here.

As soon as you move into your new student housing, the first thing you will want to do is ensure you will not be paying for the previous tenant's bills! Although your landlord should have looked after this for you, it is unfortunately not always the case. Here is what you need to do and avoid paying more than you should:

1. Locate the electricity and gas meter. If you are renting a house, most energy meters will be located in a box on the outside of the home. If you are in an apartment complex, these can be in a utility room.
2. Determine the type of meter it is. There are four types of meters in Ireland: pay-as-you-go, smart meters, nightsavers, and credit meters. Typically, pay-as-you-go meters are the most expensive way to pay for electricity.
3. Take a photo of the meter reading. Ideally, you do this before you turn on any lights in your home! Most energy providers will accept a photo of the meter reading with a newspaper displaying your move-in date next to the meter in the photo.
4. Contact the existing provider. Once you have the meter reading and photo taken, you will want to contact the existing energy provider and give them the number displayed on the meter.
5. Compare the market. Regardless of who the existing provider is and the type of meter installed, you are under no obligation to stay with this company. The Irish energy market is a free market and prices can vary greatly between companies.
6. Register with an energy provider. Once you have looked at what is available for energy plans, you will need to register and open an account in your name with one of these companies.

Register for Your Water Consumption

Although there are no general domestic water charges in Ireland, you still need to register with the national water utility when you move into a new property.

Uisce Eireann (formerly Irish Water) is the entity which handles water services in the Republic. As a new tenant, you will need to register an account with them when you move into the property. You can do so online or by calling them at 1800 278 278, representatives are available 24/7, 365 days of the year.

You will need to provide the following information when registering:

• Your full name
• The address of the student housing you are moving into
• Your contact information
• Your Uisce Eireann account number (if applicable)

Will I be charged for water usage?

No. While an "excessive water usage" charge was legislated for in 2018, it has never been enforced. The Government has confirmed it is not implementing these charges, so you will not be billed for domestic water use. You should still register with Uisce Eireann so they can manage services at your property.

Register for Your Bin Collection

In Ireland, the collection of your household waste is managed by the private sector. Although most citizens are unaware, the collecting of your bins is an open market in Ireland, exactly like the energy and broadband sectors.

Bin colour coding:

• Brown bins: These are for organic waste and composting.
• Green bins: For recycling material
• Black bins: For all other general waste.

Register for a TV Licence

Even if you plan to only watch programmes on Netflix or online, every home in Ireland with the capability of receiving a TV signal needs to register for a TV licence.

Failing to do so can result in a fine between €1,000 to €2,000. Since a licence only costs €160 per year, it is easiest to avoid the risk and simply register.

An Post handles the payment of the licence which can be made by the following methods:

1. In-Person at your local An Post office.
2. Calling An Post at 01 705 8800. Credit or debit card payments accepted over the phone.
3. By mail and sent to the nearest Records Office.
4. Online by credit card only.

Student Housing Types

On-campus accommodation

This type is particularly suitable for first-year students who may be unused to living away from home, and are unfamiliar with the area surrounding their university of choice. On-campus housing has many advantages such as:

• Your student energy bills tend to be included in the set fee you pay for your rent.
• Being on campus lowers your transportation costs and eases access to your classes
• Student housing is often filled with social activities. This makes it easier to create new friendships, especially in that first year.
• Being on campus also makes assistance and help easier to access.

Off-campus accommodation

If you decide to live off-campus, there are little chances that your utility bills will be included in your rent. In this case, you'll need to be on the ball and follow the above-mentioned steps and shop for student discounts when possible.

There are advantages of selecting off-campus housing, these are:

• Better separation of social and school life
• Easier access to a part-time job to help make ends meet
• Easy access to nightlife
• Fewer distractions compared to on-campus life

Frequently Asked Questions About Student Utility Bills