Cost of living
With rising energy prices, the current cost of living is going up and students sadly are not immune to this.
Chester Students’ Union has become aware that some letting agents may be trying to alter the terms of your current tenancy agreement. A tenancy agreement can normally only be changed if both you and your landlord agree. If you both agree, the change should be recorded in writing, either by drawing up a newly written document setting out the terms of the tenancy or by amending the existing written tenancy agreement.
This change may be prompted due to rising energy bills. If this is the case the letting agents may be suggesting that you agree to a usage cap that will be included in your rent and anything over that you would be liable for.
We have created a table to show the average energy usage for different households. We recommend that if a letting agent wishes to change to the contract then its done by usage rather than cost.
|
House Size
|
Electricity average Per year |
Gas Average per year |
|
Small 1-2 People
|
8,000 kWh
|
1,800 kWh |
|
Medium 3-4 People
|
12,000 kWh |
2,900 kWh |
|
Large 4-5
|
17,000 kWh |
4,300 kWh |
*Figures taken from British Gas after 1st of October 2022
Breaking down the numbers
Based on the above tables a student house of 4-5 people on average would cost:
£140.05 per week spilt between 5 people - the cost per week for gas and electricity would be £28 per person.
Based on this information if a letting agent/Landlord is requesting that your contract is amended then our advice is this:
- Do not sign if you are unsure
- Ask for the average usage of the house including seeing the latest meter reading
- Ask the letting agent/Landlord if the government energy support scheme is being passed onto you.
- Agree with your housemates to limit usage where possible
- Contracts may have clauses in stating that you can be charged more for unreasonable usage. Use the above tables to work out the national average usage. GO ON USAGE NOT COST.
