Settling into your new home and paying your bills

Setting Up Bills, Council Tax, and TV Licence

Congratulations on your new home! Once you collect your keys from the Bee City Living office, your tenancy officially begins. Along with the excitement of moving in comes the responsibility of setting up your household accounts.

💰 What You Can Expect to Pay For

As a tenant in the UK, your standard monthly household bills will typically include:

Energy (Electricity & Gas): For heating, hot water, lights, and appliances.
Council Tax: A mandatory local authority fee based on your property's value.
Water & Sewerage: For your clean water supply and wastewater removal.
Broadband & Media: For your internet connection and TV packages.
TV Licence: A statutory fee required if you watch live broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer.

Your financial billing liability starts on the exact day your contract begins (your key handover day). It is your responsibility to register with these providers immediately to ensure your accounts are accurate and to avoid standard-rate penalties.

📋 Before You Start: Your Move-In Inventory Report

To set up your utility accounts correctly, providers will ask you for your opening readings and your Meter Serial Number (MSN). You do not need to search through locked communal cupboards to find these!

Check Your Email: On your move-in day, we will send you an invitation to view your official Move-In Inventory Report via InventoryHive.co.uk.
What is in the Report: This document contains date-stamped, photographic proof of your exact opening meter readings taken by our team right before we handed over your keys. It also lists the unique MSN for your electricity, gas, and water meters.
Why the MSN matters: Energy and water companies use this number to verify they are linking your new account to the exact physical meter for your specific flat, rather than billing you for a neighbour’s property.

⚡ Step 1: Gas & Electricity (Energy Accounts)

When you move in, the energy supply to the property is already active under a default "standing supplier" chosen by the previous occupant. You will not be cut off, but you must register the change of occupant straight away.

Gather Your Details: Open your Inventory Hive report to find the initial readings and MSN for your meters.
Contact the Supplier: Find out who the current supplier is (if you are unsure, ask our team) and contact them to open a brand-new account in the names of all adult occupants. Give them your move-in date, the MSN, and the opening readings from your report.
Shop Around: Once your account is open, you are free to switch to any energy provider or tariff you choose (such as Octopus Energy or British Gas). You do not need our permission to change suppliers, but you must not switch to a prepayment meter without written authorisation from us.

🏛️ Step 2: Council Tax

Council Tax is a mandatory monthly fee paid to the local authority to fund public services like waste collection and emergency services. Your property falls within either Manchester City Council or Salford City Council. You must register with them online within your first week.

For Full-Time Students: Students are entirely exempt from paying Council Tax, but the exemption is not automatic. You must download a "Student Council Tax Exemption Certificate" from your university portal and upload it directly to your local council's online portal to pause billing.
Single Occupant Discount: If you are living completely alone on a single agreement, you are legally entitled to a 25% Single Person Discount. Make sure to tick this option when registering on the council website.
Shared Households (Joint Tenancies): If you are in a house share, all named tenants are "jointly and severally liable" for the bill. The account should be set up with all housemates' names listed.

💧 Step 3: Water

Water supply in Greater Manchester is managed exclusively by United Utilities. Unlike energy, you cannot switch water providers.

Open your Inventory Hive report to find your opening water meter reading and water MSN.
Visit the United Utilities website on your move-in day to register your new address, input your opening report details, and set up a monthly payment plan.

🌐 Step 4: Wi-Fi, Broadband & Media

You are free to choose any broadband provider that services your building (such as Virgin Media, Hyperoptic, BT, or Sky).

Check the Infrastructure: Some modern apartment buildings feature dedicated fibre networks. Check the wall sockets in your living room or look inside your utility cupboard to see which routers or providers are already pre-installed for your specific block.
Installation Restrictions: If an internet provider needs to drill physical holes through an external wall or mount a satellite dish to install a line, you must get written permission from Bee City Living first, as this may breach the building's head-lease terms.

📺 Step 5: TV Licence

In the UK, you legally must be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record live TV programmes on any channel (including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, etc.) or use BBC iPlayer. This applies whether you are watching on a traditional television, a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet.

Is it required for streaming? You do not need a TV Licence if you only watch on-demand streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube (excluding live broadcasts).
How to buy: You can purchase a licence online annually or set up a monthly direct debit at the official TV Licensing website.

💡 Summary Checklist for Move-In Week

Review your Inventory Hive report for your opening readings and MSNs.
Contact the active energy provider with your opening details to start your account.
Register for Council Tax online (or upload your Student Exemption Certificate).
Register with United Utilities for your water supply using your report data.
Order your Wi-Fi router or broadband installation.

Need help finding your meters or suppliers?

If you are having trouble locating your electricity cupboard, water stopcock, or identifying who the current utility providers are for your flat, please do not guess! Drop our team an email or give us a quick call.

📧 Email: hello@beecityliving.co.uk
📞 Phone: 0161 211 3908