Fair Usage Policy.


The utilities of gas , electric , water , broadband and council tax are included in your rent.

There is a figure attached to gas and electric that is fair and expected for the size of property and the number of occupants in each property. If the usage of gas and electric far exceeds the threshold amount that is deemed fair and average by the energy companies for each property then there may be a supplementary charge to each tenant in-situ during the time of the excess usage.

The list below will be updated in line with utility price rises where relevant, and will be referenced based on an average of the information found on the websites of British Gas, EDF and OFGEM to provide a fair and accurate costing to the usage. The maximum usage allowed per annum is shown below. If the tenancy agreement is less than a year, these figures will apply on a pro-rata basis.

Annual Allowance for Energy per Premises in kwh and also £GBP Calculated with a daily standing charge of £0.46p for electric and £0.10p for gas included in the annual £GBP figures:

1-2 Occupants: Gas 8000kwh / £903 - Electric 1800kwh / £779.90
3-4 Occupants: Gas 12000kwh / £1302 - Electric 2900kwh / £1153.90
5-6 Occupants: Gas 17000kwh / £1802 - Electric 4300kwh / £1586.1
6-8 Occupants: Gas 21000kwh / £2202 - Electric 5700kwh / £2105.90
9-11 Occupants: Gas 25000kwh / £2500 - Electric 7100kwh / £2581.90

( Last edited December 2022 to reflect new energy costs) 

There are ways to ensure the energy usage is kept within reasonable levels:

1) Unplug items when not in use, including standby items.

2) The heating should not be on 24/7, If you feel there may be a problem then routinely check the thermostat or boiler controls and see if it has been set to constant or is showing as permanently on, adjust this if possible or contact us to have the heating controls re-set.

3) Make sure the heating is switched off during the warmer months.

4) Living in the property means you do have a responsibility to help manage this and could be deemed partly responsible if excessive bills start coming in, we would of course like to avoid this whenever possible.

5) If you find that someone else is putting the heating on constantly which is causing excessive usage, then let us know and we will address this issue.

6) Just be generally aware that having something switched on or running will cost money, so anything that isn’t being used can be turned off to save power whenever possible.

7) If you spot that there may be an issue then let us know and we will do what we can to help resolve it.

8) Fan or convection heaters are prohibited for use in all of our properties due to their excessive usage of electricity and the potential fire hazard they present. If such heaters are present in a room the occupant may be expected to pay the costs of any excess electricity usage based on an average kwh of the appliance. For example a 2kwh heater will cost approx 0.68p an hour to run so this could easily incur high charges without realising. 

9) Thermostats should be set a reasonable level, between 18 and 21.5 is considered a comfortable temperature and this would normally be lower during the night.

10) Please ensure you have a high tog duvet during winter , 13.5 - 15 is recommended and if there are any small gaps under your door that may be letting in a draught then purchasing a draft excluder may be appropriate depending on your personal comfort levels. Everyone has differing personal comfort levels so please consider this when living in shared accommodation, sometimes a discussion with the other occupants may be required to agree on desired temperatures or timings.