As a student in the UK, managing your finances can be a challenge. One way to save money is by cutting down on your utility bills. Here are seven options to consider:
- Switch off standby: One of the easiest ways to save money on your energy bills is by switching off standby on your appliances when you’re not using them. By turning off standby mode, you can save around £65 per year, just remember to unplug the device or use power strips or timers to automatically turn off the appliances.
- Turn off lights: Another simple way to save money on your energy bills is by turning off lights when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This could save you around £25 per year on your energy bills.
- Careful with your washing: You can save around £34 per year on your energy bills by using your washing machine more carefully. Try using a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures, and reduce the number of times you use the washing machine by one run per week for a year.
- Avoid using a tumble dryer: Drying your clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather can save you £70 per year on your energy bills.
- Spend less time in the shower: Keep your shower time to just 4 minutes, which can save you £95 per year on your energy bills.
- Swap your bath for a shower: If you enjoy taking baths, consider swapping one bath a week with a 4-minute shower. This could save you £20 per year on your energy bills.
- Be savvy in the kitchen: Avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £13 per year on your electricity bill. Additionally, you can consider fitting an aerator onto your existing kitchen tap to reduce the amount of water coming out without affecting how it washes or rinses. This can save you £30 per year on water bills.
By following these tips, you can save money on your utility bills and make your student finances go further. Remember that small changes can make a big difference, and it’s important to also check for any discounts or special deals that may be available to you.
We are aware that as students you will currently be looking for accommodation for next Academic year. At Graysons Properties, our team would like to help you with some useful tips, which you can refer to when looking for your home for next year.
It is very important to be aware that although your weekly budget is important, it is not the only thing that matters! Your desired student accommodation not only needs to be competitively priced but also deliver high standards of living.
At Graysons Properties we believe in providing all our tenants with excellent properties at competitive prices.
It’s worth taking your time at viewings to look around the property and make sure everything is of a high standard. You might feel pressure to secure a house quickly but it pays off to be thorough when viewing the property.
Here is a list of essential questions worth asking when visiting a student property:
Safety and Security Features
- Does the property meet the necessary Fire Safety Standards? Is there a Mains Linked Fire Alarm, Fire Extinguishers and Blankets? Does the Landlord possess a Fire Safety Certificate?
- Does the gas boiler require a gas safety record which has been carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer? Check that the landlord possesses one.
- Properties with gas boilers require carbon monoxide detectors. Check that they are present and work.
- Is there a burglar alarm for the property? Are there any other forms of security in the property such as CCTV camera?
- Are there any signs of exposed electrical wiring such as loose wires, faulty plugs or lights?
- Are there suitable locks on the exterior doors of the property? What sort of lock system do the property and bedrooms have? Master lock systems have restricted keys which are more secure as they can not be copied.
- Where do you report a emergency? Does the landlord have an emergency line?
- How do you report maintenance issues?
Internal Features
- Are there signs of mould or damp?
- Is the property properly insulated?
- Are there locks on the bedroom doors?
- Do the kitchen appliances and white goods work properly? (Fridges, Washing Machine)
- Is there any mould around the windows?
If you become a tenant of Graysons Properties you can be reassured that we provide accommodation with our tenants safety and comfort in mind.
All our Properties:
- Meet Fire Safety and Electrical Safety Regulations. The Fire safety equipment is regularly maintained and tested. All certificates are available on request. All our properties have had Fire Risk Assessments undertaken.
- All our properties with Gas Boilers have up to date CP12 and working Carbon Monoxide detectors.
- All properties have double glazing for your security and we have a combination of burglar alarms and CCTV cameras. We provide a 24/7 Emergency line for all our tenants.
- All our properties either have master keys or key card systems. This means that no keys to our properties can be copied without our authorization.
- We have our very own dedicated property App for our properties where tenants can report any issues they are experiencing.
- All our properties have yearly maintenance plans to ensure that the standards of our properties remain amongst some of the best in the lettings industry.
At Graysons Properties, our team believes that for a new student moving to university, and for a young professional starting a new job, the additional responsibility that comes with running a household can be daunting. Having to provide for yourself, keep your surroundings clean and pay the bills on time can be overwhelming for anybody – especially for those who have never lived alone before.
What does all bills inclusive mean?
All bills Inclusive or Utilities included: “All bills inclusive” generally means that all of the utility costs are included in the rental fee amount. These utilities may include, but are not limited to, electricity costs, water usage and sewer costs, electric heating costs, natural gas heating costs and old heating costs. Graysons Properties will also include in their All Bills Inclusive Package, superfast broadband and a cleaning service. In addition some our student accommodations/flats/houses also benefit from a Sky package
In a national poll, 77% of all students said that a strong broadband connection is essential item as part of their bills inclusive package for their student accommodation. You will be pleased to know that at Graysons Properties the following properties benefit from a dedicated 1GB Fibre line,as part of the bills inclusive; City View Jesmond Newcastle, City View@ Phoenix House Sunderland and City View @ Thornhill Crescent Sunderland. Our Leazes Terrace Accommodation in the heart of Newcastle City Centre benefits from a 2GB fibre line.
A national research conducted by Accommodation for Students, of their respondents, a staggering 70% consider a bills inclusive rent package important. 90% of Graysons Properties accommodation for students and professionals in Newcastle and Sunderland ,provide bills inclusive packages. Meanwhile, student advice sites such as Save the Student are actively recommending that new tenants try to negotiate bills as part of the rent.
The benefits to student and professional tenants
- Simplicity
- Ease of use
- Budget
Setting up utilities contracts is a can be a frustrating experience, especially if you never had to do it before. Working out how to split the bills is a good way to stir up arguments between housemates.
Having bills included, eliminates these possible points of discord. Instead, by offering a bills-inclusive rent package Graysons Properties are giving their student and professional tenants a much easier way of managing their money. You also have the peace of mind that utility payments are under control.
Research by Natwest, suggests that just under a third of students don’t actively budget. While half of students, find having to manage their budget, adds to the stress of living away from home.
A Graysons Properties bills inclusive rent package helps with budgeting and reduces the stress of having to manage money.
Are you looking for a Bills Inclusive Package for your new Student Accommodation/Flat/House in Newcastle or Sunderland?
Contact our Team at Graysons Properties and live in one of our luxury student accommodations/flats/houses (suitable for professionals) in either Sunderland or Newcastle
Christmas & New Year’s Day opening times announcement for our Newcastle offices:
Monday 23rd December 2019: 09:00-12:00
Tuesday 24th December 2019: CLOSED
Wednesday 25th December 2019: CLOSED
Thursday 26th December 2019: CLOSED
Friday 27th December 2019: CLOSED
Saturday 28th December 2019: CLOSED
Sunday 29th December 2019: CLOSED
Monday 30th December 2019: CLOSED
Tuesday 31st December 2019: CLOSED
Wednesday 1st January 2020: CLOSED
Thursday 2nd January 2020: 09:00-17:00 [normal office hours resume]
Have a wonderful time!
Graysons Properties Team
Living with Graysons Properties in Sunderland Student Accommodation in a city like Sunderland, provides an amazing experience. Graysons Properties know moving away to university is one of the biggest and most exciting decisions you’ll ever make, and you’ll find a home from home at Sunderland with Graysons Properties.
Graysons Properties offer a great choice of Sunderland City Centre Student Accommodation for you to choose from and our rent prices include heating, lighting, water, fuel, Wi-Fi and complimentary cleaning. By living in one of our Student Accommodation you can take comfort from the fact the we are always there to help. Graysons Properties have a dedicated 24/7 Emergency Line and an Interactive Property App to communicate with the office. Some of our Properties also have complimentary sky packages.
All of our Sunderland Student Accommodation is self-catered, with fully equipped kitchens and on-site laundry facilities. We understand the importance of having a reliable and fast internet connection. Our City View Phoenix House and City View Thornhill Properties are well equipped with WiFi and Hard Wired Ethernet Connections. City View @ Phoenix House has its very own dedicated 1GB Fibre line
Fantastic locations
Our City Centre Sunderland Student Accommodations are within a short distance walk of the two Sunderland University Campuses. Graysons Properties offers a range of student properties and can help cater for students on various budgets. We have Sunderland Student Accommodation ranging from as little as £72 per person per week. Our Deluxe Sunderland Student Accommodation include properties City View @ Thornill and City View @ Phoenix House. You can find a double ensuite bedroom in these properties from as little as £90 per person per week.
Living with other students is a great way to meet new people, and each of our Sunderland Student Accommodation residences provides you with the perfect opportunity to make friends with people from around the world. You’ll have the option to choose who you want to live with, whether that’s with friends you already know, or we can find a room for you in one of our mixed or single gender apartments. If you have your prefer your own personal space you can choose one of our Deluxe Studio Apartments. We also have couples’ accommodation available if you’re coming to the University with your partner. Our Penthouse Studio apartments @ Phoenix House have been specifically designed with couples in mind
Student Accommodation in Sunderland
If you are interested in viewing one of our accommodations then please call the office on 0191 2600 680 or email on enquiries@graysonsproperties.co.uk
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/GraysonsPropertiesTeam/ and look out for our latest offers!!
If you are looking for student flats or apartments in Sunderland – Graysons Properties provide a wide selection to let. Very modern, high quality, clean, well-equipped, competitive priced and central to both the Sunderland University and main transport (metro, buses & rail) links.
You deserve the best:
– no deposit*
– all bills included
– very fast fibre optic broadband
– movie & sport package
– cleaner services
– 24/7 emergency & maintenance cover
– 24/7 CCTV security
Our student flats and apartments in Sunderland
– City View at Phoenix House
– Sunderland City Centre Properties
– City View at Thornhill Crescent
If you are new to Sunderland Universities and you are looking for a flat, let Graysons Properties help you today! Check our website, where we have a wide selection of student flats, houses and rooms to rent in Sunderland.
For more information, please feel free to contact us and one of our professionals on 0191 260 0680.
Would you like to be among the first to get the latest student rooms/flats update? Please, like our Facebook page: facebook.com/GraysonsPropertiesTeam/
Permitted payments
Before the tenancy starts (payable to Graysons Properties Ltd ‘the Agent’)
Holding Deposit: 1 week’s rent which will be paid towards your first rent.
Deposit: minimum of £350 and maximum of five weeks rent, No deposit required if UK based guarantor (need to be in employment and possibly a homeowner)
During the tenancy (payable to the Agent)
For English properties:
Payment of £50.00 if you want to change the tenancy agreement
Payment of interest for the late payment of rent (any rent payments that are 14 days late unless an agreement is in place) at a rate of 3% plus Bank of England base interest rate on that day.
Payment of £18.00 for the reasonably incurred costs for the loss of keys or key card.
Payment of any unpaid rent or other reasonable costs associated with your early termination of the tenancy
During the tenancy (payable to the provider) if permitted and applicable
Utilities – gas, electricity, water
Communications – telephone and broadband
Installation of cable/satellite
Subscription to cable/satellite supplier
Television Licence
Council Tax
Tenant protection
Graysons Properties Ltd is a member of Client Money Protect, membership number CMP005701 which is a client money protection scheme, and also a member of The Property Ombudsman, membership number D11919 which is a redress scheme.