I want to give you real, current figures here, because energy costs specifically have shifted meaningfully over the past year, and I think it's worth anchoring your budget to what's actually happening right now rather than an outdated estimate.
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Why I'd Tell You This Number Has Moved Recently
I'd flag this directly: Ofgem's energy price cap is rising by around 13% from 1 July 2026, driven by higher wholesale gas prices. For a typical household paying by direct debit, that takes the annual energy bill to £1,862 from 1 July to 30 September 2026, an increase of £221. I'd tell you this matters directly to your budget, since this is the figure right now, not last year's.
What This Means for Electricity and Gas in a Shared House
That £1,862 figure is for a single typical household, but a student shared house often uses somewhat more total energy than that baseline, simply because there are more people in the property. For a three or four-person shared house, I'd budget the household's total annual gas and electricity at roughly £2,200 to £2,800, which works out to roughly £45 to £60 per person per month on average across the year, though I'd want you to know this swings considerably by season, with winter months running meaningfully higher than summer.
Water
I'd budget £25 to £40 per month for a household's water bill, working out to roughly £6 to £12 per person when split across three or four housemates. Some areas have water meters, which can push this up or down depending on actual usage, so I'd check with your specific water company for your postcode.
Broadband
I'd budget £30 to £50 per month for a standard household broadband package, splitting to roughly £8 to £15 per person. I'd recommend checking whether your accommodation already has broadband included before setting up a new contract, since duplicating this is a genuinely common and avoidable waste of money.
Council Tax
As a full-time student, I'd tell you that you're exempt from council tax, so this shouldn't appear in your budget at all, but I'd remind you to actually apply for the exemption rather than assuming it happens automatically.
TV License
I'd flag this one specifically because it's often forgotten: if anyone in your household watches or streams live TV or uses BBC iPlayer, you need a TV license, currently costing a set annual fee that I'd budget at roughly £14 to £15 per month if split across a household, less per person if you're sharing with several housemates.
My Total Monthly Bills Estimate for You
| Bill | Per Household (Monthly) | Per Person (3–4 sharing) |
| Electricity & gas (annual average) | £185-£235 | £45-£60 |
| Water | £25-£40 | £6-£12 |
| Broadband | £30-£50 | £8-£15 |
| TV Licence (if needed) | ~£14 | £4-£5 |
| Total (per person, monthly) | - | £63-£92 |
What I'd Want You to Do With This Information
I'd build your monthly budget around the higher end of this range, particularly if you're moving in for a September start, since your first proper winter bill will land in this property before your tenancy ends. I'd also genuinely recommend comparing energy suppliers if your contract allows it, since switching can meaningfully reduce your share of the bill even with the price cap in place.
My Honest Bottom Line
I'd say a realistic, current estimate for your share of bills in a London shared house is roughly £63 to £92 per month, and I'd plan around the higher end specifically for the winter months. If your accommodation advertises "bills included" at a flat monthly figure, I'd compare it directly against this range before assuming it's automatically a good deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are bills per month for students in London in 2026?
I'd estimate roughly £63 to £92 per person per month across a shared house, covering electricity, gas, water, and broadband, with winter months sitting toward the higher end.
Why have energy bills gone up in 2026?
The Ofgem price cap rose by around 13% from July 2026, driven by higher wholesale gas prices. I'd build your budget around this current, higher figure rather than an older estimate.
Do I need to pay council tax as a student in London?
No, full-time students are exempt, but I'd recommend actively applying for the exemption through your local council rather than assuming it's automatic.
Do I need a TV license as a student?
Yes, if you watch or stream live TV or use BBC iPlayer. I'd budget roughly £4 to £5 per person per month if split across a typical shared house.
Can I reduce my share of London student bills?
I'd suggest comparing energy suppliers if your tenancy allows switching, confirming broadband isn't already included before setting up a new contract, and tracking usage with housemates to avoid unexpectedly high winter bills.
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Key Takeaways
- The current Ofgem energy price cap is £1,862 per year for a typical household from July to September 2026, an increase of £221.
- I'd budget £63 to £92 per person per month for a shared London house, covering electricity, gas, water, and broadband.
- Council tax shouldn't appear in your budget as a full-time student, but apply for the exemption rather than assuming it's automatic.
- Don't forget the TV license if you stream live TV or use BBC iPlayer.
- Build your budget around the higher end of this range, particularly heading into your first winter in the property.