One-bedroom flats are often relatively cheap to buy or rent.
But like all types of flat, they still come with bills.
So, here’s a breakdown of the bills for a one-bed flat in the UK.
Total bills for a one-bed flat in the UK
We estimate that paying for electricity, water, gas and internet in a one bedroom flat costs around £1491.45 per year in the UK.
(This estimation is based on the factors listed below.)
However, note that prices will be higher in some locations.
Types of bills
1. Electricity bills for a one bedroom flat UK
According to British Gas, a typical one-bedroom flat uses around 1,800 kWh of electricity annually in the UK.
At the country’s standard prices, this costs £715.66 when you pay on receipt. If you pay by direct debit, it costs £669.65.
2. Gas bills for a one-bed flat UK
Every year, a typical one-bedroom property in the UK uses 7,500 kWh of gas.
Currently, this equals £632.74 when you pay on receipt. Or, it comes to £590.80 when you pay by direct debit.
3. Water bills for a one-bed flat in the UK
Independent figures show that an average water bill is £206 per year when living in a one-bed flat. This comes to around £17 per month.
4. Internet bills for a one-bed flat in the UK
The typical internet bill for a property in the UK is £30.84.
So, in a one bedroom flat, with fewer people using the internet daily, you can expect it to be lower than this. Around £25 is a good benchmark.
What impacts my annual bills?
Lifestyle
Lifestyle is arguably the most important one. If you work from home, your annual bills tend to be higher.
And if you often use central heating, your gas will be more expensive.
Energy efficiency
You should always think about the energy efficiency of your flat. When it is well-insulated, heat is retained.
This means that your bills don’t rise so high. The same applies to the efficiency of your home appliances.
Your flat’s level of energy efficiency will be affected by the building it’s in.
For example, flats in modern tower blocks often have more efficient heating. This is due to their heating systems and cladding.
National utility bill caps
At the time of writing, the UK’s price cap is set at £1,738 for all utility bills.
Location
Your location in the UK will affect the cost of standard utility bills.
In every county and region, the local distributor sets charges for suppliers.
These are then passed on to customers.
South west England, and south Wales, consistently ranks as the most expensive in terms of gas and electricity unit rate per kWh. And many of the cheapest places to live in the UK are in Scotland.
Location will also play a role in how easy (or difficult) it is to sell a one-bedroom flat.
