Energy for students and shared houses
Whether you arrange your own energy depends on how you rent. Here is how it works for students and shared houses, and how to avoid overpaying.
If energy is included in your rent (kale huur plus a service charge), you usually cannot choose a supplier yourself. If you rent a whole place with your own meter, you arrange and compare your own contract, just like any household. In a shared house, agree who is named on the contract and how you split the bill, and give opening meter readings when you move in.
Is energy included in your rent?
First find out how you rent. If your rent is inclusive (energy is part of the price, often as a service charge or in a room in a shared building), the landlord holds the energy contract and you cannot switch supplier yourself. Check that the service charge is reasonable and settled against real usage.
If you rent a place with your own connection and meter, you arrange your own energy contract and can compare freely, exactly like any other household.
Keeping costs down
If you do control the contract, compare on total yearly cost for your actual usage, which for a room or small flat is lower than the average household, so the standing charge and welcome discount weigh more heavily. Give real meter readings, keep your monthly advance realistic, and compare again when the contract ends rather than rolling over onto a higher rate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my own energy supplier as a student?
Only if you have your own connection and meter. If energy is included in your rent, the landlord holds the contract and you cannot switch supplier yourself, though you can check the service charge is fair.
Who should be on the contract in a shared house?
Usually one housemate is named on the contract and the others split the bill. Agree upfront who signs, how you divide the cost and what happens when someone leaves, and keep opening and closing meter readings.
What contract suits a student who moves often?
A variable or dynamic contract can usually be ended with short notice, which suits frequent movers. A fixed contract can carry a capped early-termination fee if you leave before it ends.
How do I avoid overpaying in a small flat?
Compare on your real usage, not the average, since a room or small flat uses less, making the standing charge and welcome discount more important. Give real meter readings and compare again when your contract ends.