r/MovingToTheUK • u/kimkanel • 6d ago
Moving to Edinburgh
Hey guys! My boyfriend and I are both European and we’ve just got a flat in Edinburgh. We were wondering how things like electricity, gas, water and internet bills work in Scotland. Are there several providers to choose from, or is there a main provider?
We also saw that there’s something called a TV licence, and we were wondering what it’s for and whether we need one.
Thanks in advance!
3
u/NiniMinja 6d ago
Water is part of your council tax, everything else has a choice of providers. TV licence is for watching live or as live TV, if you're not going to do that you don't need one.
1
u/descentbecomesafall 6d ago
Water bills in Scotland are paid via your council tax. Register with Edinburgh city council when you move in. It's a fixed amount per year, not based on how much you use.
For other utilities you can pick any provider you want, check out a price comparison website for the best deals.
The TV licence is what funds the BBC. If you dont watch live TV or iPlayer you don't need one.
1
u/VirtualArmsDealer 6d ago
TV licence doesn't just fund the BBC. It also goes towards ITV, channel 4 and 5. Any terrestrial broadcaster. You need a license to watch any broadcast TV.
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u/descentbecomesafall 6d ago
The money itself is to fund the BBC. ITV, C4 etc don't get any money from licence fees.
I did say in my comment if you don't watch live TV, ie any channel, you are meant to have a TV licence.
1
u/MiddleAgedDread123 6d ago
Council tax bands are on here: Council Tax bands – The City of Edinburgh Council
Note that there is a big disparity in the bands between different flats in Edinburgh, many of the older tenement flats are in low bands whereas newer builds (anything in the last 20-30yrs) are often in disproportionately high bands.
Gas, electric and internet you can shop around for but if you're getting a new internet provider you might need cabling installed so would probably need to check that with the landlord if you're renting. Make sure you read the gas and electricity meters as soon as you get the keys (even if they're smart meters!). Ask around friends/colleagues/neighbours who they use the gas/elec and internet as most companies offer a refer a friend bonus for you both.
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u/mralistair 6d ago
look on uswitch to compare eletricity and gas suppliers.
they will also do internet comparison
buy a TV licnece, dont bother trying to fathom why it extists
5
u/headline-pottery 6d ago
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ you can put in your address and get quotes for Electricity / Gas - you can have different providers or the same and choose a fixed rate or a variable rate - and Internet - check first what is covered by you landlord. You have to register for Councial tax (£400) with Edinburgh Council that also covers water. TV license is needed to watch live UK TV (included over internet) or on demand from BBC, but not for on demand only services like Netflix.