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What’s the average cost of contents insurance in the UK?
Only around half of UK households have a policy protecting their possessions, and one reason may be concerns over the cost of contents insurance. However, contents insurance is not only surprisingly...

How to avoid paying the previous occupant’s bills
There are lots of nasty surprises you might find in your new home – ugly furniture, full bins, or worst of all – the previous occupant’s bills.Â

How to set up council tax in the UK
Remembering to set up Council Tax when you move home is an easy task to miss off your checklist but it's an important one. Council Tax pays for essential local services, including rubbish...

How to register to vote when you move
Whether you're moving to a new home or it's your first time, taking the time to register to vote has multiple benefits. The most obvious is getting the ability to vote in local and national...

How much will your water bill increase in 2025?
Are you prepared for a water bill increase in 2025? All but one of the UK's water companies will be increasing customer bills from April 1st. These price rises include the £160m of refunds Ofwat...

Get your security deposit back when you move out
Your security deposit is an upfront payment made when moving into a rental home. The deposit protects your landlord from any costs associated with you damaging the property, failing to pay rent or...

Gas leak at home: Key signs and what to do
Are you worried about a potential gas leak in your home? Natural gas poses a risk of fire or even an explosion. Here's how to detect a gas leak and what to do if you suspect there's gas in the air...

What does council tax pay for?
What does Council Tax pay for? Most households in the UK pay Council Tax to their local authority. The amount of tax paid is based on the value of their home, the rates set by the local council and...
Energy

Will there be a UK gas shortage this winter?
Will the UK face a gas shortage this winter? British Gas owner Centrica inspired concern about ongoing gas supply when it revealed that the UK 'has less than a week of gas demand in store'....

The January 2025 energy price cap
The energy price cap has increased by 1.2% for the period of January to March 2025. The average household will pay the equivalent of £1,738 a year for gas and electricity. Customers on standard...

Do energy smart meters save money?
You may have been told that energy smart meters save money, save energy and help you reduce your carbon footprint. The truth is a little more complicated. While smart meters have helped many...

9 simple ways to save energy at Christmas
Looking for ways to save energy at Christmas? With the holiday season comes festive lights, warm gatherings and cosy comforts, but it’s also a time when our energy consumption spikes. With a few...
Broadband & TV

How Christmas TV became a UK tradition & what to watch in 2024
Since 1957 Christmas TV has been almost as big a part of festive celebrations as carols, presents or even a turkey dinner. In 2020, the average Brit spent 24 hours and 45 minutes watching TV in...

Do I need a TV licence in the UK? (Updated 2024)
Do I need a TV licence? It's a question we hear from those moving home in the UK on a daily basis. TV licensing sends regular reminders to homes without a licence to remind them to register for one....

Sky Q vs Sky Glass vs Sky Stream
If you want to order Sky TV, there's one decision you'll need to make early on: Sky Q, Sky Glass or Sky Stream? Sky TV is currently available to watch through three different devices. When you place...

Cancel your broadband with no exit fee: Sky, Virgin, BT, EE & more
Are you trying to cancel your broadband? From hard-to-find support lines to high cancellation fees, it can feel like an uphill battle! We've created this ultimate guide to cancelling your broadband...
Water

How to register for water when you move
When you move into a UK home the water supply will be connected, but it's still important to register for water with your local supplier. Customers who fail to set up their accounts properly can be...

Utility bills in the UK: how are they calculated?
Whether you own or rent a property in the UK, it's important to understand how your utility bills are calculated. Utility bills refer to the various charges that you incur for the services at your...

What’s the average water bill in the UK 2024?
How much is the average water bill for a UK household? With the news that water bills are set to rise over the next five years, many households want to see how much they can expect to spend in 2025...

Simple ways to stay cool & save energy in the summer
As the great British summertime heats up, people around the country fight to stay cool. Keeping your home - and yourself - frosty doesn't need to cost a fortune. With a few simple tricks, you can...
Council tax

Waste Collection: Which bin should you use?
Do you know which bin to use when you're throwing out rubbish, food waste and recycling? The problem of where to throw your waste away can quickly get complicated in the UK. Which bin to use for...

How to find Christmas tree recycling near you
Looking for how to safely dispose of your Christmas tree at the end of the festive season? Here's our guide to Christmas tree recycling and donation. Can I recycle my Christmas tree? Yes!...

Estimate your bills with our Utility Bill Calculator (updated October 2024)
The changing energy price cap, as well as regular rises in the cost of everything from Council Tax to broadband bills, has left households across the UK looking for an easy way to estimate their...

Students: here’s what you need to know about council tax exemption
Whether you are heading off to university or college for the first time or switching to new accommodation, remember to register for student Council Tax exemption. If everyone in your household is a...
Moving Guides

Get your security deposit back when you move out
Your security deposit is an upfront payment made when moving into a rental home. The deposit protects your landlord from any costs associated with you damaging the property, failing to pay rent or ending the tenancy early. When you move out, your deposit is returned...

How to switch water suppliers
You currently can't switch water suppliers in the UK. The company that handles your clean water supply and wastewater disposal is decided by the area you live in When you move home, you're responsible for identifying and registering with your new supplier. Otherwise,...

What you need to know about the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee new immigrants to the UK pay to access NHS healthcare. The charge has been in place since 2015, Whether you'll be required to pay depends on the immigration status you're applying for. Who has to pay the...

How Migrate makes moving to London easierÂ
Moving to London is stressful, especially if you're new to the UK. Between the UK immigration process and finding a home in one of the world's busiest capitals, it's hard to know where to start. Fortunately, that's where our partner Migrate London comes in. Migrate's...
PCM News

Should I get a water meter fitted?
Every home in the UK has meters that measure energy usage, but only about half have a water meter fitted. If you don't currently have one, installing a water meter could reduce your monthly bills significantly. However, this depends on a few different factors. We've...

Canopy Grow and Homebox: Everything you need to know
Homebox isn't just an easy way to manage all your bills in one simple payment. Their plans also come with extra features to make managing your money easier. One is Canopy Grow - a powerful way to turn regular monthly payments into a better credit score. A Canopy Grow...

Renters Reform Bill expected from October 2024
Update: January 2024 The Renters Reform Bill has now reached the report stage in the House of Commons. It's predicted the legislation will apply to new tenancies from October 2024, with the law changing for existing tenancies 12 months later in October 2025. The bill...

Do we need relocation in the age of remote working?
Remote working is rumoured to be endangering everything from office parks to the City of London itself - but is international relocation under threat? In some ways, it makes sense. If a job can be done from home, why can't that home be anywhere in the world? Why...