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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...
What’s the average Council Tax bill in the UK?
In the 2024-2025 tax year, the average council tax charge for a Band D property is £2,171 a year in England, £2,024 a year in Wales and £1,421 in Scotland. Council Tax bands range from A (the lowest...
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...
Renter’s Rights Bill looks to cap advance rent at one month
Landlords will only be able to request a maximum of one month's rent in advance if the new Renter's Rights Bill becomes law. The cap on advance rent is a new addition to the bill, which has...
What channels do you get with Sky TV? (Updated 2025)
Welcome to Please Connect Me's complete Sky TV channel guide. Here you'll find answers to all of your questions about Sky TV channels, hardware, streaming services and more. Use the table of...
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 complete Sky Essential TV channel guide (updated 2025)
What is Sky Essential TV? Sky's Essential TV package is a competitively priced digital TV package focusing on the most popular channels and streaming services that Sky offers. What's included...
Energy
Switch to direct debit and save money on energy bills
Do you pay for energy by direct debit? These automatic monthly payments are not only the easiest way to pay your bill on time each month, they can also save you money. Energy suppliers save their...
How to switch energy suppliers: Everything you need to know
Are you looking to switch energy suppliers? Perhaps you've been reading about impending energy price increases and are looking to save on your gas and electricity bills. If you are then we're here...
How you can get free electricity from Octopus Energy
Free electricity - it sounds too good to be true! Well, that's what Octopus Energy are offering their customers through their 'Octopus Power-Ups' scheme. There are a few conditions for joining the...
Octopus Energy offers support after winter fuel payment cuts
After cuts to those eligible for the winter fuel payment were confirmed in July, many of the UK's most vulnerable people were left wondering how they would pay for fuel this winter. The cuts were...
Broadband & TV
What is Virgin Media Stream?
Virgin Media Stream is the TV streaming service from Virgin Media that comes completely contract-free. Stream aims to be one place to collect all of your streaming subscriptions, catch-up...
How much will you spend on household bills in 2024?
Be prepared, household bills in 2024 are set to change from April 1st. Across the UK, Council Tax, broadband services and utilities will see price increases for millions of customers. We've broken...
Will you face a broadband price rise on April 1st?
Millions of households across the UK are facing a mid-contract broadband price rise on March 31st and April 1st. We took a look at how much bills are going up, as well as which providers won't be...
Why 2G and 3G smart meters are going to stop working
Why are the owners of 3G smart meters losing service? Some of the UK's earliest smart meter adopters could lose their smart meter functionality in the coming years as 2G and 3G mobile networks are...
Water
Water companies promise £96bn upgrade – and water bill increase
Water companies across England and Wales have pledged to invest £96bn in improving Britain's water infrastructure, but the upgrades will come at the cost of a water bill increase for consumers. The...
These 3 water-saving gadgets can cut your bills by £150
Installing water-saving gadgets around your home is an easy way to cut your bills and your carbon footprint. If you have a water meter installed then the less water you use, the less you'll have to...
Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK? (July 2023)
Is there a hosepipe ban in the UK? The short answer (in July 2023) is yes - in some areas. Read on for more details on what a hosepipe ban is, how to avoid breaking the ban and which UK water...
Cut your home’s carbon footprint this Earth Day
April 22nd is Earth Day, a global holiday in support of environmental protection. In 2023, more than a billion people around the globe are expected to participate in fundraising, protests, clean-up...
Council tax
Reclaim Council Tax when you move home
If you've moved home recently you may be able to reclaim Council Tax that you paid in advance. While some local authorities automatically refund you when you move, others will only repay if you...
Price increase 2023: Energy, Water, Broadband, Council tax
As April rolls around, households across the UK will see increases in broadband, water, and council tax bills. Meanwhile, businesses will face a hike in energy bills as the government's Energy Bill...
Council Tax Rises in April 2023
Council Tax rates for most of the UK will rise by 5% this April, coinciding with annual price rises across utility providers. The change was expected after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt granted permission...
Council Tax – what is it, and how to register
If you live in the UK, the chances are that you pay Council Tax to your local authority. The amount of tax paid will vary based on the value of your property, as well as if you’re eligible for a...
Moving Guides
How much does it cost to get keys cut?
Are you paying too much to get keys cut? A spare key or two can prove invaluable if you get locked out of your home, but that doesn't mean you should break the bank. The cost of getting a typical house key cost starts between £5.25 and £7 depending on the style of...
7 unexpected bills that add to the cost of moving home
There are so many pieces that go into the cost of moving home that it's easy to forget some. However, these unexpected expenses can add hundreds of pounds to your moving bills. When you're budgeting for your move, make sure to include: Boxes and packaging, including...
Relocating with pets? Here’s 9 things you need to know
Moving internationally means pulling off dozens of complicated and important manoeuvrers in order, and when you're relocating with your pets it adds a new set of concerns. More than half of the world's population now owns a pet, with the rise in adoptions we saw...
How to defrost a freezer (and save on your bills)
Here's how to defrost your freezer to help it run at maximum efficiency, and keep your electricity bills down. Frost building up in your freezer doesn't just limit the amount of food you can fit inside. It also makes it harder for your freezer to keep cool, especially...
PCM News
Canopy Grow: The new service to help renters build credit
Proptech platform Canopy Rent has launched its latest service for renters - Canopy Grow. Grow is designed to make building UK credit history and improving your credit score simple for renters. Too often, paying rent can feel like a zero-sum game, but Canopy has found...
Please Connect Me Arrives in Ireland
After more than 20 years of helping home movers set up their utilities, Please Connect Me is pleased to announce we will be bringing our free, five-star rated utility concierge service to the Republic of Ireland! Having assisted thousands of New Zealanders and...
How to set up broadband in the UK
Whether you are relocating to the UK, purchasing your first home - setting up wifi for your new home is essential. But it can get overwhelming to sort out a dozen other important tasks including unpacking, paperwork and figuring out your new neighbourhood. To help...
The launch of our brand new customer dashboard
After a successful and eventful partnership with home technology provider, Ideavate, Please Connect Me is pleased to announce the availability of our brand-new customer dashboard. Everyone who uses our free utility expert service will be able to track the progress of...