January has a reputation for belt-tightening, but for renters, the biggest money leaks often aren’t about spending too much - they’re about paying for things you shouldn’t be paying for at all.
The start of the year is when billing errors, outdated assumptions and address-based charges quietly surface. If you don’t spot them, they can drain hundreds of pounds over the year ahead. This isn’t about cutting back. It’s about cleaning up.
Here's what to check now.
1. Energy bills based on estimates, not reality
Winter energy bills are notoriously unreliable, especially in rented homes with high tenant turnover.
Common problems include:
- Bills based on estimated readings, not actual usage
- Tenants paying for energy used before they moved in
- Meter readings recorded incorrectly at check-in
January is when these errors compound, because estimates tend to be highest in winter.
What to do:
Submit fresh meter readings as early in January as possible. Compare them to your check-in readings and first bill. If there’s a large discrepancy, raise it immediately — suppliers are far more responsive early in the billing cycle.
2. Water bills that don’t match how you actually live
Water billing is often overlooked because it’s less visible than energy - but it can still be wrong.
Common issues include:
- Being billed as if more people live in the property than actually do
- Paying unmetered rates in a small flat
- Inheriting assumptions from previous occupiers
What to do:
Check whether your property is metered or unmetered, and whether the bill reflects the correct number of occupants. In some cases, switching billing method can reduce costs - but not always, so it’s worth checking before you commit.
3. Address-based services you didn’t realise you were paying for
Some costs stick to the property, not the person - which makes them easy to forget.
These include:
- TV licences
- Old broadband or line rental contracts
- Parking permits linked to the address
Renters often keep paying simply because nothing flags the issue.
What to do:
Audit any service tied to your address rather than your name. If you don’t use it, cancel it. If it’s required, make sure you’re the one who should be paying - especially in shared homes.
4. Overlapping bills from a previous home
December moves often lead to January mistakes.
Renters regularly end up:
- Paying council tax or utilities for two properties at once
- Missing final meter readings
- Being chased later for “unpaid” bills they thought were settled
What to do:
January is your chance to do a final sweep. Confirm closing readings, final bills and account closures from your previous address. It’s much easier to fix now than months down the line.
For tenants, saving money doesn't always start with spending less. It starts with stopping unnecessary payments.
January is the moment when:
- estimates turn into assumptions
- temporary errors become permanent charges
- small oversights become year-long costs
A couple of hours reviewing bills now can protect your finances for the rest of the year — without giving up anything at all!
