Utilities

yoo-TIL-i-teez

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What it really means

The basic home services you pay for: gas, electricity and water (and often broadband is grouped with them). Unless bills are included, tenants set up accounts with suppliers and split the costs between housemates.

Chinese explanation

基础生活服务费：煤气、电、水（网络也常归入此类）。除非房租含账单，否则租客需自行与供应商开户，并与室友分摊费用。

Example conversation

A: Are utilities included in the rent? B: No, we’ll need to set up gas, electric and water ourselves.

A：房租包水电煤吗？ B：不包，我们得自己开通煤气、电和水的账户。

What you could say back

“Which suppliers does the property currently use?”

Related phrases

Bills included Meter readings Water rates

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

Go deeper

Council Tax Explained: What Newcomers Need to Know How Renting Works in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide UK Utility Bills: Setting Up Energy, Water, Broadband and the TV Licence

All Renting & Housing

Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake