How to manage rent and energy costs during winter

The coldest months of winter are fast approaching and, with the cost of living on the rise, many UK households are finding it harder to pay their bills.

Planning ahead, following practical advice, and reaching out for support can help you manage costs and keep your home warm without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips and reminders to help you manage your rent and energy bills.

Set a budget

A good way to keep track of your bills is to make a budget.

Start by looking at your monthly outgoings. Make a list of important bills like rent and loans, and regular costs like heating, electricity, phone costs, and groceries.

Knowing exactly where your money goes makes it easier to see where you can reduce spending. Cutting back on things like takeaway meals or unused subscriptions can free up extra money to make sure your rent and other essential bills are covered.

Prepare for unexpected expenses by creating a small emergency fund. Putting aside a bit each month can help cover extra costs without stress.

You can also set calendar reminders or automatic payments to help make sure your rent is paid on time.

Reduce energy use

Being mindful of how you use energy around the home can help you to lower bills.

Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce heating bills by up to 10%. Try to keep your living room at around 18–21°C, and bedrooms slightly cooler.

If possible, only heat the rooms you use most. Closing doors to unused rooms helps keep warmth where it’s needed.

Time your heating so it comes on about 30 minutes before you wake up and turns off 30 minutes before bedtime. This way your home stays warm when you need it without wasting energy.

Let sunlight in during the day to naturally warm your home, and close curtains at night to keep the heat inside. If you can, switch to LED bulbs, which use far less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer.

Unplug devices when they’re not in use or use a smart power strip to turn off multiple electronics at once. Standby power can make up a noticeable part of your bill.

If you have a washing machine, lowering the temperature to 30°C instead of 40°C can save both energy and money. Only run the machine when you have a full load.

Only boiling the amount of water you need in the kettle and reducing your shower time by even a minute can also save money on water and energy bills, especially if you use an electric shower.

Find support

If you’re finding it hard to pay your rent, there is help available. Start by checking your local council’s website to see what support you can get. You can find your council at www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

Charities like The Trussell Trust and Turn2us can give advice, one-off payments, or small grants. Citizens Advice can also provide free guidance on managing money and rent arrears.

You can also speak to Habinteg’s Rent Assist team. They can explain your options, set up a repayment plan if need, and point you to other organisations for benefits advice.

Call Rent Assist on 0300 365 3100 or speak to your local Neighbourhood team.

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