Rent going up by a lot as of Feb

[Nooriginalusernameidea]

We've been incredibly Lucky this year as we rent a large studio flat which includes all bills, TV licence and internet etc. Except council tax. In these times, we have been incredibly lucky financially.
Our tenancy will end in February. We've been informed that our rent will increase by £45, which is fine (making a studio in a city centre 795 per month).
However, the utilities will no longer be included.
I'm quite deflated, worried about rising costs. I know February is a way off but it's hard to find rentals atm.
Not even sure what my aibu is. We're in Manchester city centre, willing to move out to suburbs. Not on massive salaries and feel down as I thought we would be financially comfortable for once. Not sure what to do.

I get why they have to do it, but just feel scared for the future and like our financial security has been ripped away. I know it's the same for many people

Honestly, I'd look into what your utilities cost would be. 795 is still a good price in Manchester city centre and utilities are likely to be low for a studio (assuming you're in a flat block)
If you move to the suburbs you might save a couple of hundred on rent cost but not a huge amount more, however if you're in a flat in a conversion or house your utility cost will be higher + transport costs and the difference might not be as much as you think. You usually have to move quite a distance out of the city before prices drop much, suburbs are desirable and expensive (in part because of the properties they have which tend to be larger)

The highest energy usage months are Nov - Feb, so that's a definite plus in terms of timing.

The most sensible thing you can do right now is to sit down and work out a budget. What your income is, what your fixed costs are likely to be, what will be left over after that, and whether it's affordable and how to make it affordable.

There is no sense feeling scared until you know what the situation truly is. As you live in a studio flat, your energy bills are unlikely to be super high, and you can calculate what the costs next year are likely to be if you get energy usage data from your landlord. If it's going to be a squeeze, work out what you can cut costs on and re-allocate towards the rent and energy bills.

Thanks for your reply. I've no idea what the utilities could be, before we lived together I've tended to live in house shares with all bills included really. I can't remember the last time I paid bills separately but I'll try and do some research.

You're right we're lucky that it's after Feb. I'll try and find out what potential monthly costs would be, but who knows what it'll be like by Feb since they seem to be putting them up every month.

Moving might not be cheaper once you add in commuting costs. I would start by asking the landlord if they have an estimate of past usage or past utility bills to help tenants budget.

Luckily you can get a monthly bus pass here for £70 which we currently have (don't drive) so don't think commuting costs should be too much of an issue as I already commute to work, I work near Wigan.
That's a good idea I will ask Thanks

Your utilities are likely to be fairly low for a studio (although I agree it's all relative at the moment). It'll be easier and cheaper to keep warm than a flat or house. That's a very reasonable rent for Manchester city centre - if you love where you live I'd not do anything hasty yet.

Also don't forget that you may qualify for some help towards your bills. I'm sure I saw somewhere that tenants whose utilities are included in their rent are also going to be eligible for some help - you might be able to put something aside to help with the tail end of winter.

As an aside I'm very envious of you living where you do - Manchester is my favourite city on earth!

I've found something for next September that's similar but offers a fixed utility package for £100 per month, so it would just be bridging that gap between then and September. But maybe we'll manage to pay it after all, our internet is included and we already pay our council tax, so it would just be electricity and water really.

Im about 5 miles out the city centre in a nice suburban area and rentals can vary from about £850 for a flat to over a grand and much more! for a 3 bed house which doesn’t include anything that you have had covered.

I know it’s only a studio but for city centre you’ve done well for this long. I’d think your bills wouldn’t be that crazy in a studio flat.

Do you have access to an electricity meter so you can check how many units you use?