Table of contents

Making sure you can cover all the essential costs of your home can be tough, but it’s important to remember that support is always available to you if you find yourself unable to make ends meet. Here, we’ll discuss some of the options.

How can I save on my council tax?

Council tax can be one of the most common causes of concern around household costs. That’s why finding the support that’s available to you is important. Here are some savings you may want to look into.

  • Confirm your council tax band – you may be in the wrong band and can claim for overpaid tax if you are.
  • If you live alone, you’re entitled to a 25% discount on council tax payments. If you’re a full-time student, you won’t need to pay council tax at all.
  • Finding extra support: this can include support through the council tax hardship fund, council tax benefits and carers discount. By checking with your council, you’ll be able to find what you’re entitled to.

There’ve been changes to council tax announced for households in England that are coming in 2027. Find what those changes could mean for you.

How can I save on rent and mortgages?

When you’re paying your mortgage or rent making sure you find all the support available to you can help with managing those costs.

Here are some ways to save:

  • Extending your mortgage term – this can be used to bring down the monthly payment for your mortgage. It’s important to check with your lender; they’ll need to agree to any term changes.
  • Help with rent – this can be either Universal Credit (specifically the housing element) or housing benefit, which can be applied for by: pensioners, people in supported or temporary accommodation.
  • Renting out a spare room – if you have some extra space in your property, it may be an option to rent the room to generate an extra income. Always check with your lender that this is allowed under your mortgage agreement.
  • Subletting a spare room – If there are spare rooms in a property you rent from, you may be able to sublet that room for an extra source of income for the home. Always check with your landlord for their consent before looking into subletting.
  • Discretionary Housing Payment – if you rent from your council, you may be able to apply for support such as Discretionary Housing Payments or local Crisis and Resilience Fund housing support.

How can I save on utilities?

With rising utility costs, ensuring they are affordable for you is essential.

  • Cold Weather Payment – If you’re receiving certain benefits, you may be entitled to payments of £25 for every seven days of very cold weather.
  • Boiler Upgrade Scheme – for homeowners in England and Wales, there’s a replacement scheme for boilers. Replacing oil, gas or electric heating with eco-friendly heat pumps or biomass boilers.
  • Discount tariffs – many water companies offer discount tariffs for those struggling with their water bills. These are provided through WaterSure and WaterHelp.
  • Help with benefits – there’s a wide range of benefits that may be available to you to allow for reduced bills. These include Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit and many others.

Where can I find this support?

While there is a large amount of support available, it can be increasingly difficult to find it. Here are some more websites to look at if you’re feeling stuck.  

We’re here to help

If you’ve fallen behind with any of these costs, we’re here to help. Our advisors are here to help you find all the available solutions for affordable repayments if you have fallen behind.

Contact us to start finding your support:

Get debt help online or call us on 0800 316 1833 for a confidential conversation.

PayPlan’s advice is free, but some solutions may involve fees.