Boxed Bills

Boxed Bills: utility management for student housing in the UK

Boxed Bills is a British company specialising in the administration of household utilities for shared student housing. Its model consists of bundling the contracted services into a single plan with one monthly payment, so that tenants do not have to manage sign-ups, bills or cost splitting with each supplier separately. The company defines itself as a utility-management agent, not as the final supplier of those utilities.

Services that may be included in the package

Boxed Bills' catalogue allows you to select the services each household needs. The available options include:

• Gas and electricity with a fixed, unlimited monthly tariff.
• High-speed broadband.
• Water, through the relevant local supplier.
• Full TV licence.

The available combinations and specific suppliers depend on the characteristics of the property and are detailed in the quote or order summary.

How the plan works and how payments are split

The lead tenant creates the household account and invites the other participating residents. Each one receives their own link to confirm their details and set up their share of the payment. Payments are processed through Stripe, which handles the payment details; Boxed Bills receives transaction status information and uses the money collected to pay the suppliers' invoices. The package price is calculated based on the property, contract dates, number of tenants and selected services, and includes the costs of the management service itself. The company states that it does not apply a separate setup fee or security deposit.

Financial terms and contractual commitments

The agreed monthly payment remains fixed for the stated contract term. However, the agreement provides for additional charges in specific cases: missed payments, meter readings not taken, early cancellation, supplier cancellation costs, or prohibited or commercial use. Cancellation before the end date may entail a £100 early termination penalty per household, the amount needed to settle the package based on actual consumption and payments made, and the broadband or other supplier cancellation costs passed on to Boxed Bills. The company undertakes to provide a breakdown of the amounts claimed. At the end of the fixed term, the agreement ends unless the household actively agrees to renew it; renewal is optional and may include a £50 credit applicable to the first payment of the new period, if offered.

Meter readings and household responsibilities

Although the monthly payment is fixed, suppliers calculate actual gas and electricity consumption from meter readings. Therefore, the household must provide accurate readings when requested. If a service is not working, Boxed Bills asks to be informed so it can pass the issue on to the relevant supplier and keep the household informed. Any change to the contracted services must be checked in advance, as it depends on the current supplier contract, the timing of the agreement and any associated costs.

Customer service and data handling

The company handles enquiries by email and phone, and asks for the property address or household reference to locate the account. For complaints, it asks you to explain what happened, the outcome you want and the household or property concerned, and undertakes to acknowledge receipt and investigate. As for personal information, Boxed Bills uses it to quote, contract and manage the selected services, and shares it with Stripe, utility suppliers and other service providers where there is a lawful basis. The company states that it does not carry out credit-reference searches.

Price match promise

Boxed Bills offers to match the price if the household finds the same package cheaper with another provider, with no fuss, according to its own presentation.