Some people across the UK may unknowingly be hit with a ‘single surcharge’, costing thousands annually. A recent study compared the living expenses of those not cohabiting with a partner, whether they’re solo or renting a room, to the bills of those who do live with someone, and the findings were startling.
According to research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, singletons are paying out an average of £3,844 more each year. The results revealed that household bills makeup over 54% of single people’s monthly income for the most part.
More than 1 in 10 people opting to live alone confess to using a credit card to cover household bills to manage their finances, while others admit to postponing or even delaying bill payments. The financial strain and cost of living have led 15% to confess that they’re tempted to remain in relationships purely to reduce costs.
Regardless of whether you’re single, coupled up, married, or living solo, a staggering 61% of Brits agree that the ‘single surcharge’ is unjust. Many feel it’s up to the companies to provide more discounts and support to single bill payers.
Alanna Manktelow, who lives in Edinburgh, has felt the financial squeeze of escalating costs firsthand. Sharing her story, she reveals, “My household costs—including mortgage, gas, electricity, and council tax—total around £1,300. I used to split the majority of these costs, but now living alone, I feel the full impact. Before, I could save for holidays or nights out, but now I struggle to cover essentials.”
The 29-year-old further explained: “I assumed living alone would mean lower bills, but single-person council tax relief doesn’t go far in this cost-of-living crisis. I also used to split food and household shopping with my housemate, but now cooking for one is too expensive, so I often eat at my parents’ house. While I’m grateful for their help, I want to support myself and remain independent.”
I’ve had to cut back on socialising to afford my bills, but this affects my mental well-being. The rising costs are worrying – I worked hard to buy my flat, and I’d be devastated if I had to give it up.”
The disparity between a solo resident and a couple is stark, with new findings illustrating that broadband can cost a single customer £42.90 more compared to £30.10 for a duo, amounting to an average yearly excess of £153.60. And that’s not all; single occupants pay around £398.40 more in council tax and face £441.60 extra for energy bills.
Max Beckett, a telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, has called on businesses to step up their efforts in light of the figures. He said: “The “single person tax” hasn’t gone away, and our data shows that those who live alone continue to bear the greatest financial strain.
“From rent and utilities to grocery shopping, solo living means covering every expense without the benefit of splitting costs, making financial pressures even more intense. Uswitch’s data shows that the UK’s singles are cutting back on energy, broadband, and grocery spending, while ‘luxuries’ such as Netflix and takeaways are also off the agenda for many.
“Businesses would do well to remember that single bill payers account for nearly one in three households, so home service providers could do more to offer affordable products to these groups – or they may join the list of cutbacks single bill payers have already mad