Included in your rent
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Broadband | 100Mbps fibre via Glide, pre-installed in every apartment |
| TV | Freeview set up and ready to use |
| Cycle storage | Secure, fob-access, free |
| Concierge | 24-hour on-site team |
| All amenities | Gym, co-working, cinema, dining, games room, roof terrace, etc. |
You do not need to set up your own broadband — it’s already installed and ready when you move in.
Broadband speed upgrades
Your standard 100Mbps is included in rent. If you want faster speeds, Glide offers month-by-month upgrades — no long-term commitment, downgrade any time:
| Speed | Extra cost |
|---|---|
| 100Mbps | Free (included in rent) |
| 250Mbps | £10/month |
| Up to 1Gbps | £20/month |
Not included (you need to set up)
| Service | Notes |
|---|---|
| Council tax | Sheffield City Council — pay and register online |
| Electricity | Choose any energy supplier — sign up online and perform an energy switch |
| Water | Yorkshire Water — register online at yorkshirewater.com or over the phone |
| Hot water | Supplied centrally by Soho Yard’s communal boiler — billed separately by Homebox |
| TV licence | Required if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer |
| Contents insurance | Not mandatory but strongly recommended — the landlord’s policy does not cover your belongings |
Electricity
Your apartment defaults to E.ON when you move in. Most residents switch to another provider (such as Octopus Energy or Fuse Energy) for better rates — E.ON’s default variable tariff is significantly more expensive.
How to switch:
- Sign up with your preferred supplier online (e.g. octopus.energy)
- They handle the switch with E.ON automatically
- E.ON will send you a final bill for the period before the switch
If E.ON blocks the switch, you may need to create an account with them first, then close it so the switch can proceed. The process typically takes 3–5 days.
Typical costs (as reported by residents):
| Apartment | Approximate monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Studio | £40–55 |
| 1 Bedroom | £45–60 |
| 2 Bedroom | £60–85 |
Costs vary depending on usage, provider, and whether you use portable AC or other high-draw appliances.
Water (Yorkshire Water)
You need to register with Yorkshire Water yourself — it is not done automatically.
How to set up:
- Go to yorkshirewater.com and create an online account
- Call them (or request a callback) to transfer the account to your name — the property may be registered under “urbanbubble” initially
- Have your move-in date and meter reading from your inventory ready — they will backdate your account accordingly
- Your water meter is a smart meter, so Yorkshire Water can collect readings directly
The call takes about 10 minutes. Some residents have set up entirely online, others needed to call — if online doesn’t work, a callback is the quickest route.
Your first bill may take up to 3 months to arrive. Yorkshire Water bills quarterly but charges a monthly estimate via direct debit.
Council tax
Council tax is paid to Sheffield City Council. The building’s council tax banding can take several months to be finalised — some apartments were not banded for 6+ months after opening.
What to expect:
- You may receive a letter asking for a voluntary contribution before the official banding is confirmed
- When your band is confirmed, your bill may be compressed into fewer monthly payments (e.g. 7 months instead of 12), making the monthly amount higher than expected
- You can contact the council to arrange payment over 10 or 12 months instead
Estimated council tax bands:
| Apartment | Band |
|---|---|
| Studio | B |
| 1 Bedroom | B |
| 2 Bedroom | C |
| 3 Bedroom | C |
Living alone? Apply for the 25% single person discount: sheffield.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-discounts/discounts-single-people
Tip: Even before you’re banded, set money aside each month so you’re not caught out by a large backdated bill.
Hot water
Hot water is heated centrally by a communal boiler and distributed to all apartments — you do not have your own boiler. Payments for hot water are collected by Homebox.
Resident tip: We recommend managing all other bills (electricity, water, council tax) directly with each provider yourself, and only using Homebox for hot water. This avoids potential complications with bill bundling.
First 4 months: Homebox charges a fixed amount based on the number of occupants and bedrooms in your apartment. After this period, billing switches to actual usage based on your meter readings.
Monthly meter readings — this is critical:
You must upload your hot water meter reading to the Homebox portal on the 1st of each month. Readings are only accepted within a window of 2 days before to 2 days after the 1st (i.e. 30th/31st through to 3rd). If you submit outside this window, your reading will not be used and your usage will be estimated — this can lead to large and unexpected bills.
Set a monthly reminder for the 1st. Accurate readings = accurate bills.
Keep your own records:
The residents community recommends taking all your meter readings (electricity, cold water, hot water) each month and saving them for your own records. This protects you in the event of any billing dispute.
Homebox contact: If you have billing issues, email becky@homebox.co.uk — the designated contact for Soho Yard residents.
Quarterly meter reads
Every 3 months, the Soho Yard team will request your quarterly meter readings. You can submit these yourself when asked. If you don’t, the team will give you notice and enter your apartment to collect the readings.
The Soho Yard team can help you arrange the transfer of utilities if needed. Don’t alter any utility meters or ask a provider to disconnect supply.
Your apartment’s utility setup
Heating
Your radiators are fully electric with a touch-screen display to adjust the temperature in each room. A remote control is also provided. Keep heating at a consistent level — avoid big temperature swings, especially in winter.
Heated towel rails are fitted in bathrooms. If constantly covered by towels, they may not heat the room to your desired temperature.
Ventilation (MVHR unit)
Your apartment has a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit in the utility cupboard. Keep this running at all times — it circulates fresh air and prevents condensation and mould.
Utility cupboard
Located inside your apartment, the cupboard contains:
- Fibre router (broadband)
- MVHR unit and fuse
- Smoke detector connections
- Washing machine connections
Cooker extractor hood
Located above the hob — open the flap towards you to operate. Use this when cooking on the hob. It has 3 speed settings and a light on/off switch.
Summer heat
The apartments do not have built-in air conditioning. Higher floors in particular can get very warm in summer. Tips from residents:
- Portable AC units are the most effective solution — several residents use them successfully
- A dehumidifier can also help, as humidity contributes to how hot the apartment feels
- Keep curtains/blinds closed during the day when the sun is on your windows
- The MVHR unit circulates air but does not cool it significantly in high temperatures