Hi all
Im looking at rental accommodation in Regina and I cannot see an obvious difference in rental cost when the utilities are included or not. It's very cold in winter so heating will be expensive I guess, but how expensive are the utilities in Regina compared to the UK? Not the easiest of questions I know but I cant work out whether it would be a good idea to only look at properties where the rent includes utilities.

We moved to Edmonton in August 2008, so had our first winter last year. Our landlord had the utilities in his name, which were apparently locked in to a 12 month contract. Our gas bills alone were coming in at around $500 a month. The rate was something like $12 p/GJ. In our current house, the rate is under $3 p/GJ so we're seeing a noticeable difference.
If you're seeing rentals WITH utilities for the same price as those without, isnt that an obvious no brainer??
We probably pay around $300 a month for gas/water/electric- maybe less I'm not sure as the wife does it.

Holy crap what are you renting Blenheim Palace. I'd say $150 a month for gas in winter is reasonable and Jericho's figures are about right for the combined.

Obviously even that out with the fact that you'll be paying just service charges because in the summer you'll use nothing

I have a family of 4 in a 1100 ft house in Regina. My heating bill is 120$ month, but I am on equalization. When I wasn't the winter bills were a kick in the teeth and the summer bills were a breeze. Water is 50-60 a month, but I think there is a leacky tap in the house and we love long warm showers and baths in my house. Power is around 90$ but I am terrible with lights. Cable,internet and homephone are bundled to 250 a month, but we have around 150 channels of which we watch about 15 regularly, also that damned Sentanta which is an extra 15$ for the luxury of hubby increasing the couch dent. Houses with utilities often mean only heat and water, the rest you are on your own. If you don't want to fork out for cable you will be stuck with just 4 channels, one is french cbc and of the remaining three you will only be able to get a decent reception for 2.
Here are some other tips for renting in regina, any house with a block number under 22 avoid. I recomend the East(exclusion of Glencarin) or South end of the city. Happy home hunting.

Not sure if it helps, but it does get very cold there.

BTW, welcome to the forum and just between you and me, was there ever any truth in the Marcia Williams thing?

I wasn't sure if areas that were affluent may have been playing a part in the price difference, also, I'm not used to looking at sq ft 'age. More so room size/numbers.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

mrwilson