First Time Renting

Parmesan

Parmesan

Parmesan

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22 Jan 2004
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Next to the ketchup...
Well Me, my gf and a friend, are looking at renting a 2 bedroom house, and are trying to sort out the total costs, so far I've come up with:

Rent
Electricity
Gas
Water
Tv Licence
Phone
Council Tax?

I can think of much else... Anyone else think of anything? This is the first time any of us will have rented anywhere, dont know if anyone knows of any good websites for help on this??

Many Thanks

J...
 
You seem to have got all your utilities there, but remember to put money aside for food shopping!

Are you renting furnished or have you not decided yet? Furnished is good if you are just starting out but the downsides are that you have to be careful not to break anything! And also that when/if you do buy a place, you have extra expense as you have to buy all your furniture and appliances at once.
 
Were renting unfurnished, got most of the stuff already sorted, like sofas, beds, cooker and fridge, forgot all about food shopping. Deposit is already sorted, its usually the same as a months rent is it not?

The majority of 2 bedroom places round here are about 550-600 quid a month, have saved up a bit of money to make sure we can get through the first couple of months fine.

Not worrying about stuff like internet and that yet, not really god a need for it apart from my 360, get access to the internet at work.

I know when paying water rates you pay a set amount each month dont you?
 
The thing that got me about renting having lived at home is that you have to think about and pay for every little thing. Stuff you take for granted like toothpaste, washing up liquid etc that was just there at home when you needed it you now have to buy, and if you run out you're screwed!

Thank the Lord for 24 hour Tesco...
 
Currently sharing a flat with a friend; our first time, we're only 19 and 18 years old (just finished college, both got full time jobs). It is amazingly expensive so far. I think it's worth it for sure.
 
I recommend Dunhelm Mill for the little extras to make the place your own (and for when you buy your own house - at least you will have some stuff). Its a first time buyers dream...

I would also ask for a copy of the contract prior to signing it, and get it checked out for any daft clauses, although you do have statuary rights.

Make sure the stuff listed on the inventory is actually in the flat.

I believe the law has changed so that a 3rd party holds your deposit instead of the landlord, but don't quote me on that - it may be for households with multiple occupancy only...

I would speak to the citizens advice bureau as I am sure they have leaflets that explain all your rights... In fact, here are some links

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6w/index/family_parent/housing/tenancy_agreements.htm
Tenancy Agreements.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6w/index/family_parent/housing/private_sector_tenancies.htm
Private Sector Tenancies

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/n6w/index/family_parent/housing/common_problems_with_tenancies.htm
Common Problems With Tenancies.

90% of the time you will have no problems with tenancies. However when at Uni we had a few problems with a couple of unscrupulous landlords, but we stood our ground because we knew our rights.

Hope it all works out. Depending on how much your earning and how much the rent is, you may be entitled to claim housing benefit (obviously not all the rent if your working) and/or council tax benefit.
 
Big Chris said:
The thing that got me about renting having lived at home is that you have to think about and pay for every little thing. Stuff you take for granted like toothpaste, washing up liquid etc that was just there at home when you needed it you now have to buy, and if you run out you're screwed!

Thank the Lord for 24 hour Tesco...
Click to expand...

Toilet roll is the thing I always took for granted. I now buy the biggest pack I can so I hopefully never run out!!
 
Vix said:
Toilet roll is the thing I always took for granted. I now buy the biggest pack I can so I hopefully never run out!!
Click to expand...
hehe, yeah, you can go to bed without cleaning your teeth or leave the washing up for another day but your up a certain creek with no paddles if you run out of bum scrub.
 
Do yourself a favour and take photographs of every single room with the landlord present - then give him copies of the photos.

Then when/if you give the landlord a deposit, make sure you sign for it, whatever you do!

When it's time for to you to move out, then say "right let's make sure the rooms are in good condition as we move in...yup...can we have our deposit back please?" :)
 
Don't want to put a downer on things but i'd suggest you have a good long think about whether you really want to live with your gf AND a friend. Moving in with your gf will be great (probably) but do you really want your mate there cramping your style? Never done it myself but I know people who have and it all went wrong.

As for the other stuff, other people have said it all really, just remember to save up extra for bills, they have a habbit of suddenly being a lot bigger than you were expecting.
 
Well the chap thats moving in with us is only planning on staying there for a few months, then he's of to work somewhere up north, got a couple of people who have said they would love to move in with us when our other mate goes.

I'm on a pretty decent salarly, and should be getting a small payrise in april which will help a bit i'm sure, my gf is earning a reasonable salarly, but is looking for something better, and my mate is doing reasonable, so I think we should be able to survive.

Anyone got any ideas on what sort of total cost for electric, water and gas are for a month, sort of normal use, nothing excessive.

And I will need to know the postcode of the house, to check the council tax band wont I??

And cheers for the links Void :)
 
All the above are great examples, have you also added your personal bills to your expenses, as they can be missed!

Credit Card, Car (finance/petrol/insurance/wear&tear), Mobile Phone?

Everyone needs a night out/ few £'s to spend, its ok managing your finances to what you think you CAN afford/the last penny, but in reality you need more.

Things go BANG! and you need to replace, people leave,.... have something set aside...

Dont get me wrong, living on your own/with partner can be great i certainally dont regret a day, but time fly's and the bills come rather quickly!
 
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