Moving out..

MasterPlan1 · 27 Jul 2011 at 12:28

So, my missus has got herself a job after finishing off her MA, and we're looking at moving in together, trying to work out the budget side of things, how much we'll have to pay etc, I was wondering how much roughly would a 1 bedroom flat cost to run?

So like, water/gas/electricity/council tax etc..

We're looking at SE London to move into, as that's where the majority of our friends live, and close to Stratford Int station.

Electricity, would be something like, my computer setup, lights, and also a couple of laptops.

Gas? Water? *shrug* I know the council tax would be based on where we were living etc.

Not really planning on having a big screen TV and tricked out sound system or anything, as most of our viewing comes from lounging around watching stuff on our PCs.

If there are any sites which answer all these questions for me, feel free to do a LMGTFY to make me look dumb.

TIA.

Rich

Rroff · 27 Jul 2011 at 12:35

This was like 2006 and I might be off on some of the prices but IIRC when I was living in SE12:

Rent: ~£800/m (included water, no gas) this was 2 bed flat, 1 bed wasn't hugely cheaper.
Council tax: £90/m
Electricity: ~£50/m (2x PCs, fridge, freezer, shower, etc.)

I'd say on an average month I was paying out around £150 on top of rent for essential bills.

Basher · 27 Jul 2011 at 12:46

This is (roughly) what we spend for the 2 of us (per month) ...

Mortgate £693.00
Media £31.00
Car £274.00
Car maint £25.00
Car insurance £58.33
House insurance £8.33
Council tax £100.00
Electricity £65.00
Trinity £70.00
Food £400.00
Gym £129.00
Petrol £460.00

Freefaller · 27 Jul 2011 at 12:54

I live in SE London

Rent: 850
Council Tax: 76 (single person occupancy)
Water: 39
TV Licence: 12
Broadband: 20
Gas / Elec: 45
Insurance: 26

So not too expensive really - the property is huge and very comfy and well situated. Don't mind paying a premium for that as I'm sure some people will comment that that's a lot to pay in rent.

So it'd come at just around £500 each (though you'd have to add a bit more for the full council tax). And I haven't added fuel or food bills as they vary week on week.

Rroff · 27 Jul 2011 at 13:42

£850 is probably about the going rate for anywhere thats not a **** hole in SE anyhow - its not exactly the cheapest place to live.

Nulir · 27 Jul 2011 at 14:12

Rent :825++ minimum (expect to pay 850-1000 for 1 bed flat zone 3-4)
Council Tax : £115+
Water: £35
Electric : £35
Gas : £20
Tv: £12
Broadband,cable,phone line rental: £60
Contents Insurance : £26
Transportation - zone 1-3 : £126 (kinda important huh?)
Food,drink,beer: £400 (£100 a week is nothing) All adds up
You will need Deposit 1 month rent and 1 month rent in advance £1650 Minimum up front
Dont forget to budget for those kitchen items,furniture,clothes,mobile phone etc etc
there will be things i cant even think of here too, so good luck..!

Nulir · 27 Jul 2011 at 15:13

Rroff said:
£850 is probably about the going rate for anywhere thats not a **** hole in SE anyhow - its not exactly the cheapest place to live.

Its unfortunate but I have seen plenty of 1 bed or so called studio flats ****holes for 900-950 a month in Zone 3-4.

Two years ago I started paying 775 a month for a 1 tiny bed flat edge of as far as Zone 3 goes out. Now it would not come on the market for less than 950 a month, this is going up and up every year. Its so bad that landlords are doing sealed bids and biding wars rental gazumping are not uncommon. Sad but only going to get worse as the Banks have a 'hard on' for BTL mortgages. People want to put their life savings into property as the returns you get as above pays the part morgage and beats the return on the money siting in the bank with no interest, along with the house price increase long term.

Rroff · 27 Jul 2011 at 15:25

Ah gone up a bit more than I thought.

Freefaller · 27 Jul 2011 at 15:28

As you say though it is really dependent on where you're living. I'd consider my part of the world fairly safe, lots of parks and transport links and I'd be happy for my gf/sister/female friends to walk around there with minimal risk, even at night.

redeye_uk · 27 Jul 2011 at 15:31

I live in a 1 bedroom flat in Islington (N1) and I am paying

Rent: ~£1500 (£330pw)
Council Tax: £110
Water: £35
Electric : £40
Gas : £40
Tv: £12
Internet/phone: £25
Travel: £80
etc.

It quickly adds up. Living in London isnt cheap.