Living costs - single person in a flat

crafty*kate

Hi all,

Not sure if this is in the right place, but I'm sure someone will put me right if it isn't!

I have split up with my partner and I'm going to rent on my own. Does anyone know where I can find typical costs for a 1-bed flat? Things like gas, electric, etc....

Thanks,
Kate

frugallass

hi crafty kate

it all really depends on the type of heating you have, your council tax band, whether you have a water meter or not, whether you will be at home during the day, how often you spend on the phone etc.

it's difficult to guesstimate someone elses costs really !

check to see if you are entitlted to any benefits etc (eg council tax discount)

ShelfStacker_3

I'm single, living in a flat. I pay:

£30 a month electric (prepayment meter)
£22 monthly for water
£76 council tax
£24 for laundurette each month (no washing machine)
£60 to £80 a month for food
£20 a month for contents insurance
£27.99 a month for phone and broadband
£50 a month credit card repayment

Plus obviously rent (for me £450pcm) and my other things like mobile phone. I don't have a TV licence (don't watch TV) or Sky or whathaveyou, so I can't comment on that.

These will obviously differ for you and your individual circumstances. Hope this helps for you.

crafty*kate

Thanks!

It's all a bit vague as I haven't found a place yet, currently still living in the house I own with my ex, until he agrees to give me some money so I can move out (whole other story).

Shelfstacker, thanks, that gives me a pretty good idea. I had made some estimates which are actually pretty similar to yours, so I am obviously on the right lines.

I do work full time so I won't be around during the day. Don't think I'm entitled to any help either, apart from single person's discount on council tax.

JenC

Sorry to hear you have split up with your other half. Your local council website should tell you the council tax bands and price per year of each. you get a 25% reduction as a single occupier. With regards to gas & elec, I pay £10 per bedroom on each per month, as a single occupier in a 2 bed house. You may be able to get away with less but I was keen not to go 'overdrawn' with them. Keep an eye on if your payments are sufficient. I had a letter from EDF telling me that they were upping my payments to £40 for each per month. When I phoned them, the account was in credit and I was paying plenty!!!! With regards to water, definitely go for somewhere with a water meter. A friend on mine lived in a flat without one, and now she has a husband and daughter, living in a house with a water meter, and she says she is saving a fortune, despite going from 1 to 3!

Hope this helps, lots of luck with your flat search

Drea

I'm also single and in a flat by myself (and my cat), I'm paying:

£485 rent
£108 council tax and water
£38 electricity
£34 gas
£30 phone/tv/internet

Can't think of what else you'd need to know right now lol.

crafty*kate

Thanks Jen and Drea.

Looks like the gas/electric will be similar to what I am paying now, in our 2-bed house. As for other costs, I will just have to make sure I am not on the phone too long!

moz86

I live in a 1 bedroom house. My costs are:

Rent - £525
Council tax - £94
Virgin Media (Tel, internet + TV) - £35
Contents insurance - £7.88
Tv License - £11.31
Electricity DD (dont have gas) - £40 (though I am in £70 in credit)
Water - £15 (ish)

Total - £728.19

This is inclusive of 25% single occupancy discount on council tax.

PasturesNew

I rent a studio flat, rent + council tax obviously, then:

£40 - electricity
£40 - water (I had them put a meter in, so £12 now, but many flats are fixed)
£17 - broadband
£11 - BT landline
£12 - TV license
£10 - contents insurance (my friend got quoted £20 for a 1-bed flat in Leeds, same company)
====
£130