little worried about my mortgage and other costs of living

michalp

firesidemaid wrote: »

what kind of heating do you have? i reckon your elec bill will be more than £40 a month - especially in the winter.

I don't know yet. I will move in this Friday 40 pounds is based on uswitch website for economy 7 direct debit Scottish power plan (so its approx 480 per year). I went there a few days ago very early morning (North West) and there was 17C-18C in that flat so I think is well isolated... maybe because is surrounded by other flats.

michalp

BTW all my kitchen appliances are A+ class. I've just bought induction hob.. that should save a few pounds as well.

firesidemaid

i am assuming that as you will be on economy 7 rate you will have some kind of electric storage heaters - they go on during the night (at cheaper rate - check the times of your tariff) and store up heat to give out during next day when they are turned off as such.

make sure you know how they work - as myself and others have had horrific bills o/wise.

michalp

hymm as fas as I remember there are Dimplex electric radiators. I dont think they are storage heaters. How much you pay ?

beecher

I'd expect your bills to be higher than £40/month if it is heated only with electric radiators - they cost a fortune to run.

do you know how much you'll pay in Council tax as that is likely to be one of your biggest expenses.

michalp

beecher wrote: »

I'd expect your bills to be higher than £40/month if it is heated only with electric radiators - they cost a fortune to run.

do you know how much you'll pay in Council tax as that is likely to be one of your biggest expenses.

Its £89per month if I split it to 12 payments

firesidemaid

re. council tax. if you live alone you will get 25% off. if your partner is living with you you will pay the full whack, so to speak.

my electric bill for 2 is approx £50 a month all year and we have gas heating, but electric oven. we have a house, so a few more lights etc. tumble dryers really eat electric by the way.

michalp

anyone got electric heating only?

MORPH3US

Belt-tightener wrote: »

If you own a TV you need a licence as you are capable of watching TV

Can people stop giving the wrong information on this subject, you could costs people money they don't need to pay.

Having a TV does NOT necessarily require a tv licence.

If you do not use the TV to watch broadcast television programmes, you do NOT need a licence despite what the tv licensing people say or despite what their threatening letters say.

Therefore you can have a TV in your lounge (or anywhere else) as an ornament, to watch dvd's on, to play x-box on, whatever. Just as long as you don't tune in the channels / connect it to an aerial then you do not need a licence.

Hope this clarifies the matter.

Oh and if you don't have a tv licence you should expect numerous threatening letters from the BBC / TV Licensing demanding that you buy one and saying they will come round your house to check on you etc.... These are template letters and you have nothing to worry about, as long as your tv isn't connected to an aerial or tuned in if it was connected to one then you are fine. They rely on frightening people into buying one when they don't need one so they can get their fat bonuses.

michalp

yes, they just can't take money from us if we dont use their service. Thats why when I rang them last time I told them to stop chasing me by their letters.... and they stopped.