renting unfurnished property

kermitthefrog_3

i'm a student in canterbury, looking for somewhere to live next year, i already had to find my own place for my first year as i didnt get inot halls. i'm moving out of the place i'm in now because basically, the showers rbbish, u either get scolded or frozen to death, anyway i'll get to the point. the flat i'm looking at says its unfurnished, and all it has is a cooker and a hob and plumbing for all the relevent other bits and bobs that would be required, we've got a washing machine we can pinch, but was just wondering if anyoe could advise where to get things like fridge freezers a bed and all the other things needed to live, taking into account we're two students on a low budget!!! need some money saving help, i'm so poor!

freebie_junkie

hehe! im so poor too! it sucks eh?! (my flat didnt even have wallpaper or carpet when i moved in!!)

i got a ex-display models with dings in the side of it and it cost me £400 in total for a fridge freezer, tumble dryer and cooker, and they were all brand new!

go into your local showrooms and ask if theyve any re-furbished or damaged (itll only be cosmetic damage) appliacces and remeber theyll be cheaper for cash

otherwise, have a look in the cards in the local shops as i did once get a washer for £50 through one of them, and in the local paper classifieds section.

your uni might be able to put you in touch with 3rd years who are gonna graduate and will have stuff they will need to sell?

dont forget ebay for local pick-up items

and finally, comet auction off all their old display/returned items on: clearance_comet.co.uk

hope i was of some help!

melancholly

I know people have used freecycle to get things other people don't want anymore. Have a look in the 'shop but don't drop forum' because there have been a lot of threads about getting good value things there. e.g. link to freecycle thread

elaine373

Definitely the free-cycle. If you put an ad in your area for free cycle asking for certain things, i am sure you will get a good response. I once needed a cooker and was inundated with offers. Good luck.

ditzymuppet

You could try the local gumtree?

https://www.gumtree.com


lots of people offering stuff for free, you just need to collect it?

good luck

~ditzy x

zar

Hi! I'm a student in Canterbury too - I rent unfurnished but luckily built up to it. I rented somewhere fully furnished except no freezer so bought one of those then, next place didn't have a fridge so bought that, next place didn't have washing machine... so I have built up gradually, which is much easier than leaping straight in!

Don't forget that once these things are yours so are the bills when they break - you might want to change from student insurance to more general home insurance to cover all the extra stuff for example.

If you really like the flat and are renting direct often the landlord can be helpful at giving you old furniture etc.

There is a freecycle group in Canterbury and you may also want to join the Ashford and Thanet ones. Usually you pick up but if you don't have transport then ask as sometimes they'll deliver for a nominal charge.

I have yet to find a charity shop in Canterbury that sells furniture but I've seen one in Dymchurch I think it was! They can be good places to get the basics.

When I first moved somewhere that didn't have a bed we slept on an airbed for a few weeks til we bought one! I wouldn't recommend it as a permanent solution though.

Bear in mind that you'll have to take/dispose of this stuff when you leave, and if you're renting with friends its best to sort out what will happen with it now especially if you're going halves.

muddled_midget

Failing freecycle, try the uni noticeboard, ours is always full of stuff posted by foreign students who are moving back home and trying to sell off all their stuff before they go. We've bought our washing machine and telly from there.

zar

That reminds me if the OP is still looking and is at the University of Kent rather than Christchuch, there is a local newsgroup on the university system that has adverts on for selling stuff from other students and staff.

kittiwoz

Try the classified ads in your local paper plus Loot, Ad-Trader and Friday Ad which all have websites.

vanoonoo

do you have an emmaus in your area - they are very good for household basics

vanoonoo

also, its worth asking all your family and the families of your friends as people DO often have bits that they are prepared to give away.

I managed to kit out a five bedroomed house that way and the only thing we had to buy ourselves was a washing machine!