Moving to unfurnished flat....help!

chika

When I moved into my first house I was in a similar position. I have to admit I was a bit of a snob and the thought of 2nd hand stuff horrified me ... Until I sat down and worked out that was all I could afford.

I bought my pans and plates from a charity shop for £5, complete set that someone had donated because they had just redecorated and they didnt match!

I understand about not wanting to get your electricals from Car boots, most don't allow them anyway. Argos index and supermarkets all have a range of kettles, toasters, irons etc that cost around £5, you can also pick up a microwave for £25.


Look in your yellow pages for a company that sells graded household appliances. These are brand new appliances that have suffered a few bumps and scratched in showrooms. I picked up my cooker (perfect price £1099) for just £129. It was brand new and was reduced as it had a large scratch down the enamel at the side but as the front is the only bit showing, who cares! You can also get a washer from shops like these.

For soft furnishings beds and other furniture try your free ads. A quick scan of mine looks like the going rate for a double bed is £30 and a cot is £30 too.

Best of luck!

Chika

Savvy_Sue

As the HA have given you a decorating grant I assume you've told them how desperate you are for furniture? If not, do it now, they may know places you could approach for help. There are various furniture recycling projects round here which refurbish and sell things on. Also could be worth talking to your Health Visitor and see if she knows any grant-giving organisations. But freecycle is a good place also!

sertav

Another suggestion is to try your local Salvation Army:

The Salvation Army
01244 316791

Chester Corps St. Anne St
Chester, CH1 3HU

map here

My local one has been very useful indeed. Your HA may have an agreement with them to provide free furniture.

davieb71

although i do not know where you live there is a company working with the local council up here in gateshead called foundation, they provide almost everything for your house except white goods. three piece, pots pans etc and you only pay £5 for the delivery of these goods, you have to be receiving benefit to be able to get anything. ask your council if they have a company similar to this. hope this helps.

ziggy2004

Hi
You should be able to be told what itims you got the loan for as you will not be able to get another loan or grant for the same items from the jobcentre you can try and apply for a community care grant for items you have not allready been given money for bearing in mind that you will only get money for bare essentials e.g bed table chair bed linnen I have known someone to be refused money for curtains as she could use old papers to cover her windows... You can also appeal against the amount of the loan bearing in mind that you can only have a maximum loan of a £1000,- outstanding and that is for crisisloans and budgeting loans combined they will also take your abbility to repay into account. When I first moved into a council house we got everything 2nd hand and everythinh was clean and woorked fine we got it out of a charity shop and allthough I would have preffered to buy new there was no way I was gonna be able to afford it. Good luck

lynzpower

Of course try ebay. I got a bed off there delivered as well for 40! Perfectly acceptable, some of Argos's old stock.

Do scrounge around your mates and family. I couldve got a few bits ( single bed, old chest of drawers pans & plates etc)

Do keep a keen eye on freecycle otherwise I foudn this furniture project in Chester
BLACON
BLACON FURNITURE PROJECT
Helen Whitear, Blacon Community Trust, 4 Maitland Way, Chester CH1 5QT
t: 01244 390344 f:01244 382095
e: helen@blacon.org.uk
they usually deliver, as they know, if your homeless you probably wont have a car!!

Best of luck with it x

mcoletta

You could try and claim a Community Care Grant you need to ask for double because they normally cut this in half, and btw, you dont need to pay this back.

perdita00

Thanks everyone for all the info you've given me. I've managed to find a few things on ebay and got dinnerware from a local charity shop

Someone asked me about the stuff I had when I was with my ex. - We were living with his parents and using their furniture - the cot has to stay at their house as they look after their other grandchild regularly.

Spent the last couple of days decorating the living room - now it only needs a carpet! Then at least baby will be able to play somewhere.

Feels like I'm finally getting somewhere.

mummytofour

Good luck hunni, you can do this! Our local church have a section called oasis part of this service to to provide baby to stuff to those that need it.

Community care grant is worth trying for, you get the form from job centre plus.