Advice Wanted Re Furniture + Deposit

INAMESS

Hi following on from a previous thread,ive had to leave my parents so am getting a flat, have sold my car, and bought a cheaper one, the chances are i will not be able to afford any of my debts once in the flat so will have to go BR in a few months, i need to use some of the money from my car sale to furnish the flat, can anyone tell me what would be classed as essential items that i could buy ok without the OR having a problem with it when i go BR? Also i borrowed some money off a member of my family to use as a deposit for the flat, i paid this a few weeks ago before i sold my car, now i have sold my car and got some money available can i take the deposit out of that money to pay the person back? Hope this makes sense.

skylight

That all sounds fine. Selling a car is not a problem, but you must have sold it for full market value and not "cheap" to anyone.

Buying furniture is not an issue - and essentials are the usual I guess; bed, washer, cooker, fridge. Have you tried Freecycle?? Ebay?? http://www.localbargainfinder.co.uk/ This one is great as it sorts out all the items local to you on Ebay that are collection only making bigger items easier to find.

As to the amount ADVANCED to you from a family member for the rent - remember to term it as an advance based on the car sale; it is not a loan nor have you borrowed it. You don't want your OR thinking it was a loan that should be included in your BR.

mollyp

I am looking to do the same as you, and didn't want to get into trouble. The insolvency service helpline told me that I would be ok, as long as I had all the receipts etc for everything I paid out. They said white goods were an accepted necessity as was basic furniture, the only sticking point was a lawn mower ( I view as essential as have to maintain appearance of rental property so as not to get kicked out!!) they said wasn't essential, but I'm willing to risk arguing over £60 with the OR!! You can also pay your BR fees out of what's left.

INAMESS

Hi so would things like plates, cutlery, curtains etc be ok to buy out of the car money too? Have already got myself a cheaper car also, i paid £1750 although this included a service, MOT and 30day warranty, so when it comes to declaring the value of it surely i should declare less than what i paid because £1750 isnt the true value?

affluenza

I would have thought anything to maintain a basic standard of living, cleanliness, security, warmth and privacy. Just use common sense.

So a 42" flatscreen tv, or satellite or half a dozen games consoles of varying types might not be deemed necessary nor would a massive spending spree on a holiday go down well with the OR.

INAMESS

Some people say its ok to buy new and others say you shouldnt, any views on if its ok to buy somethings like a settee and a bed new as long as its reasonably cheap? After looking into buying used i think that by the time you have got a 'man and van' etc to pick these large items up it wouldnt work out that much cheaper than buying new anyway? What would be a reasonable cheap new amount to pay for a settee and bed the the OR would see as ok? £200 each item?

INAMESS

Hi any ideas on my above post? Struggling to find anything decent second hand bed and settee wise is it ok to buy new out of the money i made on my car? Thanks

skylight

You've answered it yourself! If you cannot find anything suitable then new it will have to be. I don't think the OR will complain about an Argos sofa but he may complain with a Laura Ashley one at full price!!!

Its all about being realistic. £200 on a bed may be a bit low as you need it to last after all - you do spend a third of your life on/in it. £1200 on a bed is a bit over the top.