first time renting... what should I expect?

rdchick

Hi Everyone...

So, the time has come to think about moving in with my other half... we have never rented or owned anything before... I am moving closer to uni to save money as have to commute nearly 20 miles a day in my car and pay for parking etc which can soon mount up... so...

The rent bit is straight forward... council tax is £75 a month...

for a studio flat how much do you reckon electricity and water would be? let's face it there is only basically 2 rooms to heat and fuel... just wondering if anyone can give me the heads up....

currently selling my car to pay for the deposit!!

Thanks guys xxx

welshy_2002

Congrants on taking the plunge

Water is pretty nominal. It's the electric cooker and mostly the heating (in the winter especially)

Depends on a few factors really. Is the building fairly modern?

My flat is a fair size, 2 bedroom. On the first floor of 5 storeys. More imprtantly it's under 10 years old, so is insulated like a tank. No noise whatsoever. Our average electricity bill is probably 60 a month (economy seven)

In the summer is hardly anything, but the winter costs about twice as much. This is down to the electric heaters, so if you have them, go easy!

We found it best to buy a halogen heater and place it in the lounge.

Hope that helps a bit

PasturesNew

Guesstimate £250 between you (£125 each) for council tax, gas, water, electricity, TV license, contents insurance, landline, internet connection .... if you're careful it'll be quite a bit lower, but £250 set aside each month should cover all the bills as they come in.

rdchick

thanks... we thought about that much it's sooo exciting!! xx

laughingcow81

Hi,

Are you a student? because if you are you shouldn't have to pay council tax. However if one of you is not a student then you will.

Water shouldn't be too much between the two of you - myself and my OH pay about £27 per month in a one bed flat.

Hope that helps a bit!

Nenen

laughingcow81 wrote: »

Hi,

Are you a student? because if you are you shouldn't have to pay council tax. However if one of you is not a student then you will.

Water shouldn't be too much between the two of you - myself and my OH pay about £27 per month in a one bed flat.

Hope that helps a bit!

I think (but check because I'm not 100% sure on this) that if one of you is a student then the other one can claim a discount of around 25% as a single occupier as the student doesn't count for council tax.

laughingcow81

Nenen wrote: »

I think (but check because I'm not 100% sure on this) that if one of you is a student then the other one can claim a discount of around 25% as a single occupier as the student doesn't count for council tax.

That rings a bell with me too - would definitely be worth checking out if one of you is not a student.

clutton_2

read the first sticky thread on this part of teh forum - info for tenants - its all in there

Regshoe

That's correct, did it myself for a year.

Nenen wrote: »

I think (but check because I'm not 100% sure on this) that if one of you is a student then the other one can claim a discount of around 25% as a single occupier as the student doesn't count for council tax.

princeofpounds

take photos when you enter and print with date stamps, so that you have a proper record of condition. Focus on all the faults.

Make sure your deposit is protected.

rdchick

hey guys

yep i know about the council tax... i won't have to pay it but my boy will... however we have fallen in love with a new flat today... that includes council tax so all is brillsomes...

Gas... how much?! roughly... for central heating and obviously cooker too

xxx