Girlfriend in too much debt....

ExNicotineQueen

MrsTine wrote: »

813Anyway... The tenancy contract - I would see if it's something that CAB can have a look at as to my eyes that sounds like unfair terms and conditions - it's certainly not a standard tenancy contract (I used to be a lettings negotiator in a former life...) and I'm not sure if the landlord would have a leg to stand on should she give 1 or 3 months notice... Laws could however have changed since my day so it may be worth trying to get a free 30 minute consultation with a solicitor to have a look at it...

Rental prices... whilst I am well aware that Londinium is far more pricey than most other places I still think it's incredibly high - but it's what we need to work with or find a solution to and that's what you need to focus on.

I live a stone's throw from where the OP's girlfriend lives and I remember when I was looking to move, near enough all the estage agents wanted a 2 year tenancy contract so I wouldn't say it is that uncommon round these parts. Also, I would say the rent she is paying is an average around these parts, it's usually £3/350 per week for a 1 bed flat.

Also, not everyone wants to move from one of the nicest parts of London to say Walthamstow, which when you add in tube times, travelling to work you could be looking at an extra hour, hour and a half journey each way which kind of defeats the purpose of any saving you may make. An extra couple of hours or so stuck on the tube daily is no-one’s idea of fun.

As for her gym, I go to Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre which is a short distance from Belsize Park and costs £44.45 per month and includes unlimited access to exercise classes, swimming pool, sauna, gym. There are no time restrictions, they are open from 6am til 10pm and there is no 12 month contract, it is a rolling month by month basis so no nasty tie-ins. I used to pay £80 pcm and go to David Lloyds and then Esporta just down the road at the o2 centre, neither of which are a patch on the SCLC. If she can get out of her contract, this would be half of what she is paying now and definitely an option worth looking into.

Also if she is goes to the Waitrose nearby, they usually start marking down the reduced items after 6pm

beer_tins

ExNicotineQueen wrote: »

Also, not everyone wants to move from one of the nicest parts of London to say Walthamstow, which when you add in tube times, travelling to work you could be looking at an extra hour, hour and a half journey each way which kind of defeats the purpose of any saving you may make. An extra couple of hours or so stuck on the tube daily is no-one’s idea of fun.

Walthamstow Central is 18 minutes tube ride from Kings Cross, compared to 11 minutes from Belsize park, so you're looking at 7 minutes longer each way. Depending on where she works (line changes etc.) it could be quicker.

Besides, she doesn't have to move to Walthamstow. There are nice areas in zone 2 that are much cheaper. What about South Hampstead, Kilburn, Queens park, Kensal Green? OK, some parts of Kilburn (for example) are dodgy, but you can get a 1 bedroom place in a nice part of these areas for less than half the price.

arambol

No she doesn't use the gym much. In fact at the moment not at all due to work commitments. Maybe once at the weekend, so it's an expensive tie in. We're going to go and see the manager at the weekend and see what we can sort out. It needs to go!!

Council tax is discounted yes but a well spotted suggestion.

She'd be fine moving to another area, she lived in Islington, Wandsworth and Finsbury Park before her present address but her new job is actually in Camden so she's lucked out with the commute as it's just down the road.

I think however it would be the last thing on the list to give up. Moving is a nightmare and it's very convenient for work, plus she's tied in for another year anyway.

If she cuts back on the other things discussed by everyone here I think she will be able to manage the debt quite well and I tell you what... .after all this she better bloody had !

jen_a_c

Just a thought, if you have no luck with the gym manager (and its unlikely they will just let her wriggle out of the contract no problem!), I have seen Gym memberships 'for sale' on sites like Gumtree - sometimes there is a small transfer fee to pay, your GF could offer to pay this as it would save someone a joining fee.

Re. the flat - I kind of agree with the OP here, if there's a watertight contract there really isn't much point in mulling over other cheaper residential options as if it just isn't possible at the moment it's frustrating and a waste of resource. It is worth getting a legal expert to give it the once-over though to see if there are any loopholes. When the contract expires there is clear benefit in moving to a cheaper area - but bear in mind if your GF works late and is walking home (or from tube station) in dark she must still feel comfortable with the area.

Good luck,