Thinking of moving out into 2 bed Flat

dboughtwood

Hello all again my best friend and i are looking to move out for the first time and have narrowed it down to two flats, close to work and other things. The thing is we want to try and get rough figures of what we can expect bills to be like gas, electric, water, etc to make us totally work everything out roughly and see how much its likely to cost basically.

the rent will either be £575 a month or £600 depending on what 2 bed flat we go for. We know contents insurance about £12-£20 a month i m guessing, TV license £142.50 a year, council tax band A (dont have a clue prob £100 a month)

so if anyone can help that would be much appreciated and its in the cambridgeshire area if that makes any difference.............

poppysarah

The EPC should give an idea of bill costs for gas/elec

MarsdenCuckoo

Bit of a 'moveable feast' really i.e. depending on the actual size of the flat, whether it's a new-build (with good insulation) or older flat, form of heating (central/underfloor/electric/oil) and your utility suppliers, whether your water is metered, etc. etc. However, in the interests of 'starting somewhere'.....

TV License is currently £36.12 per quarter (if you wish to ease the cost through rather than pay 12 months in advance - wouldn't suggest you pay monthly as it may get confusing when you move out as you tend to always be 'ahead' by 6 months)

For a well insulated newly built, 85 sq.m. flat, underfloor heating by gas and metered water the monthly costs (all paid via direct debit) are in the region of:

Gas (Scottish Power) £20
Electric (EDF) £30
Water (SW Water) £20
Contents Insurance £9
BT (Tel) £20 (New connection therefore compelled to connect via BT for initial contract)
BT (Internet) £15.64
Council Tax - you should be able to find out exact figures for each of the flats you're considering by going on your local Council website

Hope that helps!

Christine

PS: One tip, which is even more important when considering moving into flats is noise from neighbours. Visit both flats as often as you can at as many different times of the day/night as you can before you make your final decision. What seems fine during the day may become a nightmare at night because of local bars, communication links, etc. etc. - not to mention your neighbours living above, below and either side of you....

sarah_elton

We're in a two bed flat. Our monthly outgoings are:

Rent - £560
Council tax - £115 (only paid 10 months of the year. Look at your council's website - they should have a price list for council tax, 2 bed flat is likely to be a Band .
Electricity - £85 (average monthly cost over the year - our winter bills are as much as £400 for the quarter due to heating, summer down to £100 for the quarter)
Water - £45 (no meters grrr)
Sky - £58 (for Sky TV, phone line and calls, and broadband)
TV License - £12
Home insurance - £12

Then we've each got our mobiles and we spend about £150-200 a month on food, but it's possible to get that down a lot lower.

Fire_Fox

Electricity bills can be got right down or sky high depending how free and easy you are with the heating and hot water: I am very frugal and our DD is therefore £34 a month year round. BT have a free line installation offer on at the moment which will have you £120 but you will need to sign an 18 month contract. We have managed here fine with mobile phones (free calls to landlines in package) plus mobile broadband (£15 for 15GB with Three).

dboughtwood

thanks very much for the rough guides and we have decided not to go for sky for the first few months and just have freeview and the internet with a phone line but no phone as such lol. we are going to see the two flats we like again this week but later on at night to get a better idea of neighbours etc but opposite us is a single mum with a 4 yr old so wont be to bad lol.

as this is the first time of moving out properly what are the rules about putting curtains up, shelves things like that really???

Fire_Fox

dboughtwood wrote: »

as this is the first time of moving out properly what are the rules about putting curtains up, shelves things like that really???

Tenancy agreements usually forbid you making any structural alterations or minor additions that affect the fabric of the flat without written permission. Expect not to be able to affix anything to the walls with nails or screws, and not to be able to redecorate. If you do you will have to put the property back as it was, so fill all holes and paint over: in practice it is nigh on impossible to get the same finish and you will likely lose some or all of your deposit. Don't use blue-tak as it leaves an oily stain and don't use sellotape as it rips paint off. Note that adding a Sky dish will require the written permission of the landlord/ letting agent AND the freeholder/ management company as it is the building that is being damaged.

AndyHorne_2

Hi there found a great site here with loads of information on curtainscurtainscurtains.co.uk

• curtainscurtainscurtains.co.uk/measuring-for-your-curtains-hid225.html
• curtainscurtainscurtains.co.uk/made-to-measure-curtains-cid1.html

I hope this helps and you get settled into your flat quickely.

Regards Andy