Living alone - costs?

Ryanaldo

Hi, I'm going to be moving to England in the coming months and it will be my first time living alone so I am trying to get a grasp on what I should expect to pay?
I'll be staying in a 1 bedroom apartment in Halifax, I shower daily, and will be using electricity roughly 8 hours a day; central heating during winter months will probably about 4 hours a day.
What about council tax? I had never even heard of it so was quite surprised when I read people pay around £120 per month for it on top of rent

I think that's about it on the question front although if there's any other costs involved with renting then please let me know

Cheers.

property.advert

I cam e back to the UK this year so I have some up to date information which may help you.

Council Tax - this is an annual tax which you can pay in 1 installemnt for the forthcoming year or in 10 (not 12) equal instalments starting in April or whenever you move in. The amount varies based on the theoretical value of the property in 1997 or something, even if your property was built afterwards. For a 1 bed flat, perhaps £100 a month for 10 months. If you have the postcode of the property, you can find out exactly how much you will need to pay from the local council.

Your next bill is dependent upon whether you have gas or not. If not, then you will be using electricity and most likely Economy 7 (cheap nightime electricity) to heat storage heaters and to heat your hot water in a tank. You might also have a separate on demand hot water unit for your shower.

Roughly, if you pay your electric (or gas and electric) direct from your bank each month, you can save about 35% against paying every 3 months. I would budget around £50 a month.

Telephone costs are about £10 per month, add £5 per month for free calls. Internet is about £10 per month. You can bundle them together to save and get it for less than £20 per month. Cable TV is usually Sky TV and a good selection is about £20 per month.

For food, if you can cook and like to cook rather than buy in take aways and prepared meals, then £200 a month is fine.

A beer in Halfiax ? I have no idea but perhaps £2.50 each.

Trains are so much cheaper booked on the internet. I guess you know about cheap flights already. Check bus passes if you need to travel.

Student discounts are available for many things and if you live alone, you get 25% off your Council Tax bill but you need to ask for it.

Give up smoking, cigarettes are £6 a packet.

When buying things, there are cashback websites such as http://www.topcashback.co.uk and https://www.quidco.com amongst others. Many retailers have better prices on the net than in the shops. Add in the cheaper prices and special offer ocdes they give out and with the cashback sites, it is not uncommon to get a net 30-50% off some items such as clothing and good discounts off many things.

If you call abroad, get Skype and a Skype Out subscription. You can get cashback for this as well. If you get a mobile on the "3" network, then you can access Skype for free and call abroad for free on your Skype Out subscription to many countries or only one - it depends upon the plan you pick. Skype to Skype is free all the time from your mobile. You can also use Skype on other networks with an unlimited data allowance and a suitable phone.

What did I notice after so many years away ? How expensive some food things are and the lack of many things I used to take for granted when I lived in Asia. Bring some things with you and look for suppliers of things you want in the area you go to before you arrive.

Basically, the UK is expensive unless you have been living in somewhere like Norway. It is cold in winter - 6 months of the year. Food is expensive and often not so good. Good things cost much more money.

Hope this helps but please come back with more questions if you want.

mark5

If your living alone you will qualify for a 25% countil tax discount. (If your a full time student you dont need to worry about council tax!)

With things like phone and broadband you might find you have to pay a connection fee on top of the monthly charge.

Water is typically about £30-40 per month unless your on a water meter when it goes on your usage and varies.

Dont forget to take out contents insurance on your belongings.

Ryanaldo

Cheers for the replys, didn't realise it would be this expensive

Barneysmom

It is a lot, the council tax is for paying for the bins to be emptied and such like. I doubt it will be £120 a month though, as that's what we pay for a 4-bedroom house.

Fire_Fox

I live in Bradford so not far at all from Halifax. A West Yorkshire weekly bus pass is £18, there are discounts if you are a student or work for the NHS or one of the universities. The bus prices are increasing twice a year at present, so it can be cheaper to use the train than the bus for some journeys!

If you are not on a water meter, ring up immediately and ask to have one fitted. If you get a meter you will pay perhaps £20 a month, if they can't fit one you will be given as assessed charged of perhaps £25 a month instead of the ratable value which would be more like £40 a month.

Halifax council tax is around £850 a year for Band A and £1000 a year for Band B properties, of which you will only need to pay 75% if you are living alone so around £50 to £60 a month.

Most flats are all electric - I pay £40 a month but am VERY careful with my heating, look to nearer £100 a month in the winter if you are not. It's only cold four months of the year, not six, and modern flats are very well insulated by the neighbouring units.

If you are willing and able to cook you can eat a healthy diet including meat for £100 a month, if you are willing to go vegetarian and give up junk food you could get down to £60. No idea why PropertyAdvert suggested £200 a month!

Consider not having a landline at all if you use your mobile regularly and don't need unlimited broadband. Landline is £11 a month - I am with PlusNet as no installation charge (over £100 with BT) and no contract (12 months with BT), broadband is £6 a month upwards. Mobile phone contracts start at £5 a month, but it's normal to pay nearer £20.

TV license is £10 a month, but not necessary if you NEVER watch live TV (only BBC iPlayer/ 4OnDemand etc). You really don't need to pay out for a TV package as long as you can get Freeview in the flat (£10 one off for a box).

olly300

Barneysmom wrote: »

It is a lot, the council tax is for paying for the bins to be emptied and such like. I doubt it will be £120 a month though, as that's what we pay for a 4-bedroom house.

Council tax is to do with the council area not the size of your house.

I would be paying the equivalent of £120 a month where I lived in London if it wasn't for the single person's discount, there as when I lived in a 3 bedroom house in a different area the price was cheaper.

Barneysmom

If that was the case why is my neighbour on band B and we're on Band C?

mark5

Council tax is based on the value of the house but the cost varies between different councils.

10yrsoldersaver

Apologies for jumping in.
Firefox, I noticed you mentioned PlusNet for broadband, does this (or can this)include landline calls, Im keen to avoid BT's extortionate charges.(just bought small flat where phone line needs re connecting for internet)phone wont b used much.Ryanaldo Tv license is compulsory if you have a tv connected to an aerial.

HellsGranny

Ryanaldo wrote: »

Cheers for the replys, didn't realise it would be this expensive

Britain's an expensive place to live, you may find food expensive too, depending on where you are coming from.

Cheers, HG