help - I want to move to my own place but can I afford too?

top_drawer_2

hello,

I have applied for a housing association flat and it suddenly occured to me last night that I will have to pay for a TV licence, council tax, bills all on top of rent.

At the moment I am paying £280 a month and I viewed house today which was £295/57 a week (which I cant accept for other reasons). I know that TV licence is £142 ish a year, council tax in Preston is £1054.10 until 2011. I dont know how much bills will be.....

I will also want the internet, I have a mobile so am not worried about a Landline....

Is there anything else I have forgot?

I havent worked it out per week as Im scared...... I want my own place so bad but I currently only work p/t and easrn £105 a week.

Jen

alanalea

Rent
Gas
Electricity
Council tax
Contents Insurance
Car tax
Car Insurance
Phone
Broadband
Food
Mobile phone
Water rates + sewage

We (family of 4, living in Berkshire) pay around £1580 pcm, without spends

Forgot tv licence!- Make that nearly £1600

Fang_3

You can't afford it. Move into a house share. There are hundreds in Preston, but even they would seriously eat into your pay. You need a full time job to even consider it. Is there a reason you can't work full time?

merlin68

You would probably be entitled to housing and council tax benefit on that income. How old are you?

galvanizersbaby

Hi Jen

I live in a 2 bed flat and to give you a rough idea I currently pay monthly as follows:

£30 elec
£45 gas
£44 water rates (I have a water meter and 2 small children so should work out cheaper for a single person)
I too have a mobile but have a dongle included in the package which gives me all the internet I need and currently pay £22 approx a month for this on a contract but I think you can just get a dongle that plugs in to a laptop
BT landline £12
Home and contents Insurance £20

You would get a £25% discount on council tax I believe if you are living alone.

Also have you factored in food? x

the_cat

top_drawer wrote: »

I havent worked it out per week as Im scared...... I want my own place so bad but I currently only work p/t and easrn £105 a week.

Jen

Sorry, but I think you already know the answer.The fact that you don't want to work it out means you kind of know the answer already:(

As a VERY rough estimate - monthly on top of your rent as a bare minimum:
water 40
counc tax 90
gas/elec 60
tv licence 12
insurance 10
phone/broadband 20

total 232, plus rent, plus food, plus travel, plus general living expenses

I wish I could paint a more positive picture, but unfortunately that is the reality in black and white:eek:

GEEGEE8

I rent my own place and it costs £560 a month..

Rent is £325 and it's based on £20 shopping a week, which I always go over!

You need to be earning £600-£700 to be able to afford it really..

top_drawer_2

I already live in a houseshare and Im finding it really really difficult. I am desperate for my own space and some peace and quiet. I currently work 15 hours a week and could work f/t but not for another month or so as I have studying to sort first. I have looked for work up to 30 hours (which I estimate I could do between my studies but nothing has been forthcoming). After my exams I am hoping to find work for 4 days a week as I want to pursue an interest/sideline which I hope to become my career (there isnt another way of doing it).

The housing associate flats are 1 person occupancy only, no partners (not that I have one) and its one bedroom so no room for anyone else (not that I want to swap for another share).

Jen

myothercarisaferrari

my outgoings are similar to Geegee, cept I live on £10 a week food.


Wait until you are earning more then move out. Simples x

Fang_3

top_drawer wrote: »

I already live in a houseshare and Im finding it really really difficult. I am desperate for my own space and some peace and quiet. I currently work 15 hours a week and could work f/t but not for another month or so as I have studying to sort first. I have looked for work up to 30 hours (which I estimate I could do between my studies but nothing has been forthcoming). After my exams I am hoping to find work for 4 days a week as I want to pursue an interest/sideline which I hope to become my career (there isnt another way of doing it).

The housing associate flats are 1 person occupancy only, no partners (not that I have one) and its one bedroom so no room for anyone else (not that I want to swap for another share).

Jen

The only way you'll get your own space is if you pay for it yourself. You need to work full time to afford that.

I know Preston very well and on the income you have you are not going to be able to afford to live alone. You'd struggle badly in a two person share. Even if the taxpayer was to fund some of your rent and council tax you still wouldn't be able to afford it.

What you want and what you can afford are very different, and you're going to have to accept that.

top_drawer_2

What I really need is a 4 day (32 hours) a week job at around £6 p/hr, that would get me around £192 a week ..... £768 a month. I have applied for EVERYTHING which is conpatible with appox this and so far no luck, I really hope it get better after my exams as I honestly dont think I can bear to continue sharing a house........ I never get any peace and quiet as one housemate in particlar is SO noisy, everytime I want to do some cooking someone else starts doing theres too, I cant even put water in the kettle without keeping my hand on it because someone will use it before I turn round. The noisy tonight is terrible as she has holidays and is off out again; she's getting ready with her friend and crashing around upstairs, banging doors, music blaring out ........

I just cant see an end to it all.