First tenancy as a 'grown up'...completely clueless!!!

immortaljaz

Hi fellow moneysavers!!!

Well, after graduating in July I've been accepted on a masters course part time, have a job and have found a flat.

There are many problems with this, one being I do not understand council tax at all. I've pored over the literature on the Leeds council and Direct Gov websites, but still have a few questions, if you'd be able to answer them? I understand that as the sole person living there I can get a 25% discount, but my questions are:

- Is the amount on the Leeds website yearly/monthly/quarterly??
- Should I get in contact with the council now to inform them before I move in?

Also, while I've looked at internet/phone line providers I was wondering if there are any people on here in LS6, and if they could tell me at all who they were with, and how much they pay? I've no interest in getting a television, but am considering that as I'm living alone a phone line might be nice

The last question is...are there any people here who have applied for a personal/professional career development loan? I will need one to help with my fees, and have the application ready to go, but am still waiting on my confirmation letters as I was a bit late in the game (had no clue what to do after uni!!!) If you'd be able to tell me things like how quickly your application was processed and anything pertinent that I've no doubt no clue about that would be so helpful. I should be starting in October, so I'm a little worried about receiving the loan in time

Wow I really am clueless, lucky I've got this website! :money:

Thank you all in advance!!

xxx

Mrs_Imp

Regarding the loan - it depends who you are with. My loan was sorted out pretty quickly once I had all the proof they needed - acceptance on to the course and proof that the course would enhance my career development (I got a letter from my employer for that bit).

However, it was downhill from there on. The first payment was late. I had to phone the bank in the afternoon, and they claimed that it was normal for payments to go in the in the afternoon. The second payment was 2 days late and arrived after a phonecall from me. The excuse this time was that it was due on a BH, which would delay it by a couple of days. Payment 3 I stupidly assumed would go in so I didn't check. After my card was refused over a week after it should've gone in I checked my balance and discovered that it hadn't gone in. Called the bank and they said that it could take 48 hours longer to go in, so I asked what they expected me to do about food and petrol until then (no answer at all, wouldn't even extend my overdraft to help).

Anyway that long ramble was to say, keep an eye on your loan payments, and make sure you can adjust repayments should your financial situation change (I was told this was possible, but they refused when it came to it).

Council tax - you're best calling your council and writing them a letter explaining your situation. You may need to prove that you are living alone - I did.

Yorkie1

Re the council tax amounts, they will be the annual cost.

This is the link for the 2010/11 charges:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2010/9/counciltaxcharges20102011(1).pdf

So, if the flat is Band B, the cost is £1016.80 per year. You will complete a form claiming single occupancy discount of 25%, which brings it down roughly to £750 per year. You can usually arrange to pay in instalments although it may be spread over 10 months of the year rather than 12, if you pay by direct debit. Obviously it will be pro-rata'd for this year.

As for when to tell them, I'd give them a ring and ask - but after you've moved in would make more sense. They'll send you a form to complete in which you give them your dates of moving etc.

You mention a TV. Bear in mind that you'll need a TV licence if you have a laptop capable of receiving live TV transmissions, even if you don't have a TV itself.

Mrs_Imp

A TV licence is only required to receive TV signal as it's being broadcast live. You can watch via the internet after the event. They've made that a bit clearer on their demand letters.

Many computers have TV capabilities, but if you don't use it you don't pay for it. Same with having a TV - as long as you only watch pre-recorded videos and DVDs you don't need a licence. For safety, make sure no aerial is plugged in to it though.

clutton_2

"You may need to prove that you are living alone - I did." -

how did you do that ?

BitterAndTwisted

Yorkie1 wrote: »

So, if the flat is Band B, the cost is £1016.80 per year. You will complete a form claiming single occupancy discount of 25%, which brings it down roughly to £750 per year. You can usually arrange to pay in instalments although it may be spread over 10 months of the year rather than 12, if you pay by direct debit. Obviously it will be pro-rata'd for this year.

My own Local Authority allow you to make 10 equal installments (with the last one being made at the beginning of January) whichever payment method you choose. I expect the OP's LA probably operate in the same way.

PasturesNew

To prove I was living alone, I just had to sign a form to say I was. Nobody's ever questioned me on the matter and I've always lived alone.

olly300

PasturesNew wrote: »

To prove I was living alone, I just had to sign a form to say I was. Nobody's ever questioned me on the matter and I've always lived alone.

Most councils double check with the electoral roll.

BTW OP make the electoral roll forms for this year are going out now. However you may of missed getting one as mine came 2 weeks ago. I suggest you contact that department of the council to see if they have already sent them out.