Moving into a new home! *update on last page*

LadyMorticia

First off, we live with DH's parents at the moment but we've just been successful with our bid to move into one of the new HA homes that have been built into the village! (Those who know me from The Arms will know how much this means to me).

It's a one bedroom flat. First floor. Not ideal as I have alot of mobility problems but at least I'll only have to go down the stairs to go out, rather than here where I have to go down them for all manner of things!

Anyway, because this will be our first time living together in our own home, I was wondering if people could help with a list of things to buy? I know the basics but there might have been some things that I hadn't thought of.
I have lived on my own before but that was a few years ago and I had various support workers helping me with things

Any help r.e. non-material things but things like gas,electricity etc would help as well.

Basically, any help at all about things to buy for a new home and any help with regards to what to do when we first move in etc.

I know there was a thread on here where somebody was in a similar situation to me but I can't find it.

I wasn't sure if this belonged here or on the housing board but they scare me a bit over there.:o

McKneff

First of all, congratulations, I bet you are so excited.:j:j:j

First and foremost is a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk and sugar.

Keeps you going while sorting things.

Cleaning things, cloths, stardrops.

Depends what you have already really, and I'm sure parents will help out enormously.

Good luck with the move.

Annie

LadyMorticia

McKneff wrote: »

First of all, congratulations, I bet you are so excited.:j:j:j

First and foremost is a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk and sugar.

Keeps you going while sorting things.

Cleaning things, cloths, stardrops.

Depends what you have already really, and I'm sure parents will help out enormously.

Good luck with the move.

Annie

Thank you.

We don't really have anything, to be honest, and I wouldn't count on the parents helping but that's purely because they don't tend to hoard household things so don't have any to give us and they're struggling for money at the moment, otherwise I'd know they'd help.:)

Looking forward to getting away from here to be honest, just because living with the in-laws can send me barmy sometimes.:o

nearlyrich

Have a look on FreeCycle it's amazing what people want to give away.

pavlovs_dog

I found thinking about it in terms of rooms helped, so I wrote a list for kitchen/living room/dining room/bedroom/bathroom&loo.

Why not grab an argos book and go through that to inspire you (not necessarily buying from there, but it will help you draw up a list of what you need and what would be nice to have if funds allow).

we bought our first place just over a year ago - wilkinsons and ikea in particular have been fab for basics. Asda and tescos are also getting better for homewares. There's still loads we need, either because we can't find anything we like or we can't afford the posher stuff! it takes time, but it doesn;t need to be finished to be homely - we spent several years with Oh's parents so i understand how excited you must be about getting away!

as for utilities, what is it that you want help with - budgetting or setting them up?

LadyMorticia

nearlyrich wrote: »

Have a look on FreeCycle it's amazing what people want to give away.

Thank you. I plan on doing that (and Freegle). Need to be MSE wherever we can!

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

I found thinking about it in terms of rooms helped, so I wrote a list for kitchen/living room/dining room/bedroom/bathroom&loo.

Why not grab an argos book and go through that to inspire you (not necessarily buying from there, but it will help you draw up a list of what you need and what would be nice to have if funds allow).

we bought our first place just over a year ago - wilkinsons and ikea in particular have been fab for basics. Asda and tescos are also getting better for homewares. There's still loads we need, either because we can't find anything we like or we can't afford the posher stuff! it takes time, but it doesn;t need to be finished to be homely - we spent several years with Oh's parents so i understand how excited you must be about getting away!

as for utilities, what is it that you want help with - budgetting or setting them up?

I like the idea of doing it by room. Makes it seem all catagorised and I love to do that.

Like the sound of the Argos book too.:)

I love Ikea for cheap furniture and I remember buying some things from Wilkos when I first moved into supported housing a few years ago.

With utilities, it's just setting up mainly. I'm quite good at budgeting. DH has never lived away from home so I don't think he'll know what's hit him.:p

pavlovs_dog

for utilities I took readings from the gas and electric meters the second I got over the threshold! I then simply phoned up British Gas, told them i'd taken over the property, gave them the readings and they set up an account for me. With the water co, unless you're on a meter they just need to know who to bill. You'll need to inform the council tax people too.

gas and elec direct debits were quite high to begin with as they didn't know how much we'd be using. They've cut the payments several times over the year as they're getting a better picture, but we still overpay enough to build up credit to help with the higher winter fuel bills. Tv license is expensive as you pay for the year in advance. same was true of the initial council tax and water bill, so be prepared that your first 6-12 months worth of bills may be higher than what they settle to as you are essential overpaying to get yourself into credit.


shop around for phone/broadband/insurance etc, especially if you are tying into a 12 month contract. plenty of bargains to be had if you shop around .

pavlovs_dog

knick knacks that you forget you'll need

*batteries (aa and aaa for remotes, clocks etc). Smoke alarm may take a d battery as back up
*candles for power cuts
*bulbs - check what type(s) you'll need before hand though
*basic toolkit (screwdrivers and a hammer especially)
*torch
*first aid kit (mine includes cough and flu stuff etc)

LadyMorticia

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

for utilities I took readings from the gas and electric meters the second I got over the threshold! I then simply phoned up British Gas, told them i'd taken over the property, gave them the readings and they set up an account for me. With the water co, unless you're on a meter they just need to know who to bill. You'll need to inform the council tax people too.

Thank you.

The property is a new build and we'll be the first owners so not sure if the meters will already have readings?

gas and elec direct debits were quite high to begin with as they didn't know how much we'd be using. They've cut the payments several times over the year as they're getting a better picture, but we still overpay enough to build up credit to help with the higher winter fuel bills. Tv license is expensive as you pay for the year in advance. same was true of the initial council tax and water bill, so be prepared that your first 6-12 months worth of bills may be higher than what they settle to as you are essential overpaying to get yourself into credit.


shop around for phone/broadband/insurance etc, especially if you are tying into a 12 month contract. plenty of bargains to be had if you shop around .

How high is high?

I used to pay TV license on a DD every month, just because I found it easier that way but I'm not sure if you can still do that.:o

R.e. Broadband. We live in an area that has a really low max speed, but we already know which company we're NOT going with because the in-laws have had nothing but trouble with them.:o

LadyMorticia

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

knick knacks that you forget you'll need

*batteries (aa and aaa for remotes, clocks etc). Smoke alarm may take a d battery as back up
*candles for power cuts
*bulbs - check what type(s) you'll need before hand though
*basic toolkit (screwdrivers and a hammer especially)
*torch
*first aid kit (mine includes cough and flu stuff etc)

Thank you.

I'd forgotten most of that stuff.

askabigail

Hoover, mop, saucepans, microwave, cutlery, crockery, fridge, towells, bedding, beds, and Martin Lewis!!!:)