first home for 21 year old son HELP

rising_from_the_ashes

escortg3 wrote: »

No the council tax doesnt include the single persons discount. forgot about that. thanks.

That should knock around £250 off then, bringing it to around £15 / week.

TBH £100/week is a lot more than most people (me incl!;)) have left after all the essentials are paid so, if he's sensible and it does sound like he's thought it through, it looks OK on paper.

fluffnutter

Does he need to pay a deposit, e.g. a month or two's rent up front?

Mrs_Imp

Would he consider a flat share to begin with? That should help with costs and still give him some freedom.

BitterAndTwisted

A young person moving away from home for the first time shouldn't really be looking to live on their own in a flat. It's much too expensive on only £250 a week and if they live alone there's a huge incentive to go out spending money on entertainment. Believe me, living alone, paying all the bills on your own and not being able to afford to go out is miserable.

Also, a place that's only heated by electricity will be very expensive indeed in the winter months.

Most young people get a flat or house-share with other young people and then have others to share all the bills with What's the reason your son isn't considering that option?

fluffnutter

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

A young person moving away from home for the first time shouldn't really be looking to live on their own in a flat. It's much too expensive on only £250 a week and if they live alone there's a huge incentive to go out spending money on entertainment. Believe me, living alone, paying all the bills on your own and not being able to afford to go out is miserable.

Also, a place that's only heated by electricity will be very expensive indeed in the winter months.

Most young people get a flat or house-share with other young people and then have others to share all the bills with What's the reason your son isn't considering that option?

He wants to live alone? I take your point about sharing costs, but there are some people who simply don't want to live with others. If they can afford not to do so, then that's great. There's a lot to be said for only having to clear up your own mess and not having to listen to your flatmates shagging all night.

January20

fluffnutter wrote: »

He wants to live alone? I take your point about sharing costs, but there are some people who simply don't want to live with others. If they can afford not to do so, then that's great. There's a lot to be said for only having to clear up your own mess and not having to listen to your flatmates shagging all night.

I agree with that, plus he clearly can afford it if he will have about £100 left every week and he will be in control of the bills. He could end up sharing with people who leave the lights on all the time, or every appliance on standby, or who like to put the heating on very high.

OP, how long would the contract be? Could he try it for 6 months for instance and then review the situation?

ETA: I only have electricity in my 2 bed flat and it doesn't cost that much: around £50 per month.

Dunroamin

I agree that he'd be better off starting in a flat share rather than spending nearly 50% of his income on living expenses. It's all very well having your own place but not if it means you can't afford to go out much, go on holiday, save etc.

peachyprice

He's a 21yo working man, not a 19yo student, why on earth would he want to live in a shared house when he can afford to live by himself?

OP, if he's got £100 per week left over for non-essentials and is sensible there's no reason why he can't make it work. He sounds like he's taking it serioulsy by doing his homework before hand. The 6 months initial contract is a great idea, he can't get into too muck of a pickle in that time if it's a struggle.

Good luck to him.

escortg3

fluffnutter wrote: »

Does he need to pay a deposit, e.g. a month or two's rent up front?

He has enough savings for the deposit and months rent in advance

BitterAndTwisted

Eh, when that six month fixed-term ends he's be scuttling back home. I have no doubt about that.

In any case, sharing accommodation with other people your own age is character-forming stuff.

I would say that with only a hypothetical £100 a week left over after rent, C Tax , bills and fares are paid out there won't be enough for a half-decent single life. Unless you're an antisocial home-body who never needs new clothes or wants to go on holiday.