Friend needs help- she is moving out for the first time!

beth.stephenson2009

Hello,

My friend and her partner (27 & 26) are needing to move to Clapham, SW London. They recieve no benefits, and have no children. There combined annual (gross) income is £70,000. They are looking to rent- but have no idea where to start?

They have a budget of £2000pcm, with the view of setting MAX 1000pcm aside for bills (to include: council tax, water rates, electricity/gas, internet, phone, TV, Oyster card charges (£160 a month each) and food bills.

Does the rent quoted include bills?? They have been looking on right move- when they email the landlords/agency the only thing that comes back (if anything) is a generic reply of "please contact us to arrange a viewing on 02202004945" so they have no idea?!

The council tax "bands" quotes- are they quotes for the month/annum/quarter?!
There are figures I have found for them:



Band A B C D E F G H Year 2007/08 £791.49 £923.40 £1055.32 £1187.23 £1451.06 £1714.89 £1978.72 £2374.46Yes based on 07/08 figures but all I could find for Clapham council tax rates.

If there is no broadband/Sky installed (which they want) how do they go about getting it? Do they just get a landlords permission, can they just do it, or will it not be possible at all??

Also- does anyone know (roughly) an idea of the water rates for the area? Again, are the quotes for the month/annum/quarter?

Thanks to anybody who can help

Kynthia

When renting a property the rent doesn't usually include bills. The tenant is responsible for their bills and paying council tax. They should also get their own contents insurance.

Once they like a place they should enquire with the council about what banding it is as it's not usually a good idea to trust the agents to tell you the correct information.

Bills such as water rates depends on what type of property they rent, a one bed flat will obviously be less than a three bed house. Also water depends on whether there is a meter or not.

If they want to do anything that involves drilling holes or attaching a satelite dish to the exterior then they will definitely need permission. If it's a leasehold property then the building lease may not allow dishes on the exterior or there may even be a communal dish on the roof. Any permission should be in writing from the landlord as proof.

My mum always told me that your income should be split one third rent, one third bills and one third living and saving. I don't know if that still applies today.

CIS

Once they like a place they should enquire with the council about what banding it is as it's not usually a good idea to trust the agents to tell you the correct information.

The council tax band of any property in E & W can be checked here - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/CouncilTax/DG_10037383

The council tax "bands" quotes- are they quotes for the month/annum/quarter?!
There are figures I have found for them:

For a full year.

rentergirl

This sounds odd, but I am surprised that at their age they don't know this stuff and have never rented before. Just seems strange is all.

beth.stephenson2009

rentergirl wrote: »

This sounds odd, but I am surprised that at their age they don't know this stuff and have never rented before. Just seems strange is all.

My brother is 28 and still lives with my parents? Does that mean hes odd?

No it just means he refuses to pay for someone elses mortgage and he has more money to save up for his own.

Each to their own obviously. I could come out and say something nasty here, but then again....i'm just not that sad.

:rotfl:

J_i_m

Well... With a combined income of £70'000 I think they're going to be pretty comfortable.

But with an income like that... Why not put a deposit down on a place and buy instead of rent?

laura8417

Rent only includes bills if it says so, its rare to be honest. Figures of 1/3 each for bills, rent and saving/everyday things is a good guide I would say. landlines are expected to be added, sky maybe not so.

Notmyrealname

beth.stephenson2009 wrote: »

My brother is 28 and still lives with my parents? Does that mean hes odd?

No it just means he refuses to pay for someone elses mortgage and he has more money to save up for his own.

Each to their own obviously. I could come out and say something nasty here, but then again....i'm just not that sad.

:rotfl:

I would be embarrassed as a grown man still living with mummy and daddy at 28 years old.

You say he refuses to pay for someone elses mortgage giving him more to save for his own yet he's been of working age for 12 years and doesn't have enough? One wonders how much board he pays if any at all.

NeverAgain_2

Notmyrealname wrote: »

I would be embarrassed as a grown man still living with mummy and daddy at 28 years old.

You say he refuses to pay for someone elses mortgage giving him more to save for his own yet he's been of working age for 12 years and doesn't have enough? One wonders how much board he pays if any at all.

Not sure how that helps the OP.

And given the state of the economy and property/mortgage market, I expect there are lots of embarrassed 28-year-olds.