No kitchen.. Hrm.

Morganarla

Once again, I am moving house. Joy! :eek::o

I've found a super cheap place to rent above a shop, right by my new (hopefully) place of work, but here's the catch...

It doesn't have a kitchen....:eek:

It has been tenanted for a while, and the agent (while being quite honest and saying that they wouldn't do it) says that the tenant has a stand alone small cooker and goes to laundrette for washing. They do dishes in the bathroom.

It is half the price of other rental in the area, which would help me out significantly, I would be out of debt super quick and able to save so then enabling me to move on to another property after a while.

Question is - is this dodgy? I can't help but think that it's office space turned into a 'flat' or suchlike and without permission or...

Second - would you do it, have no real kitchen? I love my slow cooker and am quite versatile when it comes to cooking but would it become hell after a while? The savings really do appeal...

Opinions or advice welcome, viewing it on Tues...

Ellie007

Honestly? I probably would, if it is a means to an end. I guess it depends on how short-term it would be.

If it means being debt-free and moving somewhere you want to be a lot, lot quicker then I would be tempted.

I have lived without a kitchen before when refurbing, and while it was a pain in the ar*e, with a microwave and either a little stove, or slow cooker, you can still eat perfectly well, if slightly limited. Depends if you like to have lots of guests I guess (the washing up in the bathroom is the icky bit IMO!).

And also depends how decent the rest of the flat is. If it is depressing in general, then maybe not.

Morganarla

Wouldn't be having guests except family every now and then, and they'll eat what they're given! OH would be there part time due to job, and suspect he'd wouldn't be too fussed about eating limited stuff..

I do have an electric hob/oven.. Can they be plugged into normal wall sockets without any trouble? Or do they need special plugs? Because then I could use that...

The agent admitted it wasn't in the best shape, but not falling apart or anything. If it's really grotty I can give it a lick of magnolia, no problems there.

I have washed up in the bathroom before, and tbh it encouraged me to clean the bath more so maybe it's a good thing haha!

DaftyDuck

If you are going in eyes wide open, why not? Work out what you save over the time, and what more you will get for your money when you leave.

Nowadays a microwave with oven & grill isn't much money, and you could also consider a halogen oven (although a microwave would be more versatile). Slow cookers you know about... great things! What about visiting a few online caravannng sites... what do they sell for small spaces. How much is a small worktop dishwasher... is there space for one and water/drain (probably not, and probably not worth it).


Warmer weather is coming (or so they lie), so you won't need hot roasts all the time. You say you are versatile when it comes to cooking... so how about writing down ten easy meals you can cook (and some you can make without cooking a thing)... that should be a fair variety, given a bit of rotation.

Mind out though... temptation to eat out/ get takeaway will eat into your savings budget very quickly.

Is it dodgy? Quite possibly.... and I don't know if that matters. Check safety carefully... fire risk, security, that kind of thing.

Would I do it? When young, yes. Now that I'm old, creaky and need my food mashed up nice and small ... maybe not!

Edit
Microwave oven & grill £99

... there may well be cheaper... that was teh first that popped up!
Well, like... also at Argos...

JimmyTheWig

I agree with Ellie007, that I'd do it if it was a short term measure. 3 months tops, I'd say.

EmmaHerts

May I recommend http://www.belling.co.uk/baby-belling/baby-belling-mini-kitchen-mk318/

What about drinking water?

Cisco001

If you are on your own with no child. I think it is fine.

Kastanie

I would've done this when I was younger to save some money. See it as just temporary and the start of the way to a better, debt-free life. Check the practicalities - fridge, safe place for food storage, bin, fire extinguisher etc. I lived for a couple of years in a "flat" equipped with only a hob, microwave and tiny fridge - would definitely not want to be without a fridge of some kind.

Cisco001

EmmaHerts wrote: »

May I recommend http://www.belling.co.uk/baby-belling/baby-belling-mini-kitchen-mk318/

What about drinking water?

I assume OP can't just turn on the tap to drink water. Probably need to boil it before drinking.

PHARR

You seem to be going in with your eyes open so there would be no hidden surprises. You know what you have and don't and like mentioned you can live without for now. Halogen cookers and a microwave-oven along with a fridge can be sufficient enough whilst you become debt free and earn enough for future time. Why not.

Maybe worth checking if bathroom water is suitable for drinking? Thats about it.

Morganarla

DaftyDuck wrote: »

If you are going in eyes wide open, why not? Work out what you save over the time, and what more you will get for your money when you leave.

Based on what I'd pay for a 'normal' rental in the same area, I can save 300pcm minimum based on rent reduction alone. Over one year that's 3600, six months of 'normal' rent!

Nowadays a microwave with oven & grill isn't much money, and you could also consider a halogen oven (although a microwave would be more versatile). Slow cookers you know about... great things! What about visiting a few online caravannng sites... what do they sell for small spaces. How much is a small worktop dishwasher... is there space for one and water/drain (probably not, and probably not worth it).

No plumbing whatsoever except in bathroom apparently.. I have a microwave, but I'm wondering can I plug in a standard oven/hob into a normal socket? Because I have one of those and if space isn't too much of an issue I would prefer that! Good point about the caravan stuff though..


Warmer weather is coming (or so they lie), so you won't need hot roasts all the time. You say you are versatile when it comes to cooking... so how about writing down ten easy meals you can cook (and some you can make without cooking a thing)... that should be a fair variety, given a bit of rotation.

Mind out though... temptation to eat out/ get takeaway will eat into your savings budget very quickly.

That's very true.. Would have to be quite strong, but don't think it'd be too hard as not a big take out person.

Is it dodgy? Quite possibly.... and I don't know if that matters. Check safety carefully... fire risk, security, that kind of thing.

Good points.

Would I do it? When young, yes. Now that I'm old, creaky and need my food mashed up nice and small ... maybe not!

:rotfl:

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I agree with Ellie007, that I'd do it if it was a short term measure. 3 months tops, I'd say.

it'd be more like a year..:eek:

EmmaHerts wrote: »

May I recommend http://www.belling.co.uk/baby-belling/baby-belling-mini-kitchen-mk318/

What about drinking water?

Drinking water I guess from the bathroom sink? We use filter jugs so can have them resting on a surface ready to be used. Is water from the bathroom not safe to drink or something? I've always drunk from the bathroom tap and not died yet!