First time moving out!!!

nikifm

Title says it all!
I'm 23 and have never lived away from home.
After nearly a year of looking on and off, my partner and I have finally found a place which is in our budget, with all we need [=.
So really - looking for any advice/information/recommendations people can give me about letting a property/moving out for the first time/etcc.
Everything welcome - I like to think I know the basics but there's always more to learn!
Thanks in advance!

couponqueen123

hello good luck with your moving ,

few points i would defo cheack

1. the inventory

2. the contract i would want time to read it

3. all repairs done before moving in (as never get done other wise)

4. a little pot (of oney "just incase" dosnt have to be much but some is better than none

5. cheack the house over /go at day and nite times to see what areas like

the list is endless but im sure its all goingt to be gr8t for you i am on my 4 move and touch wood never had problems as such and hope to keep like this

p.s anything you dont understand on the lease ask about it

motherofstudents

If you have a problem and need the landlord to repair something, it is best if you do it in writing. Make sure if you have gas appliances that the landlord gives you a safety certificate. Hope you enjoy your new home.

twink22

I moved out of my parents home at 22 to rent with a boyfriend and its one of my biggest regrets, now 9yrs on I have finally saved enough for a deposit on my 1st home with my husband, if only I had stayed at home and saved for a little bit longer I could have made this step earlier and saved so much rental money.

If you're set on moving out, (i wouldn't have listened to anyone at the time, god I feel old now!) don't forget to keep some money aside for furniture or decoration if its not furnished, we didn't think about needing a kettle or toaster etc. (luckily friends bought us a kettle and cups as a house warming gift) and we spent out 1st 2 weeks sleeping in the lounge on a sofa bed as we didn't have a double bed between us. Also our 1st shop was huge, we kinda just took all the usual items in our parents cupboards for granted eg salt, oil, pepper, vinegar, spices etc so budget for that.

I still remember jumping up and down in the hall when we got the keys and the LA had left. Hmmm maybe I don't regret it that much....

no1wf

A friend of mine has just had her first anniversary of living in her flat, she planned well for everything was buying 'bottom drawer' items for years beforehand but obviously some things you can't really plan for like the sofa so until they had the money to buy one they did spend a few weeks on garden furniture xD

But the best help they had was from her brother who filled a wash basket (or large bin I can't remember) with food stuff like pasta, rice, tinned things, salt etc I know that would be something I would do, plan as hard as I could for furniture but forget that I'd want to eat lol

grifferz

Make sure your new home has smoke alarms (one per floor) and a carbon monoxide detector. You may have taken these for granted in your parents' homes.

Find out from your neighbours what day the rubbish collection is.

Check that you've updated the council about moving out of parents and your new address for council tax purposes.

Check you've supplied gas/electricity readings to your suppliers.

Have you got your TV licence?

Don't forget you now need your own contents insurance.

Introduce yourself to your neighbours - you don't often strike up a good relationship with them but if you do happen to then it can be very useful.

If you are moving from detached to a flat, semi or terrace then do appreciate that your neighbours will be closer and there is more risk of unintentional noise nuisance.

This may sound silly but we had some first time renters moved out of parents' homes move in below us and at first they were playing loud music and TV at all hours of the night. They claimed they just did not realise that other people would hear it as it was not what they were used to. I am not suggesting you need to tiptoe about, just consider if living arrangements are different. Your tenancy agreement may well have clauses about noise at night etc. and you don't want to fall out with people.

Good luck in your new home!

lawriejones1

23? I left home when I was 17 - best thing I ever did. This is what I've learned from years of experience!

My first bit of advice would be to keep everything. Create a filing system that works for you, and keep every piece of paper and every date. Tenancy agreements, bills, correspondence, manuals, all of it.

You can create a 'house' calendar on something like Google which will stop you missing payment dates on things and remind you of every direct debit, every insurance policy and it really helps knowing where you are and how much cash you have.

Create a house spreadsheet and stay on top of your money.

Do not think that by getting a house everything needs to be new! Gumtree and eBay local have helped me furnish my house cheaply and wonderfully. IKEA or Wilkinsons are good, but go with a list and remember that most people don't need a wok - let alone the 4 we had in our student flat! Parents and friends often have garages full of old pans, cutlery and things that could be of use.

You do not need a 42 inch widescreen TV regardless of how cool they are.

Register to vote at your new address (and actually vote, as this is your country).

ALWAYS pay for home insurance. You will need it and, if you chose the right policy, it gives you the peace of mind you need when moving out. I've been burgled twice, bike stolen and phone stolen too and the insurance has always helped me.

Finally, take pictures of everything when you move in and pictures when you move out. Don't trust most landlords and be pleasantly surprised when some turn out to be fantastic. Get the paint codes for every room in the house and keep the bathroom clean.

And don't have a party in your lovely new place with your 23 year old mates. Seriously, just don't...!

Get a dining room and a table and invite your parents around for a meal and a glass of wine and show that them that you're an adult and that you're grateful for all of those years bringing you up. Get your mum some flowers and your dad some whisky, beer or whatever he likes and say thanks. That's what adults do!

lawriejones1

And, if you're moving in with your partner, then make sure you 'enjoy' every room in the house or flat too.

thegirlintheattic

Make sure you have money saved up for fees (can be several hundreds depending on the EA/KK).

Take meter readings, contact the utilities and change the bills into your name. Easier (and cheaper) to set up DDs if you know there will be money in the account.

Register with doctors, dentists (may be a waiting list) and check that people like your insurers and DVLA have been notified of the new address.

Get contents insurance.

Go to 'warehouse' furniture places or shops like British Heart Foundation. For white goods haggle in store, make them aware you are buying a lot to furnish a house and deals can be done. We furnished our whole house for under £2000 including white goods (all new including furniture).

Get phone/internet put in (and buy a phone handset - we forgot for several weeks).

Make sure you have a vacuum and cleaning supplies.

Fire_Fox

Read your utility meters on the first day (yourself, DO NOT trust the landlord or agent with this task), register with the suppliers and switch tariff to a cheaper one (standard is the most expensive). Then read meters monthly and pass these to the supplier until the first winter is over.

Don't sign anything you have not read carefully, don't trust what letting agents tell you verbally, if it's not in writing it was not said. Report any problems with the property in writing, keep copies of everything even if you can't think why you would possibly need it.

iazcac

I totally agree with the money spreadsheet. I found asda / asda living was best place to get basics - Plates, cutlery etc - decent price but good enough quality to last a few years