new flat problems

darkknight84

dirty_magic wrote: »

You do know that electricity meters charge a standing charge per day too on top of what you actually use? You'll have to budget for that too. £25 per month seems like a very low estimate to me, even for a studio flat. Do you have electric heating? Don't underestimate how much your bills will rise in winter if so.

£1.50 per week standing charge, according to a 3 year old forum.

dirty_magic

It might be cheaper if heating and water are included/not used because that makes up most of our charges. We live in a small 2 bed flat, out most days, and we spend around £40 pm in summer and a lot more in winter because of the heating.

Your situation sounds unusual though, we have full responsibility for all electricity used and we can change the meter and supplier if we want. It doesn't sound like you can do that if you buy cards from the maintenance man!

topdaddy_2

darkknight84 wrote: »

The meter is in the flat, and the maintenance man comes round the flats and sells them. £5 each. No markings except a number 5 on the front, and an electronic brown strip at the back.

This sounds very dodgy. What if you miss him? No leccy? Who supplies the energy? Can you not get prepayments from else where?

darkknight84

topdaddy wrote: »

This sounds very dodgy. What if you miss him? No leccy? Who supplies the energy? Can you not get prepayments from else where?

I could go to the property owners shop and buy them there. I dont have a clue who supplys the energy, and I have not asked about where to get the cards from other than them. I'll ask all this and more on tuesday. The maintenance man doesnt work weekends.

darkknight84

I have just found a giant slug in my room near the fridge and sink. This is a studio flat and where I sleep, I am proper creeped out. I paid £2100 upfront for a six month lease. There was none of these things when I viewed the place... this is just an old damp sh**hole.

suziqqq

I don't like the idea of the landlord selling you electric cards. I would go to the property management company and ask them who their supplier is then call them and ask to be sent your own card and to explain the tariff. Also get them to check there is no debt on the meter, you may be paying someone else's debt.

oystercatcher

darkknight84 wrote: »

I have just found a giant slug in my room near the fridge and sink. This is a studio flat and where I sleep, I am proper creeped out. I paid £2100 upfront for a six month lease. There was none of these things when I viewed the place... this is just an old damp sh**hole.

Try putting salt down around any gaps in the floor/skirting this will deter slugs and slimy things.

It might be worth getting some cheap filler and going round the flat filling gaps to keep the creepy crawlies out. Just make sure it isn't making obvious marks on the woodwork or the landlord may not like it when you move out.

I think you have to class this as a learning experience. The six months will soon pass and you can look for a better place

darkknight84

oystercatcher wrote: »

Try putting salt down around any gaps in the floor/skirting this will deter slugs and slimy things.

It might be worth getting some cheap filler and going round the flat filling gaps to keep the creepy crawlies out. Just make sure it isn't making obvious marks on the woodwork or the landlord may not like it when you move out.

I think you have to class this as a learning experience. The six months will soon pass and you can look for a better place

Great advice, and your right, I will use this as a learning curve.

Thanks to you, and to everyone else who posted.

summerholiday

Flies love fat, fact. Ensure all surfaces, cupboard panels, tops of units, cooker air extractor fans, vents, doors, handles and windows are cleaned of fat residue and dried off with second cloth and maintain this order of cleanliness.

Also get down on your knees and give the floor a proper scrub using a plastic-type scourer, with hot water and detergent, rinse / wipe and dry and finally use Dettol or antiseptic give a final rinse...leave to dry

A lavender plant in kitchen, trim, brush, crush leaves if there are flies around and in general will ward off many insects.

Re: damp I read somewhere that it is possible to buy special bricks which absorb moisture in damp areas