Renting - First Time Help

Madglover

Hello All,

First time poster long time reader. I'm in need of a bit of general help myself and my girlfriend are moving in together within the next month once she graduates. She has a job lined up while looking for a grad role.

I am currently in a house share and I pay £600 a month bills and rent (which is fine) we've looked at getting a 2 bed property probably in the £750-£850 region which is obviously just rent I'm assuming bills to be around £250 does this seem fair. My calcs

Council Tax £100
TV License £12
Water £30
Gas and Electric £60
Sky (I can't help it i need my sports channels) TV Broadband and phone found a groupon offer which makes this £50

First question is are those assumptions ok. making out total costs in the £1100 region.

My next issue is I have been in house shares for the 3 years I've been out of my parents since uni and the same in uni meaning I've never really seen agency fees as I've normally dealt with landlords.

a lot of the places charge £300+ and inventory charges and renewal contracts of excessive amounts.

Next question is there a way around them as the fees compared the work required seems a bit of a con a very small amount of printing and a credit reference check (which I could get myself for about £50)?

Also, is there a full property equivalent of spareroom where I can deal with actual landlords rather than letting agents as I'd realistically be looking to buy in 2 years so I'd want a property I can agree to a 6 month let and then assuming I like it have something more informal so I can have a bit of freedom when it comes to buying?

How does this work?

Sorry for all the typing but I just can't bring myself to waste money unless I really have to. Any help I would appreciate.

Pixie5740

Will your council tax only be £100 a month?

What about contents insurance?

Not a clue about water because I live in Scotland and it's sort of included with the council tax.

Gas and electricity. Depends on the type of property. The efficiency of the heating system. How warm you like your home. As an example, my combined gas and electricity when I lived in Glasgow was £36. Modern flat, well insulated and a nice shiny new condensing combo boiler. Moved to Aberdeen and my gas bill was £97. :eek: My home wasn't any warmer than down the road but it was a granite building with a very old boiler.

Madglover

Council Tax wise, pretty much talking around £1200 for a 2 bed flat around here so if they charge 12 monthly then yes a little bit more in parts but over the year £100 yes.

I guess we are fortunate that it is very warm around these parts I haven't had the heating on since Feb/March but yes I'd look for a place with good insulation. I think if anything electricity might be my bigger issue

In_For_A_Penny_2

That looks about right but will depend on where you live. Very similar to mine though our conical tax is a bit more.

I'm currently renting a 2 bed flat in S.England. Worth checking the council tax band in advance. Gas/electric will vary hugely throughout the year - ie you might not have heating on from circa March to October.

Madglover

Yeah I felt more confident over the bills, did you pay much in agency fees?

Thats the bit that concerns me it seems to be a never ending charge