Realistic estimates of bills for a 1 bedroom flat - South London - Living alone

j4messs

Hi

I'm currently living at home and looking to start saving more and work towards moving out

I just need to know how much bills will be roughly so I can plan and budget based around my current income and outgoings

water, electricity, heating, internet and phone, council tax, tv licence ect

exiled_red

Too many variables to determine accurate costs.
- TV Licence is fixed price £145.50 a year
- Council tax you will need to find out the property band and cost from the local council (if you live alone you could get a 25% discount)
- Internet and phone will depend on your requirements and what packages you can get based on supplier speed etc
- Water depends on whether the property is on a meter or has fixed rates
- Gas and electricity depend on how the place is heated, how hot you want it to be and therefore how much you use. Heating will depend on how good the windows and doors are etc.

Cornucopia

TV Licence - as above, though it is possible to not pay (legally).

Council tax - anything from £75 to £175 per month or more, depending on property band and Council area.

Internet & Phone - packages vary depending on supplier & usage, but a good MSE estimate would be £20-30 pm.

Water - maybe £10-25pm depending on company & usage - based on a Metered supply.

Gas/Electricity - maybe £50-75pm based on a reasonably efficient newish build with Gas central heating.

jcaow

I can give you an idea of what I paid in a one bedroom ex council flat on the top floor of a purpose built 60s block.

I was in Wandsworth borough and the flat was council tax band B so I paid about £50 pcm. I pay 3x more now that I live in Lambeth (but in a house and a different band) so borough and band are key to knowing this cost. Wandsworth is very low.

I paid about £20 electricity and £20 gas pcm each (gas central heating) which I think is fairly low but the flat benefitted from heat from the flat below, good insulation and double glazing.

I got a water meter fitted and paid £120 pa after that but I think it was about double before that.

I can't recall internet/landline etc sorry.

I would also include contents insurance if you are renting and possibly service charge (this may be included in the rent). The latter will vary according to the particular flat.

Dird

And of course the £1.2k+ rent per month ;x

sparky130a

Dird wrote: »

And of course the £1.2k+ rent per month ;x

This. The bills aren't the main concern. South London generally attracts very high rental figures. That should by far be your biggest consideration.

hazyjo

Don't forget groceries, etc - can be far pricier than what you expect. Also travel costs (car/public transport), and any TV packages you want (eg SKY).

Jx

dirtycredit

MONTHLY:
Rent £1200 (just had a letting agents quote as I'm thinking of renting my flat out) - it's a 1 bed on a council estate zone 4 (north) where the rent is MUCH cheaper than trendy areas of sarf laaandaan!!)
council tax £95 (with a 25% discount)
Tv £12.12
gas & electric £50 (I pay £36 a month because I'm currently skint and do not turn heating ever so it's a conservative estimate)
Water £28
sky (basic),internet, phone £46
Travel - to zone 2 = £120 (not a travelcard..just a basic A-B rail train ticket. Tube is way too expensive and if it's a bus journey i just walk)

zagubov

Got to say, moving into a shared flat is probably a more realistic goal. I'd check your workplace noticeboard, ask all your workmates, friends and other contacts. I've never lived by myself in South London. It's usually not affordable, especially if you want to start putting money away for a deposit.