lodger and heating

lildoonbuggy

ivy92 wrote: »

Glad you enjoy it here! I did notice some more advanced things but in general, accomodations are exortbitant and the conditions (if mine is typical) are horrific! I find Melbourne far better!no offense to Londoners!

Yeah I love melbs, it's definitely one of Australia's better cities. But don't let one bad experience put you off. You are probably being cautious with your cash now, but if you look to move to some of the nicer parts of London (Islington for instance) you will quickly grow to love it. In Melbourne, you have history but not to the density and vastness of London. London was also destroyed and rebuilt twice. No Londoner will tell you London is perfect, but the people there make it one of the greatest places to live (despite the exorbitant cost of everything). I highly recommend trying to find a job at a reputable business or civil service, and very soon you will find yourself with a great big, entertaining group of friends. Once you have that network in place, you will continue to laugh at the ridiculousness of London in the same way you would at your family at Christmas. It grows on you, fast and fierce. Honestly though, if you can afford it just cut your losses because any effort put into this situation is unlikely to pay off, and will probably just compound your stress. When life throws Sh! T your way, do something mental and strike something off your bucket list. You have nothing to lose :beer:

grad101

Whether or not people live like this in Britain is not something that's going to be answered on this forum, as it will differ all over the place. Lots of people live like this because they don't want to spend more on heating; lots live this because they can't spend more.

For the meantime, I would advise the landlady that if she wants to limit the energy use of a lodger she should come up with a more structured way of organising bills, not just 'bills included' and no mention of what the limits are before moving in. You can tell her that you pay for bills with your rent, was not told of any limits before hand - and that's her mistake, and therefore have the right to use energy in a way that's comfortable for you. Just turn the dial up yourself if you can. Other than that, I would advise being more open to layers and more blankets etc. It's not great for the long term, but if you've only got a month left you might just have to suck it up.

For reference, I would have started putting heating on last month, but my flatmates don't want to. We still don't put our heating on at all. At night I wear thermals, 2 jumpers, a fleece, and a big cardigan and scarf just to be warm enough to sleep. And I have a very thick duvet and blankets. I don't agree with this - I want the heating on, but just to give you an idea of other people who also don't want to pay for heating, and how they cope instead (my housemates do the same and they're happy to do that, while I'm not).

iammumtoone

This is not typical for Britain but its not that unusal as well, lots of people live like that, but I would guess those that do dont have lodgers as to live like that yourself is one thing but to inflict it onto someone else is not fair.

What is the rate she is charging you compared to others in the area? If she is cheap and you will have to pay more to live elsewhere then if you are happy there in every other way apart from the heating you could suggest to her you will pay more in the winter months for her to put on the heating. Of course if she is charging the same as everyone else, move.

Her suggestion of thermals is a good one, these can be bought cheaply and do make a diference.

Sarastro

20C is pretty normal.

Smodlet

What a miserable existence it sounds! Reminds me of being 19, unemployed and renting a ****hole in Newcastle; that's just south of the Arctic Circle, you know. Staying in bed to keep warm because I could not afford to put the heating on, not on.

Many of a certain age grew up here without central heating or double glazing but I know of precisely one couple who choose to live without them. Being unable to choose is different, of course. Personally, I am too cold at 19 degrees and comfortable at 20 most of the time. If I want it warmer than that, I turn the stat up. Unless her boiler came off the Ark, there should be no need for a plumber to do that and modern, combination boilers heat water as you use it so there is no tank to run cold and no need to plan in advance. Your landlady probably thinks they should be banned! :rotfl:

Maybe you could suggest she look into getting free solar panels; yes, they do exist. Good luck, OP and I hope you find somewhere with a much warmer atmosphere altogether to stay in our country very soon. Welcome!

Silvertabby

If moving isn't an option, then buy yourself a small oil-filled electric radiator - unlike fan heaters, these are silent and so won't have your scrooge of a landlady battering down your door to ask what the noise it. Just remember to hide it away when you are out of your room.

And practice your 'innocent' face for when she moans about her electricity bill being higher than normal.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152291

For starters.

Swipe

I'd buy an electric blanket regardless and just hide the cable under your quilt when you get up. She's not going to go rooting through your bed linen. Also the power consumption will be so low she won't notice it's on.

Or you could just buy an extra quilt. I have 2 quilts on my bed. I woke up to 7C in my bedroom this morning and I was toasty warm in my bed all night long.