Estimated bills for 1 bed flat

claire111

Hi

My 18yr old son is leaving home to start an apprenticeship and I am trying to help him budget.

He has chosen to rent a very small small 1 bedroom purpose built flat (built 1996) and we would like to guess at the bills....

So - Gas fired radiator central heating/hot water, gas hob, elec oven, double glazing, just one person living there, cooking and showering every day, out working M-F 8 - 5 .

We know the council tax and internet costs so it is gas, elec, and water we are unsure of.

Can anyone give any examples at all ??

Very many thanks!

Claire

MovingForwards

Google water rates for the supplier and they should list their annual charges. Although it may have a water meter at the property.

In our old 2 bed flat gas/elec was about £50/60 pm (my OH covered it so I dont know exactly how much it was). But we never used central heating.

Current 2 bed flat we have paid about £35 in elec (pre paid meter) And about £6 gas (max) in the month we have lived here. Water/heating (again heating not used)

His suppliers will work out estimates and as long as he sets up direct debits and provides readings he should be ok.

McKneff

Dont forget content insurance, tv license and above all food....

Robin9

There was a poster this week concerned that her all electric flat was costing £100 a month

One essential is to read the meter when he moves in, takes a photo, rings the present supplier and then switches supplier.

As he will not be used to independent living keep a good track of all his spending - every coffee, takeaway, sandwich and read the meters weekly to get a good idea of what everything costs. Its the odd things which add up the toothpaste, toilet roll, washing up liquid

PasturesNew

Gas, electric, water .... start with £30/week... and see how it goes. Should be plenty ... but he's used to being at home where everything's "free"

welshmoneylover

I would say about £90 to £120 a month

macman

A flat purpose built in 1996 will have a water meter.

matelodave

I'd certainly budget for around £25-30 a month for water if he's on a meter and around £80-£90 for gas and electricity.

As others have said make sure he reads the meters the day he takes over the premises (not necessarily the day he moves in) and send the readings into the supplier and opens an account so he establishes his start readings. He should then be looking for a decent deal on both gas and leccy.

Read the meters regularly and send readings in at least once a month (ideally on the same day - say 1st) and keep his own spreadsheet.

Check on-line accounts to ensure that the readings are being used and get them corrected if not. DO NOT ACCEPT ESTIMATED BILLS.

If he monitors his consumption he'll be able to control it

Bear in mind that he'll use 65-70% of his energy in the five months between November and March and the other 30-35% between April and October. So don't get a false sense of his consumption between now and November/December.

Lots of deep hot baths and 20 minute luxurious showers should also be avoided as they'll ramp up both his energy and water bills.

He should also learn to turn stuff off when it's not being used - something he's probably not had to do whilst he's been at home.

It's mainly common sense but keeping on top of it all will help him be aware and keep to a budget.

luvchocolate

I live in a 1 bedroom flat... semi retired so home a fair bit,
bath every night water meter £15 a month
Gas/electric with first utility (gas central heating) £37 a month with £150 credit at the moment...my heaviest bill was £50 for 1 month last winter.

claire111

Thanks all thats really helpful !!

Claire

Dandytf

1 bedroom flat
Electric only.
Single
Sse DD since £81 per month though prob using 60-65 during summer.
I enjoy small balance before electric storage heaters switch on lat Autum early winter.