Cost of heating, and water heating

LH1991

Hi All, 
I am looking to buy my first home (One bed flat), and found a place I really like.
My concern is I will be paying very high Service Fee's. 
The Service Fee includes; looking after the garden, redecorating the halls every 5 years, and boiler repairs. 
It also includes Heating, and hot water.

I wanted to try and work out the usual cost to heat a one bed flat? Also the cost of water heating? 
Obviously I can see my current bills, but I can't work out the percentage cost for heating, and hot water. 

Would anyone be able to estimate the annual cost of heating, and hot water for a one bed flat? 

Any responses would be appreciated. 

Highland76

How much is "high service Fee's"? If its £50/m then thats almost a bargain for what you get in return. If its £1000/m then you're being fleeced. More details please.

Robin9

I recently looked a t a flat and the management fees were £200 a month -  plus electric at say £50 and  gas say £30

dogshome

Is this flat in modern block, as it sounds as though the building has a "District Heating Scheme" - Big Boiler in the basement to supply hot water & heating to all the tenants

These are common in Germany and the users pay a fair price, not so in the UK as there is little Govt regulation, so consequently the owners often have the surname Turpin and ride black horses to work.

Best bet is to find another flat, preferably one with Gas Central Heating and Hot water

matelodave

The problem with service charges is that you have no control over them.
The management companies aren't regulated so they can charge what they feel they can get away with especially when it comes to heating and hot water as this is not regulated in the same way as gas or electricity is.

Gerry1

Search the forum and you'll find many horror stories about district heating schemes.  Any utility where there's no Ombudsman and you can't vote with your feet is likely to end in tears.  I wouldn't even arrange a viewing for such a property.

Worst of all, you can't just move a to a different rental property, you'll have all the hassle of selling and buying, not to mention all the massive costs of so doing.

Just forget that you ever saw the place !

merchcon55

dogshome said:

Is this flat in modern block, as it sounds as though the building has a "District Heating Scheme" - Big Boiler in the basement to supply hot water & heating to all the tenants

These are common in Germany and the users pay a fair price, not so in the UK as there is little Govt regulation, so consequently the owners often have the surname Turpin and ride black horses to work.

Best bet is to find another flat, preferably one with Gas Central Heating and Hot water

Very interesting - this is extremely common place in New York City, where I am originally from. I was not aware that it is common in Germany - thanks for the info

molerat

I lived in Germany in the 80s and our new build estate flats were just along from a sawmill - guess where our heating came from.  They had joined up thinking back then unlike here.

matelodave

We dont have a handy sawmill 

dogshome

Going from memory one of the first District Heating schemes in the UK, was where the heat from Battersea Power Station, (which they were very glad to get rid of ), was piped under the Thames to blocks of flats on the North side of the river with the residents paying a silly money small charge. 

merchcon55

I am sure many have seen either in movies or on visits to NYC, steam coming out of manhole covers in the street. This is because Con Edison (the one utility in NYC) to this day still produces STEAM as a heating source. Similar to the pipes going under The Thames, many pipes underground from the STEAM PLANT directly to various apartments and businesses. Steam escapes from these pipes, which is what you see coming out of the manholes.