House with EPC rating E - how to keep the house warm without spending a fortune?

lisyloo

Peggy0628 said:

lisyloo said:

I don’t wish to be harsh but if you have little savings (no deposit) then it sounds like you maybe living beyond your means

I'd like to clear this up.
The reason I have no savings is that I have recently broken up with my boyfriend of many years. He was the one sorting out all finances (bill payments, choosing providers etc). When he moved out, I was left with the house, the pets and all bills that go with it and an empty bank account. I'm almost 40 and starting from scratch. I am earning enough money to pay bills (I have a tight budget and the numbers work out) but I have no saving as I have simply not been able to put anything away yet. I may be able to get some extra hours at work later in the year (when we need cover for people's holiday) but at the moment, there is no overtime available.
It's a huge shock to the system when you find yourself alone after many years and have to figure everything out on your own. I'm not using it as an excuse but if the break up happened in the summer, I would probably be in better situation now (because I'd have more time to save some money before the winter bills arrived). Unfortunately it happened just as the energy prices went through the roof. I was hoping I'd be able to buy a car sometime soon (so I could look for a better job further away or getting a better place while keeping my current job) but if the energy prices continue going up, it would take me years so save up enough for even the cheapest used car (plus insurance, car tax etc).

It understandable that your circumstances have changed.
there was no judgement implied.

however you need to get to the bottom of whether you can afford this same lifestyle next winter.
bills have not yet risen, they are going up 54% in April and possibly more in October.

i would be budgeting.
will the likely overtime cover the extra bills next winter?

you need to know whether you can afford this after price rises.

Good luck

markin

QrizB said:

markin said:

For many years we was always able to find a £150ish banger with 6month to 12 month Tax & MoT, look at local adds.

Have you seen the used car market at the moment? I was offered more than that when I scrapped my last car. Also tax hasn't been transferrable since 2014.

I'm sure london rates makes it more like 300 anyway, But with the heating off she will quickly save up 500.

badmemory

If you have doorways & windows etc which would benefit from an additional curtain, remember it doesn't need an additional curtain rail but just a new shower rail.  No screws/screw holes required.  An easy & cheap DIY.  I have more than 2.  One at my back door, my prescription delivery guy managed to break my letter box, you would not believe the draft that can come through a letter box. One on my porch door, which keeps my porch cool, think larder, & stops it coming through that inner porch door.  Net curtains rather than being on one of those cord thing which need holes making in something will also go on shower rails.

EssexHebridean

markin said:

For many years we was always able to find a £150ish banger with 6month to 12 month Tax & MoT, look at local adds.

Pets are expensive, farm then off to friends and family.

If the loft is only 70mm or less buy a roll or 2 for over the Bedroom

Become a lodger, or take one in.

Presumably if the OP had children you would have made the same suggestion?! 🙄 Seriously - give your head a wobble, she’s already been through a traumatic breakup, now you’re suggesting she rips her remaining family apart too? 

EssexHebridean

@Peggy0628 - I’m going to suggest that you you’ll be best off heading over to the  DFW board where you will be treated with rather more compassion and empathy than judgement. We’re used to offering support to people in pretty identical situations to yours over there and there will likely be a lot of helpful suggestions. I’m sorry you’ve had such a tough time of it, but you can come out of the other side of this. 

wild666

lohr500 said:

Spray the mould as suggested so at least you kill the spores and don't breathe them in. Then wipe the walls down so it doesn't look unsightly for when friends visit.

  When I had some mould in the flat I rented around 15 years ago I did as the instructions said spray and wipe off after 5 minutes but the mould always came back. One day I sprayed it on then went out and forgot about it and the mould never came back. 
When I first started treating the mould it was every few days but after the time I left it without wiping it didn't return in the 13 months I lived there. 
In my opinion the spray and wipe method is just a way to keep the person buying more of the products.

EssexHebridean

I'd suggest to the OP and anyone else reading to be extremely cautious with the advice extended above - some of the mould-killing products available have ingredients which - with prolonged exposure - might be every bit as nasty as the mould itself. If you ARE going to try this method then at the very least ensure that your home is extremely well ventilated until it has thoroughly dried. 

FreeBear

EssexHebridean said: I'd suggest to the OP and anyone else reading to be extremely cautious with the advice extended above

And don't use acid (that includes vinegar) on plaster - It will eat into the plaster and ruin it.

ProDave

This issue is going to be affecting everybody.  If we don't see wage rises to at least keep up with inflation we will be heading for a winter of discontent and hardship next winter, it won't just be a few struggling, but many,

If the cost of living goes up, we need wages to rise to match.  You just can't keep on expecting people to cut back and do without.

lisyloo

Oh absolutely, what’s happening is unbelievable.
we already have large numbers of working people on benefits and going to food banks.
There is only so much you can cut back especially for people who can’t easily move or get active 

the legislation that makes landlords “improve” their properties - won’t.
Properties like this will probably be sold as a doer upper and exacerbate the issue for people at the lower end of the rental market,

but people voted for this lot.