21, renting alone for the first time advice?

[crazylady7]

Hello!

I am 21 and looking to move out of my childhood home. I do not have a very nice family home situation and i really feel like i am ready to start renting my own place now. I were wondering if anybody had any advice for a 21 year old private renting for the first time? I am looking for somewhere around £700 a month, i have seen plenty of places on rightmove. After tax, car bills and phone bill ( all i really pay out for living at parents ) i have £1750 left to spare. Were wondering if you think me renting alone is doable, spending £700 of that then on rent, and then all other bills that come with running your own place? Any advice? I dont want to be naive in thinking i would be fine moving out when really it isnt doable with the money i earn.. ? I dont really spend money out often either, i just spend time with friends at home, i dont really spend unnecessary money on myself. Thanks so much.

I think you will manage perfectly well on the income you have stated as long as you are not too extravagant.

Well done you! Please let us know how you get on, it's an exciting time for a young woman like yourself.

Realistically, I'd say expect to be ripped off. Expect the landlord to add nickle-and-diming fees (even though some are supposed to be illegal now), rent you a property with faults and fail to repai them, enter your home without permission, and to refuse to return your deposit at the end.

Maybe I'm being a pessimist but I think if you expect that and plan for it, you'll be better able to deal with it

I second the saving every month. How are you furniture wise? You can pick up a lot of stuff in second hand shops and ebay for cheap. You can always paint it in a facourite colour and replace it with nicer stuff later. Put it on facebook when you're moving out and ask if people have certain stuff to spare. Lots of people have too much stuff and are happy to help someone out. For instance I fully expect to pay for something when my niece moves out and want to. Ikea is also good for kitchen utensils and plates and stuff. Ikea also has a few rugs that are quite cheap (think 30 or so pounds and my cat can't destroy them). A rug can really make your room look like a home.

The others already gave good financial advice so I won't go there. Do try to keep eating healthy even when cooking alone, in the long run you will be happier for it.

Yes plan for all that. If you expect it- it means you can plan to prevent it. By knowing what to look out for. This is always controversial advice on MN but I advise anyone to change the locks as soon as they move into a new place. I have heard so many cases of agents and landlords letting themselves in without permission. On MN this seems to be nothing for a tenant to be concerned about but in real life it’s fucking trespass. Still- far too many feel entitled to do it. I always change the locks now and any visits by landlord or agent have to be agreed by me and when I’m present.

You can get furniture free from Freecycle and Freegle. Things like coffee tables, kettle, clothes airers, crockery, curtains, bedside tables, sofas, beds, rugs are easily available and will tide you over for a while.

You can advertise Wanted: or look at whats in Offers. If you are asking for something, be specific (e.g. ' small coffee table', not 'everything for an empty flat ') and say please.