To ask for help with my first house

[CalliopeCat]

So I might be moving into my own house very soon but I've no idea what I need or need to do! I've been my mums carer since I left school but recently I've realised it's not a good situation and I'm trying to get out.

I'm ony 18 and I've never had to deal with like electricity companies before.

The house comes with white goods and I know the basics like a bed and sofa and kitchen stuff but I'm feeling quite lost and not sure where to start planning.

Thank you x

Get on the electoral register.

Utilities - find out which companies supply gas, electric, water from the rental company. You should be able to shop around for gas and electric and change provider (try Octopus) but double check with rental company.

Make sure when you move in you go through the inventory with agency/landlord and check what it says is on there is actually in the house before you sign it.

Take photos of the place (carpets, bathroom, sinks, anything which is damaged or marked etc) when you move in as you may need to prove the initial condition at the end of your tenancy if they try and screw you over cleaning fees/damages!

Oh and you'll probably want to get phone line/Wi-Fi set up fairly soon if it isn't already.

And have some cleaning stuff to give it a good clean when you move in :)

Good luck!

Take readings of both your electric and gas meters before you use anything.

Thank you. That's really helpful. 😀

Sounds like an exciting change for you!!

As the others have said;

Take electricity/gas meter readings. Find out from the rental company who supplies them currently and submit the meter readings ASAP. If you're not sure how to take the meter readings there's usually good guidance on their websites.

Take photos of property and check inventory.

Electoral Role - through the council usually.

Get a TV Licence if you're planning on having a telly.

Find out when your bin/recycling collections are - again your local council can help if there's no information left in the property.

Find out where the stopcock is (to turn the mains water off in case of a leak).
The same with the fuse box in case anything trips.
Thermostat for heating - check heating is off but hot water is on.

Change your address with your bank/mobile phone/DVLA etc and any online shopping you might use regularly (like amazon)

Make sure you've got some essentials for moving in day;
a kettle and some milk for a cuppa
Loo roll
Radio
Bedding
Phone charger

Enjoy!!

As well as the practical stuff, I’d also make sure you’ve sat down and worked through a proper monthly budget, including plans for savings/emergencies and some fun money. That way you know what you should be spending and don’t have to worry about getting into debt.

Thank you!

Budget is in place. I'm quite good with numbers and it was the first thing I did.

Thank you for the practical advice. It's really helpful. Normally I'd ask my mum but that's not an option right now.

What stuff do I need? I have a bed, kitchen stuff and the house come with white goods (which is awesome because that stuff is expensive!)... My sister has a sofa and coffee table I can have. I have towels and such.

Planning an IKEA trip if everything goes okay at the viewing!

Excellent! You sound very sensible and organised so I’m sure it will all go great.

In terms of what stuff you might need, then I’d just spend the next few days/weeks taking note of what you use ordinarily and make a list of things you don’t have yet. Then no need to buy them all at once, as long as you have the basics.

One thing I would suggest is some tools e.g. screwdrivers in case you need to change fuses, batteries etc. Also spare lightbulbs - they never stop working in the day and it’s nice to just be able to replace one straight away

I remember your other thread about your situation - I'm glad you're going to be moving out. Everyone's suggestions here are really sensible. Sounds like you've got the most important furniture items, and don't feel you have to get everything at once, but if you are buying stuff like shelves or a wardrobe or something, make sure you've got a set of tools - just basics like hammer, screwdriver, etc.

Good luck!

Curtains, blinds come first so your house looks lived in. Don't rush to buy furniture beyond essentials like a bed, check what you really need and take measurements with you. Think - a tall set of drawers will take us the same amount of floor space as a lower set - so use your space wisely. Trunks double up as storage and coffee tables/ lamp tables.

Check your house security - locks/door chains etc. Get lights on timer switches.

Don't buy new furniture, it will cost you a fortune. Check out larger charity charity shops and Facebook groups. Local councils collect unwanted furniture and white goods and they're usually checked by a little third sector group and resold. When I was starting out 10 years ago, I got a wardrobe and a bedside table from them for just £5. Good luck!

Local not little

The Ikea tool kit is amazing as a cheap starter kit - a screwdriver with all the common heads you need, hammer, spanner etc. Check that the property has hoover. If you don't have a washing line outside, you'll need a clothes airer. You might want a bedside lamp. Do you have a kettle? Are there bins in the property?

I would wait until you move in before doing an Ikea trip, give it a few days and see what you need. You can improvise for a bit! Boil water in a saucepan if you don't have a kettle, use a packing box as a bedside table, hang a bin bag on the door handle until you get a bin etc.

Things that haven't been mentioned so far: Don't forget to register for council tax and make sure that you claim single person discount/student exemption (if you are a student) etc. If your property doesn't have a water meter, you might want to ask for one (it is usually cheaper than water rates). You don't need your landlord's permission if you have a contract of more than 6 months. If your property isn't suitable for a meter, you pay a lower tariff than standard water rates.

Good luck!

Sign up to Freecycle - it's an online thing where people give away unwanted possessions - often furniture. I've had a couple of sofas in good condition from Freecycle.
Good luck with setting up your home - you are very young to be dealing with this by yourself, but you sound thoughtful and organized.

Don't rush to buy stuff. Ikea will still be there in a few weeks. Get a feel for the place, what stuff you need storage for etc
Wine and a takeaway amidst cardboard boxes on your first night is such a lovely feeling 😄

Take photos of meters etc - make a separate album on phone so you can find them

Good advice about the tools Princess. Find out where the stop cock is and what to do if you get a leak. Scour second hand book shops or charity shops for Dairy book of household management. I think that is the name of it. It had loads of simple diy with diagrams. I think it also had some cheap cleaning methods.

Don’t buy too much at IKEA wait and see what you might need then car boot sales and charity shops for quirky shelving, kitchen stuff etc.
You don’t need to buy it all at once.
I would say buy those cheap small sets of drawers from Ikea. Wood.
Then some match pots and paint them to match your decor or go mad with vibrant colours. I have a bright floor standing set in my craft room and some shabby chic ones for the kitchen. Really useful for putting things that don’t have a home elsewhere.
A vase. Then you can treat yourself to a bunch of flowers now and then.

Thank you!

My sister has offered to take me to ikea because I don't drive yet. I wasn't planning to buy loads but I need pans and plates and stuff like that.

The viewing has been push back to tomorrow because the agent is off sick... I'm really disappointed but I guess it's only one day.