2 bed terraces, yay or nay?

[diamondsonthesolesofhershoes]

We've been to view 4 houses to rent this morning, all 2 bed terraces within the same 4 streets and all with cellars.

Our reasons for moving are, among others, the high prices in our current lovely area and the sky high energy bills our huge 1 bed flat generates due to big single glazed bay windows and generally poor insulation. The terraces are incredibly cheap and would work fine for us, but the cellars are bothering me.

The space is brilliant and effectively you get 2 extra rooms for storage etc, but I'm worried about the effects on insulation. We only looked at those with double glazing and scoring high on EPC.

So has anyone lived in a terrace like this and can you help me out with the pros and cons?

If its scoring high on the EPC, then it shouldn't be a problem. When I lived in a 2 bed mid terrace it was the hottest house I've had! In fact it was empty for the first 6 months I had it, through the winter and I had no heating on and it was still warm!

I really can't see a downside to the cellar, the EPC would show if there was an issue and I think the storage would be a huge plus.

The downsides I can see are noise if you have noisy neighbours, but I didn't have a problem. Parking can be an issue if there is no drive/yard, you might have trouble parking near the house after work.

I loved that house, my DB bought if from me and I still love going there!

My house is a 2 bed terrace but my attic is converted.

I have had the attic window open permanantly for nearly 2 weeks!!! Its the playroom so no one sleeps up there. The house is just so hot!!

If the house is rented isn't the government doing cavity wall insulation for free?? Not sure if I'm right.

I think the tenant has to be recieving certain benefits to get the free insulation, but certainly worth invertigating!

Thanks everyone, we're moving from an area an a flat that we absolutely love but I have just finished a degree so our council tax is going to be more.

The pros of the 2 we really like are the extra garden and reception room and the garden, all for £50 less than we pay at the moment. They're also nearer work for both of us and in walking distance from everywhere so saving us on travel. We don't have a car at te moment so parking isn't an issue, although they are on very quiet 'dead-end' roads so plenty of street parking.

Cons are that We won't be anywhere near my beloved little high street and not many green spaces. It's also a bit more of a dodgy area but have lived in worse so not overly bothered.

Also, the initial outlay (deposit, application fees etc) is quite big so we're stuck between staying where we are and haemorrhaging money bit by bit on bills and high rent and really stretching ourselves to save money in the long run... Really don't know what to do!

Sorry that should say extra garden and reception room!

Also apologise for the big long muse... Didn't realise how much this decision was playing on my mind so much until I wrote it down!

BEDROOM!

If you would rather stay in your flat have you looked into insulation options and costs? It might be worth your while doing this and then approaching your LL.

If you are entitled to any benefits check out the government scheme TeaTea mentioned.

Even if your LL says no to improving the insulation there are things you can do/use to keep the heat. There were loads of threads on here (other boards) over the winter so if you have a search around you will find them.

Also shop around for your energy suppliers to see if you are on the best tariff.