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Cost of running your home

If this is your first time you will be setting up a home and managing household bills you need to think about the things you will need to start with:

Here's a list of the basics:  

• Furniture
• Carpets
• Curtains
• White goods – (fridge, washing machine etc,)
• Cooker
• Bed(s) and bedding
• Towels
• Kettle, pans, cups, plates, dishes, knives & forks
• Television (and licence)

Once you have set up a home there will be regular bills to pay including:

• Rent
• Council Tax
• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• TV Licence
• Phone
• Food and household goods
• Clothing
• Home contents insurance
• Car expenses, such as insurance, car tax and petrol
• Travel to work expenses
• Any credit card, store card, or catalogue payments

How do I work out how much money I will need?

You have to be honest and realistic about how much money you have coming in, what bills you will have and the initial cost of setting up a home.

How do I know how much my bills will be?

Remember, that your bills will be higher in the winter. The following ‘Rough Guide’ is what you may pay for your gas and electricity.
(figures taken from www.switchwithwitch.co.uk)

• One bed flat         £13.50 per week
• Two bed house    £20.00 per week
• Three bed house  £28.00 per week

You costs will vary depending upon the number of people living in the property.

If you are offered a property by Berneslai Homes, we will tell you how much your rent is going to be, but it will range from £48.00 to £68.00 per week.  Council tax is in Band ‘A’ for most council properties. The annual bill for 2008/09 was £882.43 which is £16.97 per week. You can find out if you could qualify for help with your rent and council tax by going to  Barnsley Councils Website and using the benefits calculator.

The average annual water bill for council properties is £330.00, which is £6.35 per week.  You can visit http://www.yorkshirewater.com/ to see if having a water meter fitted, would save you money

These will vary from household to household. Typical costs for 2008 are:

• Single person      £35.00 to £45.00 per week 
• Couple                £60.00 to £75.00 per week
  Each child           £20.00 to £35.00 per week.

 
In 2008, a TV Licence cost £135.50 a year for colour, and £45.50 for black and white. You can spread the cost of paying for your TV Licence. The weekly equivalent is £2.61. Visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk for further information.