Running your Home

Moving into a new home is always a big step and particularly so if it is the first time you have been responsible for running your own household. Becoming a tenant means you will have a lot expenses that need to be met from your income. This can be a shock for people who have been living with family and maybe only contributing to a share of the bills. To try to give prospective tenants an idea of what they can expect we have compiled a list. The figures given are an indication only and your actual costs may be higher.

For example a family of two adults and two children in a 3 bed house would have average weekly expenses of £222.47 plus £67 for rent and council tax making a total of £289.47.

ITEM Estimated weekly figure
RENT  

This depends on the size of property but on average

 £67

COUNCIL TAX (2009/10)

  
Band A £18.11
Band B £21.12

Tenants on a low income can make a claim for Housing and Council Tax Benefit for help towards the cost of rent and council tax.

  

GAS

  
single person / couple £7.80
single person / couple with 1 child £14.35
single person / couple with 2 or more children £19.03

ELECTRIC

  
single person / couple £4.89
single person / couple with 1 child £8.63
single person / couple with 2 or more children £12.37

WATER RATES

  
1 Bed Flat or Bungalow £4.67
2/3 Bed House £7.27
4 Bed House £7.65

FOOD

  
Each adult £25-£35
Each child £25-£30

INSURANCE

  
Contents insurance £3.50 dependant on amount insured

HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES

  
single person / couple £10
single person / couple with 1 child £13
single person / couple with 2 or more children £16

CLOTHES

  
Each adult £10
Each child £12
TV LICENCE £2.68


You also need to calculate any additional expenses you may have in addition to the basic items listed above. These could include:

  • Telephones (land line and mobile)
  • Child care costs
  • Vehicle tax
  • Vehicle insurance
  • Vehicle expenses – fuel, servicing and parts
  • Regular bus or taxi fares
  • Fines or court orders
  • Overdraft repayments.
  • Credit card payments
  • Loan repayments
  • Catalogue, hire purchase or club repayments
  • Cable or Sky TV