Moving In

Support

Before you move in, make sure that you remember to tell everyone that you are moving, including the Benefits Agency (if you are claiming), close friends, family, employer/college, bank. It might help you to write a list of whom you need to tell.

Repairs

Ask the person who hands over your flat/house who is responsible for carrying out repairs and how do you contact them.

Contents Insurance: Shop around to get the best deal for you and read the small print. It’s always a good idea to get someone you trust to double-check it. Note and keep all details, e.g. Agents name, phone number, policy number.

Housing Benefit

If you haven’t done so already, as soon as you get the keys to your flat, you need to apply for Housing and Council Tax Benefit, and your claim will be assessed. This may take time so don’t delay. Go along to your housing benefit section, and when you have been seen and handed in your claim, ask for a receipt so that you have proof of when your application was submitted. You will need to take along with you proof of your rent e.g. Tenancy Agreement, alongside ID such as passport, birth certificate and bank statements etc.

Gas and Electric

Check out who is supplying you with these services, and take a reading from the meter. Telephone the supplier and register as the new tenant, this will ensure that you don’t end up paying someone else’s bill. These are bills that you will have to pay for yourself, so make sure that you budget for them within your budget sheet. You may want a payment meter fitted. This means you pay as you go as opposed to having a quarterly bill that you then have to find the money for in one lump sum. However, having a meter could mean you are charged extra for your gas and electric so check this out before making your final decision.

Council Tax:

When you register you will probably find that you will be due a discount. To register, call your local council and ask to be put through to the Council Tax Department. For further information please see the City Council website

If you are under 18 years old you will not have to pay Council Tax. Single persons living alone are also entitled to 25% discount. Best to telephone to find out what you are entitled to.

To be assessed to see whether you could be entitled to a discount or are exempt from paying Council Tax you will usually have to fill in a form. If you are making a claim for Housing Benefit then you can claim for Council Tax relief at the same time. This can all be a bit confusing, so talk to your 16+ (Social) Worker who will be able to support you with all of this.

Water

If you live alone, it may work out cheaper to have a water meter fitted. This is free and organised by contacting the water board. If there is already a meter, take a reading on the day that you move in. Don’t avoid letting these people know when you have moved in.

Remember suppliers of services such as water, gas and electric will eventually catch up with you and send your bills to include arrears that may have built up. They may all offer different payment schemes so check and choose what suits you best, e.g. If you are paid weekly, you may prefer to pay bills weekly also.

Furnishing your pad

If you are excited about the prospect of moving into your own home, then you are probably already planning what furniture you are going to buy and how you are going to decorate.

Usually you start off with an unfurnished place so there are certain things you need before you move in, for example;

• Fridge/freezer
• Cooker
• Cutlery
• Table and chairs
• Kettle
• Pots and pans
• Light bulbs and shades.
• Quilts/sheets and pillows/pillow cases.
• Quit covers
• Wardrobe and or chest of drawers
• Radio
• Curtains
• Carpet/rugs
• Sofa
• Coffee table
• Iron
• TV
• and lastly emergency equipment, i.e. torch, screwdriver and first aid kit.

The list is never ending! Remember it all costs money so it’s best to stick to the essentials. You could write yourself a list of what you actually need and find out how much this actually costs by shopping around for the best deals. You can always buy extra’s later on when you have saved up a bit more money.