The cost of running a home

Transcription

1 The cost of running a home

2 Contents First home 04 Rent 06 Council Tax 07 Energy Costs 08 Water Costs 10 TV Licence 11 Satellite/TV/Internet/ 11 broadband Phone Costs 12 Food and other household 13 expenses Clothing and shoes 13 School Meals 13 Travel expenses 14 Home Contents Insurance 15 Welfare reform and under 16 occupation Personal Budget 17 Useful contacts 18 Advice 19 Moving into your own home can be an exciting time, but it s also your greatest expense. If you have already managed a place of your own, you will know just how much it will cost to run. If this is the first time you have thought about setting up your own home, you need to think carefully about how much money you will need. You may be surprised at all the costs involved in setting up your own home and the cost of running a home is rising... You need to be able to afford these costs before you accept any offers Eastlands Homes may make you. This guide aims to give you an idea of costs you will need to plan for. You must consider the following on top of your essential household costs. Health (dentist, glasses, prescriptions, health insurance) Hairdressing / haircuts Cable, Satellite and Internet TV, video and other appliance rental School meals and uniforms Pocket money and school trips Transport to and meals at work Lottery and pools, etc. Hobbies / leisure / sport (including pub/outings, gym, etc.) Gifts (Christmas, birthdays, charity, etc.) Vet bills and pet insurance Postage Holidays 02 eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 03

3 First Home If this is the 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, cutlery, television and TV licence. Furniture: The first essential item you need to start your home is furniture. If you are struggling to buy furniture, there are places you can go to buy good quality furniture at an affordable price. Mustard Tree - First floor, 110 Oldham Road, Ancoats Manchester, M4 6AG Tel To buy furniture from Mustard Tree a referral needs to be made by Eastlands Homes. Please ask our Money Matters Team to make a referral for you. Wesley Community Furniture - 58, Lloyd Street, South Manchester, M14 7HT. Tel Freecycle: It s a grassroots and entirely non-profit movement of people who give items free in their own towns. It s all about reusing and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Membership is free. Details can be found on their website at: Co-op White Goods Scheme - This is a national scheme that allows you to obtain new white goods at an affordable price. If you do not have the money to pay for an item, the Co-op scheme encourages you to open a credit union account. Once you have joined the credit union and chosen your electrical goods, you complete a Cooperative Electrical Order Form, available from Eastlands Homes offices or as a print out from the Credit Union website. Manchester Credit Union will order the goods on your behalf if your loan is approved, or will debit your savings account. Delivery is normally within 2 working days. If you want the Co-operative to install an appliance, please read the list of installation charges on the back of the order form. If you want to take advantage of the Co-operative s low prices, but don t want to use your savings, you could get a low cost loan from the Credit Union. Manchester Credit Union - Manchester Credit Union aim to help you take control of your money by encouraging you to save while providing a handy, cost effective way of borrowing and protecting your money. There are many convenient and easy ways to save at Manchester Credit Union. Savings can be made in cash at one of their branches or at satellite collection points, by standing order, (direct from your wages or benefits) or by BACS (direct from your bank account). They provide free life savings and loan protection insurance as well as a family protection plan. Manchester Credit Union has a number of offices across the city. Beswick - The Grange, Pilgrim Drive, Manchester, M11 3TQ Miles Platting - Sure Start Children s Centre, Holland Street, M40 7DA Openshaw - St Clements Sure Start Centre, M11 1LR Manchester Credit Union also have a surgery on Tuesdays 2pm-3pm at our Belle Vue House office. If you have any queries about Manchester Credit Union, you can contact them by phone on or by to: info@ manchestercreditunion.co.uk. You can also visit their website: Avoid loan sharks This current economic climate makes it very difficult to find financial help when needed. It is tempting to borrow money to furnish your home from unlicensed money lenders. They charge very high interest rates and sometimes use threats and violence to frighten people who can t pay back their loan. There are also a number of high street and catalogue shops around who seem to offer very attractive deals when you want to buy white goods, electronic goods or other essential household items. But, they often have a very high interest or insurance rate. So, always be careful when considering any offers from them. You could often end up paying two or three times the original cost of the goods. For confidential help and advice, contact the Illegal Money Lending Team. Tel: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks. gov.uk. Text: Loan (space) shark (space) + your message to or check their website: 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, household goods, clothing, home contents insurance, car expenses (insurance, MOT, car tax and fuel), travel to work expenses and any credit / 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 eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 05

4 Rent Paying your rent is a priority. If you are offered a property by East lands Homes we will tell how much your rent is going to be. The charges below are some of the average rent figures for different property types that Eastlands Homes currently charge. These charges exclude any service or heating charge. Property Type 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 bed 4 Bed Flat/terraced/house Tower blocks/sheltered Sheltered/supported* accommodation *Sheltered accommodation has a Supporting People charge of approx 20 every week. Help may be available for the charge. Council Tax Council Tax is payable, in addition to rent, for general services provided by the council or to which the council must contribute. This includes the police and fire services. Most Eastlands Homes properties are either in council tax band A or band B. The band you are in depends on the size and location of your house. Further details can be found on the council s website, The table below shows the current cost of council tax in areas covered by Eastlands Homes. Council Tax Band A Band B Band C Yearly 10 Monthly Weekly You may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help with your rent if you are on a low income. We can help you make a claim and give you an idea of how much benefit you may be entitled to. This will help you plan your budget. Every rent week starts on a Monday. You can choose to pay your rent weekly, fortnightly or monthly, but it should be paid in advance. We recommend direct debit as a method of payment. It is a safe and secure way to pay bills and allows you to control when regular payments will be made. Direct Debit can save you time and give you peace of mind. Payments are made automatically, so bills are never forgotten or lost in the post and there s no risk of late payment charges. If you live in a property on your own, you will be entitled to 25% discount on your council tax bill. You may also qualify for a discount if you are substantially or permanently, disabled. You are exempt from paying council tax if you are a full time student. Depending on your situation you may be entitled to council tax benefit. If you claim housing benefit, the same form registers you for council tax benefit eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 07

5 Energy Costs You will need to heat and light your home, cook and use electrical appliances. Paying by Direct Debit and having the same supplier for your gas and electricity (dual fuel) generally saves you money on your bills. Money can usually be saved on utility bills by switching providers each year, or even renegotiating with your current supplier. You can check rates on different online comparison websites. We do not recommend any particular website, but some of them are: My Home Energy Switch - www. myhomeenergyswitch.org.co.uk Uswitch Money Saving Expert Money Supermarket Compare the market - (online only) Go compare - (online only) The online service is very simple to use. It can be searched by using your post code. The search will identify the energy supplier s tariffs for your needs. If you have no access to the internet you could go to a local library, where internet access is free. Free access to these websites is also available by using the computer kiosk in your local Eastlands Homes reception. Some comparison companies can be phoned directly. Opposite, you will find current average weekly figures for gas, electricity and dual fuel. These will vary according to which utility company you choose, how much fuel you use, how well insulated the property is and how many people live in the property. Gas costs Standard Standard Standard Credit / year Credit / month Credit / week 1 or 2 bed flat 2 bed house / bungalow 3 or 4 bed house Electricity costs 1 or 2 bed flat 2 bed house / bungalow 3 or 4 bed house Dual fuel 1 or 2 bed flat 2 bed house / bungalow 3 or 4 bed house Some Eastlands Homes properties have a communal boiler. If this is the case, you will be charged via your service charge. The amount charged currently is approx 15 to 20 per week, depending on the size of the property. Eastlands Homes does not make a profit on this service charge and is currently replacing communal boilers with Direct Debit / year Direct Debit / month Direct Debit / week an individual boiler for each tenant. This element of your service charge is not eligible for assistance from housing benefit. When offered a property by Eastlands Homes, you will be issued with an Energy Performance Certificate. This gives a more accurate estimate of expected energy costs for that specific property, based on how much insulation is fitted and what energy efficient appliances are installed eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 09

6 Water Costs Water rates are calculated based on the rateable value of the property or relate directly to actual water usage if a water meter is fitted. TV Licence You are required by law to have a TV licence if you watch or record television programmes on any device, as they are being shown on TV. If your water bill is based on the property s rateable value, then this will be a fixed amount irrespective of the amount of water you use. The water supplier for the majority of Eastlands Homes properties is United Utilities. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Bluray/DVD/VHS recorders. You could end up with a large fine without a licence. The figures below show how much a Colour or Black and White TV licence costs. Type of property Yearly Monthly Weekly Water Bill Water Bill Water Bill TV Weekly Monthly Yearly 3 Bed Detached house / bungalow 2/3 bed Semi Detached house / bungalow Other, including 2 bed flat / terraced house 1 Bed flat Single person household tariff Water meter and single person s household tariff - A single person may benefit from having a water meter, but it is unlikely that a family with children would. If you have a water meter fitted, you can not have it taken out unless it was fitted less than 12 months ago. If you want to have a water meter installed, you will need permission from Eastlands Homes. If a single occupant is unable to have a water meter at the property for any reason they can get Single Person s Household Tariff which is a fixed amount of a year. Colour Black and White If you have recently moved home, or are just about to move, you need to inform the TV Licensing Authority of your new address to make sure you remain licensed. Your TV Licence covers you at a specific address, not just you as an individual, so when you move home it doesn t automatically move with you. You can tell the TV Licensing Authority your new address by completing a short form online at or by calling them on If you are over 75 you get a free TV licence. You will get 50% discount if you are blind/severely sight impaired. Cable/satellite TV People often choose to subscribe to cable or satellite TV. The average cost of a package is currently between 12 and 50 a month. This varies with the company and package you choose Freeview boxes are available from as little as a 15 one off payment. Most TVs now have integrated digital tuners, which enable you to watch basic TV channels without the need to buy any package or freeview box eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 11

7 Phone Costs If you are using a land line then the line rental is generally about a month. The average monthly cost, including cost of calls and line rental, is approximately The amount varies, depending on how much you use the phone. The table below shows the average cost of phone charges. Number in Household Weekly Monthly Adult 2 Adults 2 Adults and 1 child 2 Adults and 2 children Over the last few years there has been an explosion in mobile phone usage. More and more people are now using mobile phones instead of landline phones. Prices of mobile phones and bundles are very competitive, so always consider rates for calls, texts and data. Smart phones offer different features, such as internet access and data roaming, which can be used as an alternative to home internet. If you have a mobile phone, do not forget to budget for contract, call charges or home internet top-up costs. Food and House Keeping Food and house keeping costs comprise of food and milk, cleaning and toiletries, newspapers and magazines, cigarettes, tobacco and sweets, alcohol, laundry and dry cleaning, nappies and baby items, pet food, etc. Food and household expenses per week, per adult per week, per child This amount will increase if a member of the household needs a special diet or has a medical condition. A family with a new born baby or very young child will need extra money to buy formula food, nappies, etc. Clothing and shoes The monthly cost of clothing and shoes varies depending on the number of adults and school age children in the household per month per child per month per adult. School Meals There will be additional expenses if you have children attending school. On average, school meals cost 9.50 per week or 1.90 per day. You could consider sending your child to school with a packed lunch. Free school meals are available to children whose parents receive income support, income based job seekers allowance, child tax credit, support from the National Asylum Support Service or a guaranteed element of state pension credit. For further information contact Manchester City Council on or benefit. enquiries@manchester.gov.uk 12 eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 13

8 Travel Expenses Travel expenses vary depending on whether you use your own car or public transport. If you regularly use public transport for work, school, shopping, etc. or you use taxis, the average cost is shown below: Travel Monthly Weekly Expenses First Adult Additional adult Child Child under If you own a car then you will certainly be aware of the associated costs: car insurance, fuel, vehicle tax, MOT, break down or recovery, parking charges, tolls and servicing. But do you know how much your car is really costing you to run? The table shows the average cost of running your own car. Item Weekly Yearly Insurance Fuel Servicing MOT Tax Total If you are a young or new driver, insurance could be considerably more expensive than shown above. How to Save Money When Running a Car? Search around for the cheapest fuel prices and collect loyalty points with that petrol station. Don t use the air conditioning as this uses up much more fuel, have the windows down instead. Drive sensibly without using high revs; the higher the revs, the more fuel is being used. Make sure your tyres are the right pressure; driving with tyres that aren t will use more fuel. Shop around for car insurance. Home Contents Insurance How would you replace your possessions if the ceiling fell in, the chip pan caught fire, you had a leak from your washing machine or you had a burglary? We all need insurance, but many people think they can t afford it or don t know how to get a good deal. Eastlands Homes has joined forces with one of the biggest and longest established insurers (Royal & Sun Alliance) to bring you a deal that will bring you peace of mind at a price you can afford. You decide what amount you need to replace your possessions in case of loss or damage. Premiums start from as little as 1.12 per week eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 15

9 Welfare reform and under occupation Housing benefit is going to be cut for working age claimants if they are deemed to have a spare bedroom in their council or housing association home. From April 2013: 14% of the eligible rent for housing benefit will be cut if you have a spare bedroom and 25% of the eligible rent will be cut if you have two or more spare bedrooms. Under the government s new rules, it may be decided that you have more bedrooms than you need. This means that you will lose part of your housing benefit. Under the new rules: Two children under 16 of the same gender are expected to share a bedroom. Boys and girls can share a bedroom until the older child s tenth birthday. A couple (age 16 or over), who live together as partners, should share a bedroom. A single person aged 16 or over should have their own bedroom. A disabled tenant or partner, who needs a non-resident overnight carer, will be allowed an extra bedroom. More information about welfare reform can be found on our website. Personal Budget The sheet provided with this booklet will help you manage your money. If you fill in the tables correctly, you will be able see what money you have coming in and what money you are spending, on a weekly or monthly basis. This will help you plan your budget to see if you can afford to pay your rent if you take up an Eastlands Homes tenancy. Please note: benefits/wages are paid in different ways. They can be paid monthly, 4 weekly, fortnightly or weekly. So, be careful to put the correct amount on to the correct table. For example: Monthly wages can be converted to weekly by multiplying the monthly amount by 12 and then dividing the result by 52. If the end result is positive, you will probably be able to afford the cost of running your tenancy based on your current financial situation. If the end result is negative, you are at risk of going into debt and will struggle to sustain your tenancy. Think carefully before having a place of your own in your current financial situation. There is a personal budget sheet enclosed with this booklet and the budget sheet is shown to the right. Pick up additional personal budget sheets from Eastlands Homes or download from our website from the Money Matters section. Name Address Other household members (name and date of birth) Personal Budget 1. Income Wages/salary Partner s wages/salary Weekly/Monthly 3. Money for Creditors (per week/month) Income Support ESA Total Income Take away Total Expenses JSA Total Money for Creditors Leaves Child Benefit 4. Priority Debts Amount Wk/Month Owed Tax Credits (Child + Working) DLA Care Rent Arrears DLA Mobility Repayment Maintenance Pension Credit Pension (State + Private) Non Dependent Contribution Other income/s Total Income Council Tax Arrears Water Charge Arrears Fuel debts: Gas Electricity Other Magistrates fines Maintenance Arrears Other Total Priority Debts Expenses Rent Weekly/Monthly 5. Money for Credit Debts (per week/month) Total Money for Creditors Council Tax Take away Total Priority Debts Water Charges Leaves Total Money for Credit Debts Gas Electricity Food Life & Contents insurance 6. Credit Debts TV Licence Amount Wk/Month Owed Repayment Magistrates court fines 1 Maintenance payments Creditor Travelling expenses 2 School meals/meals at work 3 Clothing and shoes 4 5 Personal care/toiletries Leisure Total Credit Debts Total Weekly/Monthly Payments Laundry & cleaning products Telephone Prescriptions & health care Internet costs Fuel costs, e.g. petrol Child expenses/activities/ Childminding This is an accurate record of my/our financial position Date Signed Other (not credit/debit payments) Total Expenses 16 eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 17

10 Useful Contacts Eastlands Homes Tel: Manchester Credit Union Tel: Mustard Tree Tel: Wesley Community Furniture Tel: Housing Benefit manchester.gov.uk Tel: Council Tax Tel: Free Cycle uk.freecycle.org Uswitch Tel: Money Saving Expert Tel: Item Weekly Yearly Money Supermarket Tel: Compare The Market Go Compare Advice If you need advice on money, debts or maximising your income, or you think you may be entitled to additional welfare benefits, there are a number of agencies that can help. Eastlands Homes Extra support is now available from Eastlands Homes. You can get tips on how to maximise your income, as well as how to access cheaper utilities like gas and electricity - all available by contacting your local Eastlands Homes Money Matters Team: Belle Vue House Tel: Cornbrook House Tel: Eastlands House Tel: Advice is also available from the organisations listed below:- Ardwick Connect Team Ardwick Connect Team is a local service that works with local individuals and families to provide short-term support during difficult times. Their aim is to help the people of Ardwick become more independent and make more of their opportunities in life. 2-12, Bushmoor Walk, Ardwick, Manchester, M13 9FN. Tel: Advice is also available from the organisations listed below:- Somali Advice Link Somali Advice Link provide an advice service for the Somali community in south Manchester. They hold an advice surgery at Cornbrook House, Ardwick, Manchester on Tuesdays between 10am and 12.30pm. Unit 57 Carrioca Business Park, 2, Hellidon Close, Manchester, M12 4AH. South Manchester Law Centre (SMLC) SMLC provides general and specialist advice to people who live in Manchester. 584, Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 0RQ Tel: Fax: Drop-in Advice Surgery: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10am 12.30pm Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau (now under CLAS) Manchester CAB Debt Service 20, Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JW Tel: Manchester Debt service debt advice.aspx 18 eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 19

11 Beswick CAB The Bungalow, 187, Grey Mare Lane, M11 3ND Longsight CAB 384, Dickenson Road, M13 0WQ Withington CAB Withington Methodist Church, Wilmslow Road, M20 4AN CAB Telephone Adviceline Tel: Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Advice Service: One Stop Advice UK Click and go to advice, leaflets, signposting. Tel: Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm Money and Debt Advice For help and advice about debt or other money matters, contact Eastlands Homes Money Matters Team via Eastline at your local Eastlands Homes office. The Money Matters Team can also advise you about other sources of help and information and refer you on to a partner agency. Eastlands Homes works with the Money Advice Service to identify the solution that is right for each customer. The Money Advice Service is an Tel: independent service, Item set up by the Weekly Yearly government to help people make the most of their money. They give free, unbiased money advice to people across the UK - online, over the phone and face to face. Look out for companies with misleading names that sound like debt charities but are actually commercial businesses. Never pay for services from this type of company. Money Mentors are an experienced local debt advice organisation who work in partnership with Eastlands Homes from our offices. They can provide help with all kinds of debt problems and they will not charge. To make an appointment or simply find out more, please contact the Money Matters Team at Eastlands Homes via your local Eastline. Payplan offers a fresh approach to dealing with financial difficulties. They are one of the UK s largest providers of free debt solutions, including free debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements or IVAs. Manchester City Council Advice Service (note: currently limited service) info/100001/advice_and_benefits Helpline ( ) to speak to an adviser. National Debtline provides free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. You can contact them free by phone Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm and Saturday 9.30am - 1pm, or via their website any time. Tel: Step Change Debt Charity makes free debt help available through its free national telephone service, ten regional centres and an online service. The Step Change Debt Charity is able to help people with debt problems, wherever they live. You can contact them Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am - 3pm. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles. Or visit their website at any time. Tel: Christians Against Poverty is a national debt counselling charity with a network of 205 centres based in local churches. CAP offers hope and solutions to anyone in debt through its free, unique and in-depth service. Tel: Housing Advice for Manchester Residents Shelter provides specialist advice and representation on housing, debt, welfare benefits and community care within Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Housing Aid Centre, Ground Floor, Victoria House, 5, Samuel Ogden Street, Manchester, M1 7AX Tel: Fax: Opening times: Drop-In or appointments Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. Clients can turn up and wait to see an adviser or book ahead for an appointment. Housing Advice Housing Advice from Manchester City Council: If you are a private tenant, a housing association tenant, or a home owner (owner occupier) and you live in Manchester, then Housing Advice can give you advice and help. Tel: /5087 Housing Possession Court Scheme at Manchester Civil Justice Centre provides free initial advice and representation at court for those in rent and housing possession cases, irrespective of means. If you arrive at court for a hearing on Monday (mortgage repossession or warrant) or Wednesday (rent possession) and you do not have legal representation, advisers are available to help. Their legal representatives are from Manchester Community Legal Advice Service. Manchester Civil Justice Centre, 1, Bridge Street West, Manchester, M60 9DJ. Age Concern Manchester Advice and casework on the whole range of social welfare issues including welfare benefits, debt, consumer problems and housing issues. 24, Mount Street, Manchester, M2 3NN. Tel: Telephone advice line from Monday to Friday, home visits available and weekly outreach sessions in Wythenshawe eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 21

12 Opening times: Telephone Advice Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm. All face to face meetings are by appointment only. Advice for People from Abroad and Immigration Issues Immigration Aid Unit Greater Manchester provides legal immigration advice and representation to people in Manchester and surrounding area. They have a Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark and provide legal aid to people who are eligible. They also have a number of projects that support people who are especially vulnerable. This includes women who are seeking asylum and have been subject to violence, separated children and people who are destitute. 1, Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 4QS Tel: Who they help: Anyone who is subject to immigration control and needs help. Languages: Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic, Gujarati, French, other. Accessibility: Wheelchair access, toilet access. Opening times: Monday to Friday 9.30am pm Drop-In session: Tuesdays from 9am. The rules on eligibility are complex. Item Weekly Yearly Migrant Workers North West provides support to migrant workers throughout the North West of England and champions the fair treatment of migrant workers in the workplace. Transport House, Merchants Quay, Salford Quays, M50 3SG Tel: Community Resource Centres Hillside Resource Centre Rudcroft Close, M13 9XT Tel: Openshaw Resource Centre Catherine Street, M11 1WF Tel: Access to Learning Funds (ALF) ALF is money made available by the government each year to universities and colleges to provide additional support for students in higher education who are in financial hardship. More information can be obtained from the student services centre at your university or college or found online eastline@eastlandshomes.co.uk 23

13 How to contact us Published November 2012 Call Us Lines open 8am 5.30pm weekdays. Belle Vue House: (if you live in Gorton North or Gorton South) Cornbrook House: (if you live in Ardwick, Levenshulme, Longsight or Rusholme) Eastlands House: (if you live in Beswick, Clayton or Openshaw) An out of hours service is provided for emergency repairs. Write or visit: Receptions are open 8.45am 4.30pm weekdays Belle Vue House, 27 Garratt Way, Gorton, Manchester, M18 8HE Cornbrook House, 217 Stockport Road, Ardwick, Manchester, M12 4DY Eastlands House, Victoria Street, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 2NX Web: If you would like information in another language or format such as large print or audio, please ask us.