Getting organised

Moving house can be exciting and stressful all at the same time. Getting your own place can in fact be one of the most stressful experiences you can have in life. Here are some practical suggestions to help you make your move with the minimum of hassle:

• Let everyone know you're moving! It might sound obvious but so many people forget. Contact your post office and arrange for any mail sent to your old address to be forwarded to your new one. You can choose how long this should last for.
• Arrange for gas and electricity to be connected. You'll be given a number of payment options, including direct debit, standing orders and payment by bill or meter. You might be asked for a deposit in some cases.
• Arrange for your telephone to be connected (there may be a connection fee)
• Tell the local authority that you are living in the property. They will send you a form for council tax. If you are living by yourself you will get a 25% discount.
• Tell TV Licensing and pay for a TV licence if you have a TV, More information
• Get contents insurance for your stuff. Shop around for the best deals. Sometimes the cheapest options are online companies, but check that they offer what you want. Golden Gates Housing provides competitive insurance. More Information
• Register with a doctor and dentist.
• Find out as much as you can about the area you are living in - good shops, public transport, library, waste disposal arrangements, all that stuff.

TV Licence
If you use a TV or any other device to receive or record TV programmes (for example, a video recorder, set-top box, DVD recorder or PC with a broadcast card) - you need a TV Licence. You are required by law to have one. At present (2007) a colour TV Licence costs £135.50 and a black and white licence costs £45.50.

If you are in receipt of benefits you may be able to join the Cash Easy Entry Scheme. This scheme is ideal if you receive benefits and want to spread the cost of your licence to make it more affordable to you. More information

More information on TV licences

Buying the basics - what will you need?
Here's a list of basic essentials for you to get:

• a bed and bedding
• furniture and curtains
• carpets or mats
• kitchen utensils, bowls & plates
• cleaning products
• cooker
• fridge
  

For bargains look at private ads, second hand shops and market stalls. Look around your nearest car boot sale - you could pick up some great stuff for a small amount of money.

Don't worry if sofas look a bit worn and dreary - you can liven them up with throw-over blankets and cushions.

Consider blinds instead of curtains - they can be cheaper than readymade curtains and more practical.

Floors do not all have to be carpeted so don't get stressed about the significant price full carpeting could cost. In any case, some houses will have carpets installed anyway. If not, you can get off-cuts from high street stores and markets will do the job cheaply. Some people don't like carpets and prefer laminated wooden floorings. It's best to have carpet in your bedroom though as it will help to keep the heat in.

Be careful when buying second hand electrical goods like cookers, fridges and heaters. Always buy from reputable places so that you get a guarantee and instructions - avoid car boot sales for such items as this. Any kind of gas appliance must come from a registered dealer.