If you are thinking of moving out and finding a place to live, you'll need to think about the costs that come with having your own place.
It's hard to say exactly how much money you need, because costs change from region to region - but here are some of the things you'll need to take into account:
- If you rent, you'll need money to cover a deposit and rent at the beginning of your tenancy. A deposit is usually one and a half month's rent, and then you pay your first month's rent on top of that. The deposit should be returned to you when you move out, but part of it may be used to pay for any damages you caused and for cleaning carpets
- You may have to pay council tax, which depends on the area you live in, the kind of house you are in, and how your bills are divided. This can be a large sum of money - ask how much you need to pay in council tax per year before you sign any agreement
- If you find a place through a letting agency, you may end up paying a non- refundable fee
- Don't forget the cost of heating and water - check out the average cost of bills before you make the decision to move in
