running a 2 bed flat

[wigglyworm]

hi i am looking to get a two bedroom flat with my girlfriend early next year.this will be in the rubery or kings norton (birmingham) area for about �110,000. i know its hard to say but i was wondering roughly what would the upkeep be for two people, electric, water etc. also what is a typical ground rent and service cost.i understand it can vary greatly but i was just trying to plan ahead so we don't have any nasty suprises.

thanks in advance

[Scarlett]

I have a 2 bed flat/maisonette in Dorset which I live in one my own. My outgoings are council tax, contents insurance, buildings insurance, electricity, water, but no service charge as I share a freehold and leashold with one other person upstairs.

Council tax is resuced cos I am the only one in the household, and is �70 a month. Water is on a meter and is about �10 a month. Electricity is loads as I have storage heaters (no gas) and is about �50-�60 a month. Contents insurance is �15 a month and buildings is �17 a month.

I have loads of other outgoings, but these are the main house ones. My mortgage is for �75,000 and I pay about �500 a month.

Add on to that food, clothes, credit cards, catalogues or store cards, travel, sickness insurance, and I have to find about �900 a month purely on bills.