Affordability | Progress Housing Group

One of the most important things when considering moving house is knowing whether you can afford the rent, bills and other living costs.

In this section, you will find all the tools you need to determine your monthly expenditure, how to balance your income and outgoings, and whether you can afford to move home.

The budgeting aspect of this section is also helpful for people who want to control their spending better.

If you need additional information from trusted local services about a wide range of local health and community services, please check with your local council (external website)

Costs to consider when looking at renting a home

Council Tax

Council Tax is set by your local authority or council, paying for local services like rubbish collection, schools and road repairs.

It can be quite a large part of your yearly outgoings, so it is important to know how much it will cost and whether you can afford to pay it.

Find out your Council Tax rate

To find out how much Council Tax you pay, please click here, enter your postcode and select your address.

In England, the Council Tax bands are based on what the property was worth in 1991.

Do I receive a discount?

The Council Tax bill is based on two adults living at the property.

If you live alone, you will only pay 75% of your Council Tax. So if your council tax is £1,000 per year, you will only pay £750.

You will get a 50% discount if nobody living in your home (including you) is considered an adult.

These people don't count as an adult for Council Tax purposes:

Children under 18
People on certain apprentice schemes
18 and 19-year-olds in full-time education
Full-time college and university students
Young people under 25 who get funding from the Skills Funding Agency or Young People’s Learning Agency
Student nurses
British Council registered foreign language assistants
People with a severe mental disability
Live-in carers who look after someone who isn’t their partner, spouse or child
Diplomats.

Discounts for people with a disability

You may be eligible for the Disabled Band Reduction Scheme if you live in a larger property than you would need if you or another occupant weren't disabled.

Please click here to find out more about the Disability Band Reduction Scheme.

Discounts for people with a low income

If you have a low income, then you might be able to apply for Council Tax Reduction (CTR) or Council Tax Support.

Each local authority has different rules about CTR. You can check whether you are eligible for a reduction in Council Tax by clicking here.

Further information

For further information about Council Tax in your local area, please visit you local council website.

If you don't know your local council or local authority, please click here.

Costs of running a home

If you have never rented your own home before, then it can be difficult to know exactly what to budget for and how much money you will need. It often turns out to be much more expensive than people think.

Below are what we estimate to be the minimum spend for people who use low or medium amounts of energy and who spend £25 a week on food and cleaning.

The estimate includes rent, Council Tax, gas and electric, water, TV Licence, contents insurance, mobile phone, food, and cleaning products.

It does not include money for clothes, holidays, entertainment and other household spending.

Your costs may differ depending on where you live, your eating habits, your personal life, energy providers, water meters, and how much energy you use.

Minimum use per week

One-bed flat - from £150

Two-bed flat - from £190

Two-bed house - from £230

Three-bed house - from £280

Four-bed house - from £325

If you have a low income, you might be able to get help with rent or Council Tax.

Financial health check - budget calculator

When you are thinking of moving house it's really important to know if you will have enough money to pay the rent, bills, council tax and living costs.

You can do this using our budget calculator below.

The budget calculator is also a great tool for people who are wanting to save some money.

Reasons to budget

Budget helps you to take control of your money.

Know your income and what you have left over
See where you may be spending too much or wasting money
Know if you can afford to buy or do something such as renting a home or buying a car
Being more prepared for unexpected bills or expenses
Save for expected and unexpected costs
Manage any debts

Check your financial health

Download our financial health check budget calculator below. All you need to do is input your income (your wages or any benefits you receive) and your outgoings (rent, bills, council tax and living costs).

Benefits and money advice