Adazeal:

Please, is this applicable to Virgin Media too? Had a similar experience, in my own case I wasn't able to connect to the internet. Called on several occasions to complain, they were giving me monotonous replies. Everyone of them repeating what the other said with no solution in sight. I had to angrily cancel the contract which was still within 2 weeks but £42 ended up being deducted from my account. When I tried to contest it, they said it's £35 connection charge which is non-refundable according to their terms and conditions, and about £7 for data I used for the few days which in actual sense I never used cos I was unable to access the internet.

Do you think I should push for a refund regardless cos I was never told of the connection charge when I got the contract?

Did you read the agreement or the fine print? Pretty sure there is something there that covers their ass. They will never tell you everything, it's up to you to read the contract before agreeing to it.

ybahrbz91:
Really! I have 2 weeks to cancel.
Thanks for this info.Would I pay any charges?

you should not. You have 14 days to choose if you want to stay or not

Solumtoya:


It's ridiculous. If you detest the company of Nigerians so much, stay off Nairaland and leave us alone. One person gives financial tips on Mortgages and all, we're excited. Another gives his own advice like "buy a cheaper car", we scream "mind your business". You made it everyone's business when you came to a public community forum asking for financial advice.

Let love lead abeg. Take what sounds good to you and leave the rest. The attacks are getting too much. The Sycophancy is glaring too cos we "look face" before attacking.

I come in peace.

It must be a full moon ..........

But you agree, this thread is much better than wikipedia/google combined ........ What makes sense to one, might not always make sense to another.......

Look at it like Ọja Oyingbo....... Loads to choose from.... ....

Some have made friends ...... Whilst others, lasting enemies........

JustJoy0717:
Hello gurus in the house,

I need your input on this on. Just received my 1st electricity bill for a flat i moved into on the 15th of March and it was a ricuclous £296 for 11th march to 29th April. Is this normal, or can i contest it. I live with 2 kids who are in school from 8-4pm, so i must say it was moderate use, except for the period i turned d heaters on.

Please advise.

Is it an all electric-heating flat? Cause leccy can be expensive when used for heating, even more so these days with the April increase, as someone else has pointed out.
That apart, did you take a meter reading when you took possession of the flat? Also note that some providers send estimated bills like the almighty NEPA and Discos, so this can be adjusted when you send them an actual reading, if you have that provision.

Lexusgs430:


It must be a full moon ..........

But you agree, this thread is much better than wikipedia/google combined ........ What makes sense to one, might not always make sense to another.......

Look at it like Ọja Oyingbo....... Loads to choose from.... ....

Some have made friends ...... Whilst others, lasting enemies........

Lol

Lexusgs430:


It must be a full moon ..........

But you agree, this thread is much better than wikipedia/google combined ........ What makes sense to one, might not always make sense to another.......

Look at it like Ọja Oyingbo....... Loads to choose from.... ....

Some have made friends ...... Whilst others, lasting enemies........

Sure, It's a beautiful community here. Let's not make people afraid to speak by shutting them down when they speak. But yeah, love it here. Lots of selfless information given out for free.

JustJoy0717:
Hello gurus in the house,

I need your input on this on. Just received my 1st electricity bill for a flat i moved into on the 15th of March and it was a ricuclous £296 for 11th march to 29th April. Is this normal, or can i contest it. I live with 2 kids who are in school from 8-4pm, so i must say it was moderate use, except for the period i turned d heaters on.

Please advise.

Is it Electric or Gas Heating?

Watch your Thermostat closely. Especially for Electric Heating. If you could keep the temperature really low, say 20° or less. My first Bill for my Electric Heated apartmemt was about £900. With proper management of the Heating, I was able to bring it down to about £160. It's getting to the season where we can turn off Heating, mine has been off for some weeks now. Your Hot water is another guzzler

Gurus, elders and newbies…

I came in June 2021 and I’m getting mortgage interest rates between 2.5% and 3.5%… what do you think about the rates?

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your mortgage interest rate?

Any tips to get lower rates? Even as BOE dragging us back

Thank you all for your valuable responses on the hot/warm shower. We have taken it up with the landlord and done some other adjustments to allow us cope pending when it is adressed.

HollyMadison:
Gurus, elders and newbies…

I came in June 2021 and I’m getting mortgage interest rates between 2.5% and 3.5%… what do you think about the rates?

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your mortgage interest rate?

Any tips to get lower rates? Even as BOE dragging us back

2.5 is not bad... rates are climbing high high at the moment as BOE increases theirs

Everything is now so expensive, I went to naija shop to do bulk shopping and I couldn't believe when I saw the total. . Meanwhile salary ain't tripling

HollyMadison:
Gurus, elders and newbies…

I came in June 2021 and I’m getting mortgage interest rates between 2.5% and 3.5%… what do you think about the rates?

If you don’t mind sharing, what’s your mortgage interest rate?

Any tips to get lower rates? Even as BOE dragging us back

Past interest rates are not really relevant as the rates are climbing. We re-mortgaged for 1.18% in Sept last year and fixed for 5 years. That rate is not even being offered anymore regardless of LVR! The best way to lower your rate is up your deposit. However remember you then won't have access to that money at all till that house is sold or re-mortgaged if it has appreciated in value.

Take the lowest rate available now as that may well not be available in 2 weeks time. Even if you move houses, you can usually port the mortgage and rates as well. The biggest thing will be deciding to fix for 2/3/5 years. Pay attention to the early repayment charges especially of you have plans to move within the next 3 years.

Ticha:


Past interest rates are not really relevant as the rates are climbing. We re-mortgaged for 1.18% in Sept last year and fixed for 5 years. That rate is not even being offered anymore regardless of LVR! The best way to lower your rate is up your deposit. However remember you then won't have access to that money at all till that house is sold or re-mortgaged if it has appreciated in value.

Take the lowest rate available now as that may well not be available in 2 weeks time. Even if you move houses, you can usually port the mortgage and rates as well. The biggest thing will be deciding to fix for 2/3/5 years. Pay attention to the early repayment charges especially of you have plans to move within the next 3 years.

What is currently annoying me is how houses are all selling at way over the Home Report Value. Not a great time to be a buyer Wallahi.

Ticha:


Past interest rates are not really relevant as the rates are climbing. We re-mortgaged for 1.18% in Sept last year and fixed for 5 years. That rate is not even being offered anymore regardless of LVR! The best way to lower your rate is up your deposit. However remember you then won't have access to that money at all till that house is sold or re-mortgaged if it has appreciated in value.

Take the lowest rate available now as that may well not be available in 2 weeks time. Even if you move houses, you can usually port the mortgage and rates as well. The biggest thing will be deciding to fix for 2/3/5 years. Pay attention to the early repayment charges especially of you have plans to move within the next 3 years.

Our Ticha and other Ancestors, Please how long do one need to be in the YouKay before he/she can start looking for/start Engaging Mortgage Advisors in order to enter property ladder.
This may will be our 5/6 months old here, Assuming we have Deposit now, can we start hunting?.

Between we opened LISA in February will this affect us Negatively?

For first time buyers who lives in the village like us, Do you advise we go for new build or old build.

Thank you for your kind advice.

Pearlyfaze:


Our Ticha and other Ancestors, Please how long do one need to be in the YouKay before he/she can start looking for/start Engaging Mortgage Advisors in order to enter property ladder.
This may will be our 5/6 months old here, Assuming we have Deposit now, can we start hunting?.

For first time buyers who lives in the village like us, Do you advise we go for new build or old build.

Thank you for your kind advice.

The earlier you start the better. Usually the biggest obstacle is the deposit so once you have that, Bob's (We need a 9ja name) is your uncle.

I hate new builds but that's me. There are pros and cons to both. My biggest issue with new builds is that they carry a price premium, usually smaller rooms and plots and the area is stark ie no trees, plants etc as they would have been chopped down to clear the site.

If you have school aged children, you can't go wrong by buying in good school areas regardless of new or old. Sometimes in a hot market like the current one, choice also gets taken away from you.

How about the energy efficiency that a new build gives with most new builds on EPC of A-B. Can one upgrade all these old builds to these EPC levels?

Ticha:



I hate new builds but that's me. There are pros and cons to both. My biggest issue with new builds is that they carry a price premium, usually smaller rooms and plots and the area is stark ie no trees, plants etc as they would have been chopped down to clear the site.

If you have school aged children, you can't go wrong by buying in good school areas regardless of new or old. Sometimes in a hot market like the current one, choice also gets taken away from you.

Ticha:


The earlier you start the better. Usually the biggest obstacle is the deposit so once you have that, Bob's (We need a 9ja name) is your uncle.

I hate new builds but that's me. There are pros and cons to both. My biggest issue with new builds is that they carry a price premium, usually smaller rooms and plots and the area is stark ie no trees, plants etc as they would have been chopped down to clear the site.

If you have school aged children, you can't go wrong by buying in good school areas regardless of new or old. Sometimes in a hot market like the current one, choice also gets taken away from you.

With the rising energy bills, it can go a long way in determining ones choice between old and new build. supposedly new build are more energy efficient as compared to old build. I really didn't know the impact of energy efficiency until I visited a friend on a cold winter day and noticed how their house was warm. I commented that they must be paying a lot for heating, he told me he pays around 100 quid monthly and that heating was not on at the moment, I checked the thermometer and the temperature was at 22 degrees, my head wan burst because in my house even when there is heat outside, the house is usually cold. his 4 bed -£100 , my 2 bed £340.I have installed draught excluders on doors and embarked on drastic energy saving measures.Hopefully it reflects in this month bill. when It gets to time to buy, I know it would play a role in my decision(amongst other factors). JJC like us dey learn everyday

Ticha:


Pay attention to the early repayment charges especially of you have plans to move within the next 3 years.

Thank you.

Do you know the requirements for agreement in principle? Do you know if 0% or 5% or 10% or 25% deposit of the property value is required to get the agreement in principle? I just like to get official and unofficial answers.

Pearlyfaze:
Please oga boss and other ancestors, I need a guide on paying off used fund on this credit card something. I dey see 15th May period ending. Please I want to know if it's the date to pay off the cash used, if yes can I pay down before the 15th?. I don't want anything to affect the small Credit history we dey try mould block for.

Is it better to set up a direct debit to pay off anything used?.

Please I need a guidance.

Na Amex card.

Apologies for the delayed response, You can pay anytime before the balance due date. just click the make a payment tab and follow the prompts. i always advice paying in full anytime before the due date.

Missing it attracts a 12 Pound "late payment fee" as well as interest on the outstanding amount.

it is also encouraged to not carry more than 25-30% of your credit limit into the statement closure date as that is what forms your "credit utilisation score" which is reported to the registry/bureau.

so what i do is, memorase/note my due date/statement dates. then spend, paydown from time to time. also, if i have #800 left in my limit and i want to pay for something thats 1000, i will pay #200 in, make my purchase, then still reduce it before that date. anything above 30% utilised that gets reported to the registry has an adverse effect on your Credit score.

This is my own self developed method and this is not financial advice.

ProfJYK:



Apologies for the delayed response, You can pay anytime before the balance due date. just click the make a payment tab and follow the prompts. i always advice paying in full anytime before the due date.

Missing it attracts a 12 Pound "late payment fee" as well as interest on the outstanding amount.

it is also encouraged to not carry more than 25-30% of your credit limit into the statement closure date as that is what forms your "credit utilisation score" which is reported to the registry/bureau.

so what i do is, memorase/note my due date/statement dates. then spend, paydown from time to time. also, if i have #800 left in my limit and i want to pay for something thats 1000, i will pay #200 in, make my purchase, then still reduce it before that date. anything above 30% utilised that gets reported to the registry has an adverse effect on your Credit score.

This is my own self developed method and this is not financial advice.

Thank you boss.

Ticha:


The earlier you start the better. Usually the biggest obstacle is the deposit so once you have that, Bob's (We need a 9ja name) is your uncle.

I hate new builds but that's me. There are pros and cons to both. My biggest issue with new builds is that they carry a price premium, usually smaller rooms and plots and the area is stark ie no trees, plants etc as they would have been chopped down to clear the site.

If you have school aged children, you can't go wrong by buying in good school areas regardless of new or old. Sometimes in a hot market like the current one, choice also gets taken away from you.

Thank you our Ticha.
No Huncle anywhere. just Grace and hard work.

Santa2:


With the rising energy bills, it can go a long way in determining ones choice between old and new build. supposedly new build are more energy efficient as compared to old build. I really didn't know the impact of energy efficiency until I visited a friend on a cold winter day and noticed how their house was warm. I commented that they must be paying a lot for heating, he told me he pays around 100 quid monthly and that heating was not on at the moment, I checked the thermometer and the temperature was at 22 degrees, my head wan burst because in my house even when there is heat outside, the house is usually cold. his 4 bed -£100 , my 2 bed £340.I have installed draught excluders on doors and embarked on drastic energy saving measures.Hopefully it reflects in this month bill. when It gets to time to buy, I know it would play a role in my decision(amongst other factors). JJC like us dey learn everyday

Where I am currently staying in, is an old build, Don't know how old though. I pay £124 monthly for gas and Electric fixed and I moved in here last month.

Why is Naira appreciating like this.
I don't even know whether to like it or not to like it.

Viruses:
Why is Naira appreciating like this.
I don't even know whether to like it or not to like it.

Santa2:


With the rising energy bills, it can go a long way in determining ones choice between old and new build. supposedly new build are more energy efficient as compared to old build. I really didn't know the impact of energy efficiency until I visited a friend on a cold winter day and noticed how their house was warm. I commented that they must be paying a lot for heating, he told me he pays around 100 quid monthly and that heating was not on at the moment, I checked the thermometer and the temperature was at 22 degrees, my head wan burst because in my house even when there is heat outside, the house is usually cold. his 4 bed -£100 , my 2 bed £340.I have installed draught excluders on doors and embarked on drastic energy saving measures.Hopefully it reflects in this month bill. when It gets to time to buy, I know it would play a role in my decision(amongst other factors). JJC like us dey learn everyday

Me i am a living testimony… I used to live in a 2 bed property with an EPC rating of E in London loool, and I was paying 1300 per month (without bills). The property was extremely colddd, even when heating was on i will still need to have something thick on. At the time i was spending about 300 per month only on electricity . By the time i paid all bills my outgoing was about 1800 for a 2 bed. The most painful thing to me at the time was, I was spending this much but yet wasn’t living in comfort. It was extremely terrible, serious moulds started to grow in the flat.

Not to go on and on but since that experience I became extremely conscious of a property’s epc rating. My current property is B, so right now I have my windows open wide because its too warm hahahaha

specialenvoy:
How about the energy efficiency that a new build gives with most new builds on EPC of A-B. Can one upgrade all these old builds to these EPC levels?

Our old house (about 90 years old) has an EPC of B. Mainly because we gutted and renovated it. It's reasonably easy enough to check those things before one buys. Agents have to provide an EPC certificate anyway. My FIL's house is over 200 years old and very warm - it's too hot in the summer although to be fair, it's cold in February but we love it! It's been completely renovated and well insulated.

Be that as it may, I'd actually take a large old house with proper garden space with a lower EPC over a newer smaller house in an estate with a higher EPC.

Other people may prefer a newer home, warmer home, close to transport links home. It's all choice really at the end of the day.

PS - I didn't quite answer your question. We have underfloor heating throughout the ground floor (wooden flooring), have an open fire with heat transfer upstairs as well, we lined the walls when it was being renovated, changed to double glazed windows (the original windows were single glazed), all rooms have radiators and we insulated the loft (lined and completed battened down).

However, I do absolutely hate new builds. Like from the very bottom of my heart full on hate them . So that bias will always seep through.

This energy bills be scaring me. Always stayed in a shared apartment, all bills inclusive but seriously considering setting up on my own.
So if I were to get a 1 bed apartment with good EPC rating, can anyone give me a rough estimate on what to expect on bills? Water, gas/electric, council tax etc...

I know that no two situations are alike but an estimate will help me prepare budget

HollyMadison:


Thank you.

Do you know the requirements for agreement in principle? Do you know if 0% or 5% or 10% or 25% deposit of the property value is required to get the agreement in principle? I just like to get official and unofficial answers.

You're buying to live in right? Then it's usually 10% unless you're going for the government 95% mortgage scheme then it's 5% but only specific banks offer that.

Pearlyfaze:



Thank you our Ticha.
No Huncle anywhere. just Grace and hard work.

that wasn't what I meant. It's a British saying - Bob's your uncle! Just means you're good to go!

Hello House,
If NHS Tier 2 Staff does 9hours bank shift with the same sponsored employer and did 20hours with agency within the same week, has he violated 20hours rule?