Public Utilities

The costs of owning a modest Home, in OZ.
Here the cost for Utilities is getting beyond a Joke,and getting harder every year.
Our land rates icluding Bin collection,once a fortnight is now $1200+ a year.

Townwater (Swamp Water) is $1200+ a year.Cant drink the water.Smells like wet dog.Have to drink bottled water.

Electricity Bill came yesterday $800+ for 2 people for 3 mths.
Used the same last year,at this time, and was $390+

How does this compare with the cost of owning a Home in your area?

They keep raising the Costs,and I will be looking for a Tent to live in.
My Rant for the Day.

 

Here the bank wants you to give them a kidney!

 

Gosh, it's horrible isn't it?

Here the land property taxes had to be pre-paid 3 weeks after we moved in last Spring and I was gasping then. This year because of the 'recession' the house value has fallen over $40,000 - yet the same taxes went up over $300 and now sit at $3,848. It does include water but still, sob! (Garbage pick up is not included in our taxes - we have to pay private companies to do it).

Our hydro bill is lower than yours, Dougie - but that could be because we don't have air conditioning. But that said, with all these fans running day and night now, suspect the bill for July is going to be scary when we get it.

Apparently we live in the 'wrong' Country when it comes to owning a house .

If I understand correctly, people in the States can buy a house where their mortgage payment and interest rate can remain the same for the entire time until the house is paid off. Not here.

And the interest paid on their mortgage during the year can actually be used as a deduction on one's personal income tax return. Not here.

Don't know if people in other Countries have to pay taxes on the cost of a new house when purchasing it, but we do here. And taxes on the services of a lawyer to draw up the mortgage papers at the Bank/Credit Union ... taxes on the services of a lawyer to complete the transaction. Hire a plumber, pay taxes on top of the cost for his/her 'services'. Lots of taxes here.

I love Canada but each year more and more and more people in this 'rich' Country become homeless or fall below the poverty line - and I suspect this is becoming more and more common in other Countries as well. (No kidney asked for here yet ... but pretty much everything else).

 

Buying a Home here in Sydney can prove a very costly exercise.
The average price is around 1 million,and to get anything decent,one has to pay $500-$600 Thousand,and thats way out on the fringes of the City.
Normal Deposits are 10%,but it's the hidden costs which are the killer.

Examples.Averages.
Government Stamp Duty on a $600,000 is around $20,000.
Pest Inspection $500
Building Inspection $500
Loan Application Fee $ 700
Mortgage acc keeping fees $300-$400 yearly
Bank Valualtion of Property$300-$400
Land Rates payable soon after occupation. $1200
Water Rates $1200
Power Connection,Deposit $ 400 average.
Switch Pay TV $100
Redirection of mail. $69.95 Yearly.
Removalists.$?
This is all before you buy a stick of new Furniture,or a Bottle of milk.
If you are a first home buyer,some states have Stamp Duty concessions.
The Dream of owning your own Home,remains that,for many.
Suppose it's similar in other Countries.

 

OK LOL living in the UK this is the minefield of hidden charges we have to negotiate

House Buying Costs - Essential Guide to the Cost of Buying a New Home

Then for policing,fire,waste collection, schools and alike

Wolverhampton City Council - Council Tax Property Bands and Charges

Water, waste water removal including rain lol

Our charges : Your bill : Household : Severn Trent Water

Electric and Gas (Yes British Gas sells Electric and Electric Companies sell gas so why they don't rebrand them selves as Energy providers I'll never know)

Websaver Gas and Electricity - British Gas

OK if you have got to here and still have no Idea of what the average price is in the UK then don't worry cause very few do. and as I have just moved house and because of the different payment scheme's I couldn't tell you my average usage, and what I pay this year affects how little or more I pay next year depending on If I end in Credit or Debt.

 

It's so daunting!! And all our governments seem guilty of not realizing that when they tax the pooey out of us, there is little money to spend - leading to an economy 'slump'. And worse, perhaps the days of the average person being able to retire in comfort is only a memory - as at this rate, most of us are more concerned about becoming homeless than our old-age futures.

Aaah, if only our governments would spend taxpayers money with the same great care and responsibility that we run our home budgets! :cryz:

 

Im still paying people for unneeded organs to fund my monitor:-
£20 per kidney
£40 per liver

I will even perform the surgery required

That will help if you are running out of cash to fund your utilities lol

 

I recieved a sweetener, in the Post today.
Our Government is roof insulating every Home,up to 100 sq mtres completely free of charge.
I have 7 days to reply.
This is costing the Gov 3.7 Billion Dollars.
They will remove my old roof insulation,free of charge.
This is a good idea,as our heat is terrible in Summer. Up to 44C
Sometimes, Governments do something right.

 

Wow, and no selling of your organs to have it done either!

That's terrific, Doug - wonder what kind of insulation they are going to use? Apparently there is all sorts of new types that try block the heat now.

 

Will know more today,Mara.I have a Phone Number, to ring.

 

Please let us know when you discover what they'll be using (I'm tempted to fill our attic with masses of spray foam - grin).

What a fortune this is going to save - not just the cost of removing old stuff and disposing of the old stuff but replacing it with newer and better insulation ... plus your air conditioner can work less and save on your energy bill, too - yipee!!

 

Am I missing something here?
Insulation is designed to keep the heat in not out.

If you want to let the heat out you need windows in your loft room like mine, or cut big holes in the roof and hope it doesnt rain

 

Not entirely correct Insulation is designed to prevent the transfer of heat, so it can Keep heat in, or prevent Heat entering, the latter being usless in the UK, But in warmer climates I would have thought it could be quite useful

so would two big pipes one taking cold air from the UK to Australia for their Air Con and another taking Hot air from Australia to the UK for heating.

The great thing about this is that you wouldn't need to pump the air as cold air sinks and hot air rises