You should have been given a post code for your flat. Stick it in this search engine http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/

use similar for your "mobile"

"stamping your passport" do they still have stamps?

glad you made it dobby. i don't remember anyone suggesting that the flat agency didn't exist, but we did wonder if you'd really budgeted properly - the cost of the taxi being a case in point.

why so surprised that there are "so many cars" in a small village? were you expecting brits to get around in pony and traps?

please carry on sharing you thoughts and experiences with us - it looks like being a hoot.

If you need an internet point, pop into your local library (if there is one in your village)

Hi Dobby,

I hope you enjoy your stay in the UK, and that you will be more polite to Fodorites who are trying to help you.

The high taxi fare is a foretaste of things to come, as prices are generally higher in the UK than in the US. A good rule of thumb is is that what you pay in $ in the US will be about the same in £ here in the UK. With the exchange rate at roughly 1.6:1, that means you will be paying about 60% more than what you are used to in the US.

For broadband you will need a landline from British Telecom and a contract with one of the internet service providers. Some companies, e.g. Sky, offer a bundle that includes landline, broadband, and digital television coverage, but you will probably need a 12 month contract. What I suggest is to get a BT landline and find an ISP that won't lock you into a long contract.

If your area has 3G, you can get internet access through cellphone providers, but coverage is much more limited in villages than in large towns and cities.

Depending on where your village is you probably won't get broadband even with a landline. Many many villages just don't have it - too expensive to run to them. Where my SIL lives in a small village near Canterbury they have no chance of broadband as they are too far from the exchange. They are now clubbing together to install their own glass fibre network.

I would investigate a pay as you go mobile phone/internet deal if I were you. If you don't already have one then some providers offer good deals on PAYG with a dongle for your computer.
Try talking to your neighbours - one of them may share their internet link with you for a small fee.

Cheap mobile phones can be bought for around £10 in most big supermarkets.
Best cheap smartphone out there at the moment is probably the T-Mobile Vivacity at around £50. You could use this with a cheapish data plan and "tether" your laptop (depending on coverage)

For Broadband, ask the locals what is available. Your biggest problem is likely to be finding a reasonable package that will allow you to only have a short term contract - most are at least a year or 18 months.
You could consider a mobile 3g dongle they vary in packages, but you can get one for about £15 and top up £15 a month for 15GB internet (Again, check the network coverage)

Hetismij2, what you say is true, but varies from area to area. It all depends upon how far your home is from the local telephone exchange. I live in a small village, and can get 3 meg broadband, but no 3G coverage. Without 3G a dongle would be useless.

Seriously? You say no rude comments but you can type HAHA to people you want to help you?

Hope it works out for you, and glad there are people here willing to help you out but me, I'm going to bow out of all things Dobby. You are one nervy kid.

<<Anyway, did you know that it can cost 55 quid for a 20-30 min cab ride??>>

Yes, we did know that.

"Yes, we did know that."

yep - And you would have known too if you had asked - but being bratty and wanting to keep your destination super duper, double decoder ring secret, you didn't ask.

tee hee

(wonder what other 'revelations' you'll have?)

Serious question! Do you think it's safe to connection to a unsecured BT network? It says I have to pay a 1 hour, 1 day, 5 day, or 30 day pass. Is it safe to buy while on the unsecured BT connection? I'm nervous

I wouldn't connect to it....you open whatever is on your computer and everything you type up to anyone that can access that connection.

Dobby, yes, it will almost certainly be safe - the actual page on which you need to enter your CC details will be encrypted before the data is sent across the "open" network.

>>Serious question! Do you think it's safe to connection to a unsecured BT network? It says I have to pay a 1 hour, 1 day, 5 day, or 30 day pass. Is it safe to buy while on the unsecured BT connection? I'm nervous<<

Yes, it's just a BT Openzone hotspot, all perfectly legit - BT is the phone flag carrier in the UK (it stands for British Telecom, if you hadn't guessed).

Sounds okay to me, as long as you use safe internet surfing practices. Keep your antivirus software up to date, and don't go on dodgy websites like the "Sales rolex replica" post above (which will probably have been removed by the moderators by the time you read this).

If you are making purchases over the internet look for https in the address bar and the padlock icon. This indicates encryption.

I find it interesting DTT that you start off with "serious question". Does that mean all your other questions were not serious and you were just jerking everyone around?

Socaltraveler-I have much to say but will bow out likewise. All these HA HA's make me feel like I'm back in high school.

I can say is that even in small villages the UK is expensive so budgeting is key and that a PAYG cheap mobile from Carphone Warehouse is probably your best bet.

TTT, as I just have to follow this.

More questions are welcome, Dobby, we'll help if we can. But in return tell us how things are going for you in your village.

I like the South Park imagery. Now who is Kenny?

socal and emily - If you have something to say, feel free

Are the flat and village what you were expecting?

Hi Dobby,
I followed your other thread with interest but never posted. Everyone on this board is no doubt older than you, some by a couple of years, and some of us by a lifetime, but most everyone wants to help out a fellow Fodorite.

I work with many employees that are young like you are and I receive emails from them much like your postings. I understand your HAHA comments mean somewhat like my WHEW comment would mean if I were to post the same experience.

We love to read trip reports so please share your experiences. We all just need to remember there are many different generations on this board and words and phrases don't always translate well, from both the poster and the person responding.

Enjoy your experience!

Pretty sure my neighbors are perverts. Caught two people peeping up at my window. .__.

Nah . . . They are just curious about a teenager w/ a weird accent arriving by taxi and staying in the flat where the serial killer used to live

You can move to a small English village, live there for 30 years, and still be considered an outsider — even if you are English. Dobby, you must be a great source of curiosity for the villagers, a bit like ET.

"Pretty sure my neighbors are perverts. Caught two people peeping up at my window."

What's wrong with looking in a window? Windows work both ways.

For info. in the UK there are laws that criminalises looking in windows and flashing your body, in your house, in front of a window. Go figure and good luck.

"What's wrong with looking in a window? Windows work both ways."

I can't stop giggling at that.

Are we sure this village isn't Royston Vasey?

Patrick

No, It cannot be Royston Vasey. That's a local village, for local people.

There's nothing for you here.

Had to look up Royston Vasey. I'll post a link for those other Yanks who don't have a clue what they are on about -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royston_Vasey

Or perhaps this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meF7NmfnXZ0

Look, he's not staying at Royston Vasey.

He's staying at Howling. Near Cold Comfort Farm.

"There's something nasty in the wood shed ....."

I for one, am looking forward to the tv series Dobby.

You don't have a cell phone or internet connection so how are you posting on this thread?

Can you post some pictures of the village once you get internet access, Dobby?

I have a feeling that your stay is going to be cut in half when you realize how much money you are going through. Just saying...

Serious questions, Dobby:

Is there a village pub? Shop? Church? You have to meet people some way (the last one wouldn't work for me, but...) Say good morning, hello etc when you pass people on the street, everyone does in my village. You may get lonely after months of having no one to talk to.

Top way to socialise = walk a dog, preferably two.

Will no-one give Dobby a sock?

"Pretty sure my neighbors are perverts. Caught two people peeping up at my window. .__."

Probably Fodorites on a fact-finding mission.

"Pretty sure my neighbors are perverts. Caught two people peeping up at my window. .__.">>

they were probably being friendly - if they'd seen you, they'd have invited you round for tea.

[BTW, I've moved into 3 different english villages in my life, and been met only with friendliness].

On this continent, I have yet to meet a key and a door I haven't fought with

Dobby, go to the pub and learn to play darts (try not to hit anyone). Learn a bit about football (soccer) and which Premier League side most locals support. Avoid telling everyone how we do things in America (they have heard it all before). Don't disappear when it is your turn to buy a round.

Patronise the village shop rather than buying everything from the supermarket, even though it will cost you more. If you are religious, attend a few services in your parish church. Rein in your attitude. If you do those things, you may just enjoy living in an English village.

burglar - I have the right to walk around naked as much as I please. I don't have curtains yet so it's not MY fault. But it doesn't give others the right to peep in and have a free show.

peter- You are wrong

I have internet access cause out of all the luck I was able to connect to a free nearby wifi. It's slow but it works

you're walking round naked? where this can be seen through the curtains?

that would definitely cause the odd raised eyebrow.

of course you have the RIGHT to do this. but do you think it's sensible?

>>I don't have curtains yet so it's not MY fault.<<

All right, I'll bite.

Yes, it is. Get curtains or keep your clothes on, or don't complain. End of.

oops - missed the no curtains bit. not sure why you can't afford them as I'd understood that money wasn't a problem for you.

but definitely wear clothes if you've got no curtains.

Actually, there have been court cases in the US where someone walking around a curtainless house while naked was successfully sued by her neighbor, because the child next door saw them. Yes, that's the UK - but unless you've researched the local laws, you never know.

Dobby, good luck with your trip. I found the best way to meet the locals is to hang out at the pub, and sit at the bar. They will engage you in conversation. Offer to buy them a drink. They will reciprocate. I usually bring a small notebook and write my trip report notes - they always ask what I'm writing. It helps to break the ice.

Dobby in the UK your behaviour "burglar - I have the right to walk around naked as much as I please. I don't have curtains yet so it's not MY fault. But it doesn't give others the right to peep in and have a free show. " would be constituted a crime though not against children per se but against the general public.

Laws vary by the country. You do not have a right to walk around naked in front of an uncovered window in the UK. Not in Magna Carta either. Police will not care if it is not your fault (ah to be so young that saying "not my fault" meant something) and lack of knowledge of the law is not an acceptable excuse in the UK either.

Must be warmer than usual in England right now, or DTT has plenty of money for heating. Seems we can add exhibitionism to the character sketch. May be too late for good relations with the locals.

He just has gotta go to the pub and tell us about what he found

If they had a problem with me showing off my body then they wouldn't be just standing there and lurking. By the way it's not like I can't afford curtains it's just I don't feel like buying them right now. I can do what I want in my own place. Also yes it is very warm here, just today it started raining but still wasn't that cold outside, just wet The weather has been very nice all week that I've been here.

OK - you rented a flat and it doesn't have curtains? That means it doesn't have anything else either. (otherwise it would have been furnished). So you are sitting on and sleeping on what exactly???

(Are you really posting from your grandmother's basement in Kansas?)

I mentioned in my other thread that it was unfurnished. I'm sleeping on an airbed I got from amazon .____.

>>I can do what I want in my own place.<<

No, you can't (see above), unless you're prepared to risk arguing it all out with your neighbours, and conceivably a magistrate's court - and even then you might well lose.

Dobby the Turtle is now Dobby the Flasher

Exposure: A person commits an offence if—
(a)he intentionally exposes his genitals, and
(2)A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years

So there you are Dobby.
If on the other hand you are Miss Dobby, you could probably put a collection box outside the window to raise money for curtains.

just wondering how you managed to get stuff from amazon?

Why not? Amazon.co.uk

Dobby - those neighbours were probably just embarrassed!

They had come round to be friendly, realised that you were in the nuddy, and were trying to escape without you realising that they were there and had seen you.

They were trying to spare your feelings.

Boy, nothing is your fault, right?

Bookmarking for future idle distraction.

It might help make friends locally if you ask in the village shop if they will put up an advert to see if anyone's got any spare secondhand curtains for sale.

good idea Patrick.

and some blankets for that air-bed when the nights start to get colder at the end of this month.

I wonder how much Dobby is paying for this luxurious accommodation.

anyone else here being reminded of the Harry Enfield "I saw you coming" sketch?

If someone had given him a sock, he could have use it to keep parts of his body warm.

Oh come on guys, the guy has traveled to the UK and is living in the place and I think how he sees it will be interesting.

I also think he will have a great story to tell his children. Though maybe the whole genital flashing thing may be modified in the telling.

bilbo - i think I've been quite encouraging.

but you must admit it's pretty funny - s/he's walking round nude with no curtains, the neighbours come round to be friendly and spot him/her through the curtainless windows, and beat a retreat, and it's Dobby who thinks that THEY are the odd ones.

ann you have been very positive as have loads of people. I think it takes a certain sense of humour.

I think it takes a certain sense of humour. >>

I'm waiting to see if Dobby can see the joke.

"I wonder how much Dobby is paying for this luxurious accommodation."

In his/her other thread it was said to be £390 per month.

In the other thread I wondered at the apparent plan to have nothing to sit on for the next 6 months - including the long dark winter nights - except the airbed. How are you finding it, Dobbie - or have you bought a chair too now?

I'm sure we are all also keen to know how you are getting on for eating and drinking, since you said you can't cook (as well as having no pots, pans, crockery, cutlery etc). Are you eating in the pub or getting takeaways every night? Are you having fun? Genuinely interested to know how you are finding it.

I am wondering about this flat, too - I spent most of my adult life renting flats in the UK and even the unfurnished ones had curtains or blinds. Is it just newly-built or what?

I don't cook either, and had no problem with microwave dinners, sandwiches, soups, etc. on a regular basis. Until I found a husband that cooked for me

GreenDragon - but presumably you had plates & cutlery?

and a microwave, and bowls, and, you know -'stuff' . . .

Dobby, have to say I smiled when i saw this second post from you and i genuinely enjoy your attempt at playing us al along with your story- so thanks for that and if you are in fact here than welcome to the UK. But......

I'm sorry but until you give us a name for the village it is highly likely a lot of people on here will not believe your story. There is no reasonable explanation for not telling us even the general area...your fear of someone here stalking you is absolutely mad and I don't believe you believe that for a second which makes me think that there is another reason you are being so secretive!

C'mon just tell us the local area!! or at least take a photo or something of a small part of this village so we can get a good idea that is is an English village! (If you must make it one that will not totally give away which village it is)with evidence that you are there (put a small drawing of a turtle or even a rubber turtle on a wall a photograph it maybe)- go on think how many people you could prove are wrong.....

go on prove us doubters wrong......

I cannot believe that many of you are still believing this!!

If we all clap hard enough, children......

I have complete belief in Dobby, if only on the Peter Pan - fairies principle, I just want to know how he is getting on.

A thought has just struck me. Can it be Ambridge?

...or perhaps Brigadoon?

How are things in Glockamorra these days?

or Ballamory?

caroline, janisj - when I first moved up to WV, none of my stuff was here yet. For about a month, I used plastic forks/spoons, etc., paper plates/bowls. A microwave was part of the apartment I rented. It can be done on the cheap, as long as you are willing to deal with it.

The unfurnished flat would not be too great an issue. Microwaves are relatively cheap (£40 at the local supermarket)
Cutlery, plates, dishes, cups etc can usually be had for pennies at car boot sales, or for slightly more at charity shops.

Dobby did state in an earlier thread that their intention was to live off the varied and assorted takeaways from the numerous providers found in most English villages.

Dobby did state in an earlier thread that their intention was to live off the varied and assorted takeaways from the numerous providers found in most English villages.>>

naughty, naughty, willit - you know that irony is not allowed.

my local chippy sells curry sauce!

I don't care if you guys don't believe me. I really am here in England living in a village. And no I'm not living in any of the places you mentioned.

I would like to ask where is a good place to buy a mini fridge? I'm sick of drinking warm soda -.- Also I have great news. I found a place that will deliver my laundry! They pick up my dirty clothes from my flat and then bring them back clean Also went to V fest.

And if you haterz don't believe me then you can just stop posting in my thread. x

Either go into your nearest big town although white goods stores are often in out of town retail areas hard to get to without a car), or try online.

John Lewis is reliable but won't have the biggest selection; Argos is usually quite cheap; Curry's should have a reasonable selection

www.johnlewis.com
www.argos.co.uk
www.currys.co.uk

Tell us where you are living, and we can direct you in the direction of a fridge seller.

Or try the Costco at John O’Groats – they have a fridge sale every few weeks.

What's a "V fest"?

I've never disbelieved DTT. It's like those Ripley's Believe or Not stories - the more fantastic, the truer the story.

And yes, I do recall Dobby mentioning that s/he likes to be in the nude, which did raise a number of gray eyebrows.

Those plastic knives and forks can be washed and reused - even the paper plates can be washed and reused - hope Dobby has a clothesline and clothespins to hang the paper plates.

"What's a "V fest"?

http://www.vfestival.com/

Ah - so either Staffs or Essex or thereabouts?

Last weekend, near Chelmsford, Essex. Now I believe you, Dobby!

I was at V Fest too, which one were you at Dobby? It was boiling down in Essex!

Dobby, the links to the white goods sites are great. The trick is get them to deliver and take away the packaging (believe me this can fill your flat). When you log on try and select one that roughly tells you when they will deliver and then phones you when they are half an hour away so you don't have to hang around for the whole day.

The packaging will tell you that you should not use the fridge for 24 hours, do follow these instructions or the thing could be short lived.

Mention of V-fest (near Chelmsford) makes me think this is not a hoax....

Thanks for the explanation of the "V fest".

Guess my slip (age) is showing!

heard an asian person with an english accent

He's probably English, then. How about an update on your visit?

Dobby your are back on screen, tell us how has it been?

"heard an asian person with an english accent"

Only one? You must not be getting out very much . . .

I'm glad to see you back posting Dobby. I hope you'll update us with what's been going on. I'm enjoying following you.

Up here they speak in Broad Yorkshire just like normal folk.

Hard to believe really.

Helloo there, Dobby!

How was the "v" fest?

Did you get your fridge?

>>heard an asian person with an english accent <<

You've just ordered your first takeaway? I'm impressed.

Dobby, I put it to you that you are staying in a village near Babington House and you are the unknown guest at James Corden's wedding (which presumably you gatecrashed), as pictured in the Hello! magazine of 1st October - a dead ringer for your profile photo

Is it normal to pay tax when you're not a resident of the UK?? Like I got a letter in the mail saying I have to pay 234 per month for taxes. This is not fair cause I'm not even aloud to work. And I'm only here for 3 and half more months. And it said that the money would go to schools and the police force, like that's suppose to make me feel better. >____>

It is likely your council tax - this covers the cost of your garbage pick-up, local city services etc. Yes, I believe the occupier of the property is responsible for paying this as you are the one using the services. It is not an income tax so has nothing to do with you working, its for the services you are using in your local area.

You may be able to get a tax rebate perhaps? I am not a tax accountant but as I was non-resident for a while I believe I could get some taxes back when I did my income tax, but my accountant took care of it for me. If you arent working I am not sure how it would work.

It will need to be paid, perhaps you should call your landlord and see why they arent paying it since you are only in the country 3.5 months....?

Here is a government website that may help you:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/index.htm

The only service I'm using is throwing my trash in the bins. That's not worth 234.19 pounds. That's robbery. I have concerts to go to, and restaurants to explore. I'm not paying -.-

Yes, this will be council tax (+ water & sewage rates).

When the Tory government of the 80s changed domestic rates to what is now council tax (via the poll tax), they also sneakily changed it so that in the case of rented accommodation, the tenant not the landlord is responsible. So they've got you bang to rights, your only consolation is that a single resident gets a discount (25% I seem to remember). Youe working status is irrelevant, the only thing that would get you off would be if you were eligible for British income-based income support - and you're not. This should be spelled out as your responsibility in your rental contract. And I daresay it's one the the things helpful Fodorites tried to warn you about as an additional cost in your original thread.

Gatecrashed any more celebrity weddings lately?

Hahah welcome to the world of adulthood. Sometimes you pay as a group for things for the better of the community even if you dont use it - for example the local schools. And you dont get to decide what the value is - you just get the bill.

Call your landlord and try to get them to pay it. Check your rental agreement and see if you committed to paying it and if not then they should likely be paying it and maybe it just came to your address by mistake instead of theirs.

Interesting Caroline - sounds like you will be stuck paying it Dobby.

PS - you are using a lot more than the trash bins, you get to enjoy the streets that are cleaned using the council tax etc. You can find out exactly what they spend it on here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/YourlocalcouncilandCouncilTax/YourCommunity/DG_196382

Welcome to the UK

£234 a month for taxes? Seems severe- is there a breakdown?

I ask because I have a reasonable home, mid banding of Council tax and mine is only £140 a month. Even if you add unmetred water to that (can be £40 a month) it still comes up well short of £234.

If worst comes to worst, and you end up before the magistrate, I strongly suggest you don't go for the "concerts and restaurants" defence.

No I have a seperate bill for water. I get my first bill next month. Robbery But whatever I leave in 3 months, I think I can get away with it or just go to hotel

Did yall know that they don't sell kraft cheese slices here???

Willit, we paid £226pm council tax for a 2 bedroom flat in Leith - and the Scottish Government has mandated a freeze on council tax for the last few years, so it could have been a lot higher. Modern flats tend to get clobbered as you can't prove what they'd have been worth when the last rating was done (1991 in Scotland). And different local authorities charge different amounts.

It didn't say anything about a discount on the bill. It's full price. I don't think they know I live alone and I'm only 18. I went to the website and I should pay like 170ish? That's still too much. I could buy like 3 pairs of converse with that!

Dobby, call them and tell them about the discounts and they will adjust the bill. Unfortunately it is a part of the cost of living in the UK.

Dobby

I am stunned it is so expensive. If you want, I can look over it for you, see if there is anything strange going on.

Email me at grumpyoik@gmail.com if you want to discuss it - I won't be offended if you choose not to. You can send me a photo with the name address etc cut out if need be.

This is a genuine offer , as a UK resident I might be more familiar with common charges.

Caroline - I am genuinely shocked at your tax bill. I'd have guessed that Hampshire would have been high but obviously I am wrong.

No, they send you a bill with the full amount & you have to apply for the single occupant discount. No discount for being 18, i.e. an adult.

Willit, see my note above - we paid about that for a flat in Edinburgh where council tax has been frozen for several years.

Yes there is a discount for being 18/19 and a full time student. Go away if you're not going to be helpful!

Dobby - that will be full time students in the UK - I dont think this will apply to you.

Some things are just soooooo bloody predictable, aren't they?

Might be about time to start a new thread about how you're going to get OUT of the UK.

The good news, as Caroline wrote, is you pay only 75% when you live alone. The bad news is you will have to pay it. Why do you think it doesn't apply to you? Council tax is the equivalent of property tax in the US, but here it is charged to the resident rather than the property owner. Just like in the US, you are paying for schools, roads, police, and other services whether you use them or not.

Are you watching television in your apartment, Dobby? If so, you need to buy a TV license at £145 per year, and if you don't have one you will be getting a knock on the door. This applies even if you are streaming live TV through your computer, so you don't have to own a television set to be liable.

It would be easier to help you if you weren't so secretive about where you are staying. What property band is your apartment in? Is the £234 per month for each of the six months you are staying, or is it higher to catch up with arrears?

no I don't have a tv. I don't care if the money goes to police, schools and libraries, that don't have anything to do with ME. I'm not using that stuff here so why should have I have to pay. It's not fair.

BTW a LICENSE for a tv?? What is wrong with this country??

Same thing happens in the US and Canada, Dobby. You pay for those things in your property tax whether you use them or not. Like I said, the community pays for the greater good. I paid property tax in Vancouver for 5 years and pay council tax in London now and I dont have kids. Thats how the government is able to offer the services it does.

Whether it is fair or not in your opinion makes no difference - you have chose to like in the UK and now you have to play by the rules here.

Yes, in the UK we pay tv licence that goes to pay for things like BBC. It is publically funded and therefore has no commercials. It makes it money to run on the tv licenses.

When you live in a different country you live by the rules of that country and these are examples of how different countries run themselves differently. Fair or not that is just how it is.

That should read CHOSEN to LIVE in the UK.

BLAH BLAH BLAAAAAHHHHH

Your maturity cracks me up. Enjoy the real world

You may not be using schools or libraries (why aren't you using the library?) but you're for sure using the police and the roads.

And I'll bet you think you won't have to pay for roads, schools, police, etc in the US. Sorry, but you will! If you aren't paying property tax directly, it will come out of your rent. Up until now mommy and daddy have been paying for you, but when you are an adult (hopefully you will grow up soon) it will be your responsibility.

Oh, and you didn't answer my question. My guess is that the £234 per month bill is to make up for the three months that you haven't paid. In that case your monthly council tax bill would be more like £120 (before the 25% discount).

Questions: if I rent a flat in the UK (different for England and Scotland?), at what stage of the transaction is the landlord supposed to disclose the council tax? If I sub-let, who is responsible? Back in the dark ages, when I lived in England, renters didn't pay rates, so this was a surprise to me, too.

So the cheap flat is not working out to be so cheap in the end.

Normally, foreigners or other people renting apartments for short periods would find a holiday-rental type deal where there is no council tax or TV licence to worry about.

You seem to have rented a normal apartment which didn't include all the 'extras' that holiday rentals do.

Live and learn, eh....

Thursdaysd, that is not completely true. Most landlords would include rates in the rental agreement, but not all. In some cases the renter would have to pay the rates himself, but rates came out of the renter's pocket in one way or another. In those days water was included in the rates rather than paid separately.

Dobby, have you gotten your water bill yet? What about the electricity bill?

@Heimdall - I agree that ultimately the renter paid the rates, I just know that as a renter, I never paid them directly. Of course, I did pay the TV license.

I do not know whether to laugh or cry, but one thing remains true, living abroad has certainly not matured our young traveler. Always read the fine print.

Dobby - you thought we were all stooooopid when we were giving you advice. Who looks stooooopid now???

What's this "I'm only 18" c^&p? You are playing at being an adult so now you see what being an adult means.

I thought you wanted to experience being part of the community. That means supporting it. Schools, libraries, are essential aspects of community. You are a whiny child.

Dobbie, go read your rental contract. Once you understand that you can work out if you need to talk to your landlord or not.

If the contract is clear and you have to pay the bill, get it reduced as a single occupant and then pay it.

It is never good starting an adult life with an outstanding debt. The "smell" of not paying will haunt you for some years and may affect future employment prospects.

Keep going, you are having an adventure, as they say "life is a c**p sandwich, the more bread you have the better it is".

Good advice from bilgoburgler, but it's a little more serious than just owing money. Evading council tax could land you in court with a criminal record. If you move into a hotel now, you will still owe for the three months you have already incurred. While you are at it, find out what other bills you will be receiving, e.g. water & sewage, electricity, etc.

Heimdell & thursdaysd, I rented flats in Britain from 1974-2001. After domestic rates changed first to the poll tax & then to the council tax, as the tenant I was *always* responsible for paying. The only case I can imagine where this might not apply is in some shared student-type flats, where the owner/agent might think it's safer to pay it themselves & recoup it through the rent.

willit, sadly our last flat in Edinburgh (which we owned anyway) was council tax band F - for a 2 bedroom flat in a tough part of town. Like I said, I think modern flats can get clobbered - we were in a higher band than people we knew with 4/5 bedroom houses in posh parts of town. I tried appealing against the banding once I realised I could but I'd left it too late (more than 6 months after moving in). Ftom the appeal tribunal I went to, I got the impression that even if I hadn't been time-barred, the council officer involved would have just said that there were 2 bedroom flats worth £80k or whatever in Leith in 1991 (even though I know there can't possibly have been), and it would have been my opinion aainst his. Although Scottish council tax has been frozen for several years, Edinburgh's may be comparatively high anyway, as I know it varies a lot between councils. When I lived in Sheffield, my rates were more than my rent! Otoh when I then lived in Westminster, my poll tax was £25pa & my brother's in Wandsworth was free!!

Dobbie could try appealing against the banding but he evidently hasn't got the attention span, the intelligence or the application - he'd obviously rather just whinge then brag about how he's going to get a criminal record.

Presumably if he really has rented this flat through a real agency, he will lose his deposit by leaving behind unpaid bills; but if it's only a month's rent at £390 it's not going to go far.

caroline - I left in 1975, so a lot has changed since then. I will definitely add council tax to the "things to consider" list.

willit- has Dobby been in touch to take up your kind offer?

the crucial document is his/her rental agreement, I think.

i thought that Dobby had ample funds to support him/herself anyway.

annhig

I think it would be unfair to comment either way, and if Dobby has sent me anything, I would not be commenting on it - I'm sure you understand.

It would certainly be an issue if, after doing a moonlight flit, he was later prevented from entering the country on grounds of previous behaviour, although I presume that lack of Kraft cheese slices might prevent that anyway

I think it would be unfair to comment either way, and if Dobby has sent me anything, I would not be commenting on it - I'm sure you understand. >>

willit - no I don't understand, to be honest. it's hardly worthy of a D notice, is it? I didn't ask for full details, just whether s/he'd contacted you, because it was such a kind offer.

why the secrecy?

I'm not convinced the council tax for Dobby's flat really is £234/month or £2,808/year. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think it is less, and Dobby is being asked to pay a higher amount to make up for arrears on the tax he hasn't paid. When the electricity and water bills come in he will have another surprise. If the flat is heated with natural gas, that will be another bill to cope with.

You're probably right, Heimdell. I just wanted to point out that it is within the bounds of possibility for that to be the normal instalment.

It sounds like he'll have another surprise when the TV licence people come round, too!

That really does seem high. I've been looking at the bands, and the rates, and the house I grew up in, with three bedrooms, is around 1300 GBP a year. I thought maybe it was a quarterly bill, but it seems that the bill is broken into ten "monthly" installments.

Council tax on my four bedroom house in Suffolk is about £1,400 per year, or £140 per month in ten monthly instalments. If Dobby really does owe £234/mo council tax on top of the monthly rent, whatever that is, he is certainly paying a lot for a flat with an air mattress for a bed. When the other bills start coming in, Dobby will be reeling!

£2808 a year means that the premises occupied entirely by Dobbie were assessed as being worth £160-£320,000 in 1991 , which is roughly equal to £500,000-£1mn today.

In parts of Hampshire, that's not at all impossible for a flat - and it's irrelevant whether it's furnished with an airbed or wall to wall original Chippendale. It's unlikely anyone would actually let such a flat out for free, or close to that - but again not impossible.

The poster needs to go to his district council's website, go to Council Tax and check the rated value of his flat (just about every council in SE England puts council tax charges, by property, online)

He may have a horrid shock awaiting him. Or someone might be ripping him off, or carrying out a monstrous cockup. But whatever the explanation, he's legally responsible for paying the debt unless he can demonstrate he's got some reason for paying less

On the TV licence, btw: if you don't want to pay for one, it isn't enough not to have a TV. You have to be able to persuade them that you haven't any equipment capable of receiving a TV signal. But both this and the council tax liability are things to be discussed with the landlord and/or the agent who let the flat: never just assume it'll go away just because you don't think you need to pay.

Yes, I realise the the level of furnishing has no bearing on council tax valuation. I wrote "air mattress for a bed" simply to point out that Dobby would have been much more comfortable in lodgings or a B&B, and not had to worry about all those bills. In that case Dobby would have had to make an effort to get along with the landlord, though, which may have proved impossible.

But flanner, as I said, with a new flat it seems the council can say what they like - viz our 2 bedroom flat is Leith having been assessed as worth £80k+ in 1991 - if it had existed, which it didn't. IMO this was not possible; but we were stuck with band F & £226pm despite the Nats' council tax freeze. But I think other posters are probably right & this is making up for the 3 months he has alfready missed paying, so it's been doubled.

well, an appearance in the local magistrates' court for wilful non-payment of council tax should expand Dobby's education, if nothing else.

Being really unkind, if not downright wicked, I would love to a fly on the wall if that happens.

hemidall - I already paid 6 months in advance.

You paid what 6 months in advance? Rent? Evidently that doesn't include council tax, or you wouldn't be asking about the £234. We are trying to help (most of us, anyway).

>>We are trying to help<< twice even

6 months rent maybe, but not Council Tax. You need to reread your contract and get in touch with the agents you used to establish if council tax was included in the rent. Since you, as the tenant are liable for it it seems unlikely it was, and what you have now received is a bill for the three months you haven't yet paid, plus what you should pay per month.
If you don't pay it you can be taken to court. If you have left the country by then you will not be able to return.

You also need to check on the TV licence, and things like gas, electric and water bills. I doubt very much your rent is all inclusive.

Here is the link for tv licensing: http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/

If you don't pay it you can be taken to court. If you have left the country by then you will not be able to return.>>

first sentence true - if they catch up with him/her by the time he/she leaves, which is frankly unlikely.

2nd - not wanting to encourage, Dobby in non-payment but really I think that it's unlikely that the non-payment of council tax is going to stop Dobby coming back into the UK.

whether s/he will want to is a different matter of course.

TV licensing - now that's another matter!

Yes, I've asked for that second post to be removed. What about it? Are you talking about 6 months rent in advance? Unless the rental agreement includes council tax and utilities, you have other bills to pay.

Did you get an electricity meter reading when you moved into the flat? If not you could end up being billed for electricity that was used by someone else before you moved in. Lots of things to learn when you become an adult.

hemidall - My landlords set me up with scottish power, so each month I pay a set price of 30 quid. They send me a water bill every 5-6 months, so I get the first bill next month. I'm scared

mjdh- I did not know about holiday rentals omg

socaltraveler- I did read the fine print, I was expecting to pay 80 pounds after the discount, not freaking 234.19!!!

caroline - I don't have a tv...I don't watch tv

I can't believe everyone is attacking me. all I wanted was some emotional support. Not people pointing the finger and judging me. I won't get a criminal record.

I can't believe everyone is attacking me. all I wanted was some emotional support. Not people pointing the finger and judging me. I won't get a criminal record.>>

dobby, no-one is attacking you. we are trying to help, honestly. WE don't want you to get a criminal record, but actually, non-payment of council tax IS a criminal offence. Emotional support by itself won't get this sorted out for you, you need practical help.

you mention expecting to pay £80 [per month, presumably] after you'd read the small print on your rental agreement. what was that figure based on? what's written there? something someone told you? does it include the 25% single occupant discount?

The bill should tell you clearly to which period it applies and how much it is per month. can you tell us that?

>>I did read the fine print, I was expecting to pay 80 pounds after the discount, not freaking 234.19!!!<<

Well, if you are three months behind, then £234.19 is about right.

I've only been here 2 months, and this is the first letter they ever sent me. The bill is suppose to be 934 from June 2012-March 2013. I ain't paying this I wasn't even here for that long, it's not right! I read online that most people in 1 bedrooms who live alone get a discount and their bill is around 80 quid per month. That's why I thought that's all I had to pay.

Is there a reason you folks keep feeding this thread? LOL!

Dobby now I am trying to be helpful, I would suggest you find the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau to where ever you are living, make an appointment and take all your paperwork including your rental agreement with you and ask for their help. They have financial experts there,and the advice is free. Then do what ever they suggest you do, they will even help you to write to various authorities and organisations to explain your situation. The one thing you should not do is ignore any of the correspondence from these utility companies.

Meanwhile, how's the trip? What have you been doing, seeing,eating, drinking? Enjoying the abroad experience? I think many of us honestly do want to know.

"I was expecting to pay 80 pounds after the discount, not freaking 234.19!!!"

As most people have suggested, it is highly likely that the £234.19 is double the normal amount because you haven't paid the last 3 months, so the total for the 6 months is now split into 3 instalmets instead of 6. If you'd started paying straightaway it would have been about £117.10 per month - minus 25% single person discount = £87.83 - which is quite close to the £80 you were expecting.

So you did know about it all along?

It wasn't I who mentioned the TV licence, but - do you watch TV on any type of device, like a laptop? If so you need a licence, if not you don't.

poor dobby - I think that s/he has grabbed the duvet and opted for hibernation.

Judging from the weather forecasts, a warm duvet will be a good thing to have by next weekend. The clocks go back next weekend as well, so that adds to the seasonal gloom.

I'm going to run an opinion poll with the following questions:

1 Is Dobby a contrary Fodorite adopting an alias for this thread?

2 Is he just an idiotic teenager?

3 Is this C_W reincarnated on a wind up?

2 or 1.

I favour 2 as i don't think that even the most devious fodorite could have thought up this business with the council tax, and the coming and going is typical teenage behaviour.

sadly not 3.

Definitely 2, especially after I matched his Fodor's profile photo with pictures of an unknown guest at a celebrity wedding in Hello!

Hilarious ongoing comments..Hopefully this site will encourage wanna be Dobby types to do their homework, listen to well meaning advise, and temper their messages in less juvenile reaponses.

No. 1 - based in the uk and having a laugh.

Aren't we all...having a good laugh that is!!!

amer_can- Um excuse you but no one ever said anything about paying tax etc etc. They were all bullying me and saying things like my apartment was a scam and that I was spoiled etc etc.

caroline - That photo was taken months before the wedding in the back seat of a car HAHA

Perhaps your reluctance to communicate reasonably and your propensity, when responding,to do so in pouty,junvenile retorts made some Fordorites question the sincerity of your situation. I am sorry that your taxes situation comes as a surprise but you were warned to carefully research your plans leaving nothing to chance. This is a wonderful learning chance for you and so make the most of it. Follow some of the suggestion re:contacting tax people and maybe you'll find one sympathtic. BTW cute and/or sarcastic remarks are uncalled for from a mature correspondant. Kraft slices? (so what?) HAHA,s BLAH BLAH BLAAAAAHHHH! Go away if you are not going to be helpful. I'm not going to pay.(Do I hear feet stomping?), What's wrong with this country? " I only went back as far as January so I very well can't continue. As I said take this lesson and learn from it.

Dobby, it wasn't OUR responsibility to tell you about taxes. That was YOUR job. And nobody bullied you - you just played victim when people pointed out you actually might need to take responsibility for things. Apparently, you've got an aversion to that. You should get over that. You're not 12 anymore, though you come across as about that age. Grow up, stop whining, pay your taxes, and see what you might be able to learn from your experience overseas. Not much so far, apparently, but you've got a few months to work it out.

DobbyTheTurtle "amer_can- Um excuse you but no one ever said anything about paying tax etc etc."

I beg to differ: " willit on Jul 7, 12 at 9:56am

.... On top of that you need to account for (And I am estimating) council tax (£80) Electricity /Gas including heating (£60 if you are careful with the heating) water (£30 if not metered)."

willit - I was fairly certain that someone had told him/her about council tax.

in fact you seem to be the guilty party who told Dobby it would be £80.

Sadly s/he didn't read the "And i am estimating" bit.

But it is still beyond my comprehension why anyone from a foreign country would in any way want to get involved in all the bother of renting a 'normal' apartment which is aimed at long-term residents of the UK.

Short-term rentals obviously make much more sense than tangling with local bureaucracy which even residents of the UK can have problems with.

I've spent three months in Italy and got a good deal on a holiday apartment for that time. There's no way I would want to get involved in Italian local bureaucracy...

Guys, this is a great thread, the guy is trying something different and has the energy and listening skills of the young. I'm keen to see how he gets through this and would love to know what else has happened. I think we should keep it positive so he tells us rather than finger wagging so he hides his problems.
Enjoy

Guys, this is a great thread, the guy is trying something different and has the energy and listening skills of the young. >>

mm - the listening skills bit is clearly correct.

it would be nice if Dobby occasionally came back here to tell us something good that's happened to him/her, instead of just to grumble about problems that the kind people here had already warned him/her about.

annhig - I got the 80 quid estimate from others who own flats in different parts of england who have a 1 bedroom. I didn't go by what any of you snobs said...

So why do you keep coming back here to ask advice from all us snobs, instead of all your friends in various parts of England?

snobs - hardly modern english vernacular, Dobby.

miss off the S and you might sound a bit more like what you say you are.

Changed my mind, no longer care to hear anything this immature kid has been doing abroad; all he has bothered to share anyways are rude remarks about Asians with British accents and the lack of Kraft singles in his village. Obviously a deep and enriching experience. And this latest ( note how he only comes here to whine and complain?) problem is of his own doing, failure to read fine print or advice here early on. Those of you who understand the situation have tried to give him good advice, and now you're "snobs". He just wants the local government to give him a get out of jail free card, poor boy shouldn't have to pay silly taxes. Call Mummy and ask for the money, then go home and figure out how to grow up.

"caroline - That photo was taken months before the wedding in the back seat of a car HAHA" - and why would that preclude it clearly showing the same person as pictured in the wedding photos in Hello?

soical - I never said I shouldn't pay any taxes, I don't mind paying around 80 quid. 234.19 is too goddamn much for a 1 bedroom single person paying! And i never said anything racist about asians with english accents. You're putting words in my mouth! If you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all!!

caroline - I don't know. But the picture was taken way before the wedding and posted on a friend's facebook

Funny Dobby, I never used the word racist, my word was rude, as was your comment.

And I stand by my comment that you have so far only come here to whine and complain, so if that is all you care to share about your adventures abroad, why bother to say anything at all. Works both ways my friend.

It hardly matters how much you think is too much tax. You owe it, you have to pay it. Adult life is cruel, isn't it?

Dobby look back to Oct.15th 1:29 then repeat that you never said enything about not paying!!! Grow up for pete's sake!!!

Dobby, the fact that other people!! say they only pay £80 per month means diddly squat, (nothing) it is what the local council say the flat, room, whatever is worth that counts. As has been said repeatedly you have no choice in the matter. I suggested to you that the best people to advise you would be your local Citizens Advice Bureau, and since you seem to want something for almost nothing their advice is FREE.

Dobby, that £234.19 tax is for more than one month, that much you have made clear.

You really need to go back and read some of your previous posts, because you have contradicted yourself many times.

you may not mind getting robbed by your own country (like a sheep) , but i will not be a victim. i'm going to fight this.

but right now i'm going to bed. BYYYE!

<<i'm going to fight this.>>

Good luck with that, pal.

Can you rob a sheep? Or just pull the wool over the eyes!!! As StCirq says ..good luck Dobby...Maybe you should play turtle..pull in your head and feet and let the world unfold as it will..Like it or not!!!

Why not just do as was suggested ages ago and ask the Citizens Advice people whether you have a case worth fighting? That would free more time to arrange your own street lighting, refuse collection, policing, road repairs, etc, etc, since you obviously don't think you should be obliged to contribute to the collective effort.

This thread is called "My Travel Update" - it would be interesting to know what Dobbie has been doing, rather than just complaining about life in England's green and pleasant land (cheese slices notwithstanding).

Cue the opening bars of Jerusalem ....

"you may not mind getting robbed by your own country..."

Actually I'm an American living in England and, like any good guest, respect local customs and meet all my obligations.

Have a look at this website
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-rights-and-responsibilities
For example it says that you should have a tenancy agreement clearly stating which bills you are responsible for.
Right, now go to this website http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
and find out where your nearest bureau is. Take any paperwork with you. If you are sensible and polite, you will find them very helpful.

Excellent advice, MissP. however I fear that Dobby prefers to grumble about his/her fate rather than take practical steps to address his/her problems.

and yes, Dobby, what HAVE you been doing to enjoy your all too limited time in this green and pleasant land?

Well I contacted the Council and they updated my bill! At first they charged me for June (even though I wasn't here until August), so the bill should be a lot lower . Plus I told them I live alone. I should get the new bill in a few days *Crosses fingers* >.<

Also I plan on hitchhiking to London. Don't know when though

I'm glad you have that sorted out.
Good luck with the Hitch Hiking - I have always found the UK to be quite difficult, particularly longer distances as you obviously cannot hitch hike on any of the dual carriageways or motorways unless you start off before a junction or at a service area.

Still thinking after posting abouth hitch hiking, do you have anywhere near where you could catch the megabus (they also do train deals) as these can work out very cheap.

Dobby, good for you re the council tax bill!

When I first arrived in England many years ago hitchhiking was quite common, but not so much these days. You might check around the village to see if anyone who works in or near London would be willing to give you a lift, but be prepared to leave early in the morning. If you can get to an outlying tube station (e.g. Epping if you are in Essex) then it would be easy to go the rest of the way to central London from there. Check out the bus services, which are cheaper than trains: http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx. Also look into getting a young person's coach card if you don't have one already: http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/offers/studentcoachdeals.aspx

Hitchhike? Do people still do that? It was getting a bit unsafe even back when I lived in the UK.

Do you mean you haven't been to London yet???

of course, we don't know how close you are to London, but leaving aside the issue of safety, the bus might well be a better bet than hitch-hiking.

regarding safety, if you were my child, male or female, I would not be happy to think of you doing this, and would think the cost of the bus or train fare [very small in the grand scheme of things, bearing in mind that you told us that you have ample funds for your trip] well spent.

and think how much you've saved by sorting out you council tax bill!

At last an indication of entering level maturity..Good for you, Dobby, taking suggestions to heart and acting on them.

I don't think I've seen anyone hitching for years. Should be an interesting report Dobby.

I picked up a hitchhiker in the west of Ireland (the Burren) in 2006 - he was an old man, about 70. There were three of us women, and the one in the back seat a trained policewoman. We felt safe enough He was walking Ireland, searching for long lost cousins he had left in the area 50 years ago. He was quite nice!

Have you got a Kindle?
If so, "Captains Courageous" by Rudyard Kipling is free to download

Was it because he was hitchhiking it had taken him 50 years?

The bill went from £933 to £556

So it wouldn't have been that different from the £80pm you were expecting, would it, if you'd started paying in 6 instalments straightaway?

The bill went from £933 to £556

Is the £556 before or after the 25% reduction for being a single occupant?

Dobby where have you gone.. i miss you and your comments..Are you home now???

amer_can - I was wondering the same thing.

i think that dobby only comes here when s/he wants to grumble that some of the advice s/he got turned out to be correct.

Our lives are so exciting and demanding that a dobby makes our day, right???

Dobby is interesting because Dobby jars us out of the everyday groove we tend to sink into.

Some feel outrage that he didn't do the usual planning before landing in a foreign country, others are just bemused.

Some feel outrage that he didn't do the usual planning before landing in a foreign country, others are just bemused.>>

which are you, ET?

Yes but where is he/she now??? and what successes/problems are being dealt with??

Maybe the hitch-hiking didn't turn out so well.

Forgat about that..Not a good idea in this day and age..

Outraged or bemused...how about a third category: amused! that's where I fit in.

Arrested for non-payment of council tax?

not sure about the smiley face there, Caroline!

I'm probably more of the bemused, amused category.

Actually my first bill isn't due for another few weeks... and I spoke to council and they said they sent an application to see if I wouldn't have to pay anyway But I still have to pay on due date. If I'm accepted they return my money HAHA!

You are learning and good on you!!! I hopoe the HAHA doesn't mean you will miss the payment date!!!

that's hope not hopoe!!!

What grounds do you think you have for an exemption? If you think you can apply for an exemption as a student you had better read this: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/full-time-students and this: http://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/money-and-funding/info-and-advice/council-tax/.

"You will normally have to prove to your local authority that you are a full-time student, and this is usually on the basis of a student certificate provided by your university or college."

I told them I have no income

I don't think that will wash. You have the money to come here and stay here so you will be expected to pay the Council Tax

If you have no income and are relying on support from the state that may be grounds for deportation.

Dobby, in another of your posts you wrote, And yes I make $1600 per month, and in pounds it will be a little over 1k so this will help me with my trip.

Have you lost that source of income, or are you now lying to the local authorities? Britain is cracking down on benefit cheats, so you may soon find yourself in hot water!

International students living alone are exempt from council tax.

Although, I know I'm wasting my 'breath', I'm pretty sure you only qualify for Council Tax exemption on income grounds if you have no/low income AND you qualify for income-based UK benefits, like Jobseekers' Allowance - which as a non EU national, you don't.

I'm not asking for free money, I just don't want to pay taxes for things I'm not using. You know I got a water bill coming next month! I'm sure it's high. That plus tax.. Oh dear I should be using that money to do what I wanna do! -.-

Emily71, Dobby is not an international student, in fact right now he is not a student at all.

Dobby, the water bill may not be as high as you think, and there are ways of estimating what it will be, based on how much you use if you are on a meter, or the rateable value of the apartment if you are not. Taxes don't work that way though — you pay what you are assessed whether you use the services or not. That applies to everyone, and you are no different.

If you have lied to the council about your income I suggest you try to retract your statement before they start investigating — they won't just take your word for it. Lots of people are taken to court for benefit fraud, and some go to jail.

Excuse you but when did I say I wasn't a student? I don't have a job so how do I have income? And I don't get benefits back at home. I told them my full story and when I was leaving, that's why the bill is a lot lower now. Also the woman said I still had to pay until a decision was made, which means I still have to be getting money somehow in order to pay the bill. You don't know anything, and from now on your rude comments will be ignored. byyyyee!

No - you are NOT a student. You were a student when you were back home - but unless you've lied to us - you are not a student in the UK.

Dobby, those weren't rude comments. In order to be considered a student in the UK (for council tax exemption) you will have to meet requirements in the references I gave you above, and clearly you are not a full time student in a UK college or university.

>> I don't have a job so how do I have income?<<

You told us you make "$1600 per month" in your "Should I get a Visa?" thread, and now you say you have no income. You need to get your story straight before you are questioned by the people who evaluate your exemption claim. They are not stupid, and will find you out if you aren't telling the truth.

Dobby just to add to your woes, the council officials also read the internet and can pout two and two together.

You had to prove income to come in and now you want to say you have none because you don't like the realities of living where you live?

I just got my water bill. Holy crap it's a lot lower than I thought! I did a calculator thing and it said I would have to pay 300 but I got the bill and it's less than a 3rd of that! YAY! So when I pay for tax and my light and my water bill, and my internet, I would pay around 400 for Decemeber for bills alone. What a waste of money. I could take a train to London and party with that -___- Why can't everything be free to me. I deserve it

tipsy - So what, I'm not lying >.>

jubilada - I thought income meant having a job... And even if they reject me I still paid the bill

>>I deserve it<<

Whoever gave you that idea?

In my 6:51pm post I wrote: "Dobby, the water bill may not be as high as you think..."

Maybe you'll start listing now? Or is that wishful thinking?

Please some one put this turtle out of its misery and give it a ticket home now.

It would be nice to hear what they've actually done during their stay in the UK rather than just hearing about how hard done by/deserving they are.

I just got my water bill. Holy crap it's a lot lower than I thought! I did a calculator thing and it said I would have to pay 300 but I got the bill and it's less than a 3rd of that! YAY! So when I pay for tax and my light and my water bill, and my internet, I would pay around 400 for Decemeber for bills alone. What a waste of money. I could take a train to London and party with that -___- Why can't everything be free to me. I deserve it >>

Dobby, do you actually read what you write or are you trying to emulate Joyce? in one breath you are celebrating receiving a lower than expected water bill and in the next saying you shouldn't have to pay anything at all. do you think that if you were renting a flat in the US you'd have to pay nothing for services?

have you actually made it to london yet?

Of course I meant "Maybe you'll start listening now."

Gotta watch that auto-correct!

I dunno - he does say he's tipsy - maybe listing was more apt.

Dr D.

You have a point, Dr D! lol!

annhig - In the US apartments most times you don't have to pay water bills or heating or stupid taxes. All you do is pay electric and the rent. The UK gov likes to rob people. You all are sheep and don't even realize. Also about the water bill, I don't mind paying it because I'm using water supply. With taxes what the hell do I get that I need or want? NOTHING. It's like flushing money down the toilet. That's why I'm mad

I'm hitching to London in 2 weeks

Dobby - I assume your rubbish (sorry, trash) must have just about filled one room of your appartment by now - or have you been putting it out for the dustbin-lorry?

I'm thinking you must be able to float six inches off the ground - or are you walking on the pavements, lit by street lights, and under the (nominal) protection of the police?

I'm guessing you must be checking out all the food/drinking establishments you frequent for food safety before buying your food, beer etc - or are they operating under the watchful eye of the food standards agency?

I can't be bothered to go on... let me cut to the chase: Do you understand the concept of taxes in a civil society?

Dr D.

When you pay rent in the US, taxes are generally paid by the landlord and passed on to the tenant as part of the rent. In the UK, it is just broken down differently. Wherever you rent, you are always paying taxes, but when they are taken into account in setting the rent, they are a hidden expense.

Dobby, one of the purposes of travel is to understand that people do things differently in different places.

In the US apartments most times you don't have to pay water bills or heating or stupid taxes. All you do is pay electric and the rent.

Do you really believe that? You think that water and heating are free, and there is no property tax on the building? Of course you pay those things in the US — the landlord includes it in your rent, which is higher as a result. Same would apply here — if the landlord paid those things for you he would up the rent, and it would come out of your pocket in the end.

DrDoNoGood - Why would it matter if I checked the health establishment of a fast food place when the workers could easily spit in people's food?? Why have street lights when you can buy a flashlight. As for trash, that ain't worth 92 per month -___- Maybe 10.

nikki- Exactly it's a hidden expense, ROBBERY. The apartment my friend in the US rents a place for 700 dollars per month. The place came with heating in each room, a mircowave and an ice maker connected to the fridge. I would say it's worth it. With these flats in this country they make you pay regular rent price PLUS all these BS hidden prices. They lure you in with good location and low price. ROBBERY >.>

jubilaa - It's dumb. It's so annoying, and then they got the audacity to NOT sell kraft cheese. Haven't had a good burger since I got here. And I went to this indian place a few times, and this guy laughed at me for ordering the samething each time I went there. And to think my tax dollars are giving him a job. Last time I went there he had all the other workers laughing and staring at me. The absolute NERVE -.-

>> With these flats in this country they make you pay regular rent price PLUS all these BS hidden prices.<<

If you're paying it separately, it's not hidden, is it? The fact that you weren't expecting it is down to your lack of research (even when it's offered to you on a plate, as here), not any sort of conspiracy to rob you. It may well be more expensive to live here than where you're used to. That's life, get used to it.

>> And I went to this indian place a few times, and this guy laughed at me for ordering the samething each time I went there. And to think my tax dollars are giving him a job. <<

So you think all restaurants, or just the Indian ones, are paid for out of taxes...?

You do realise you're saying all this stuff out loud?

Your tax dollars are giving him a job??? How exactly?
You really are as spoiled, ignorant and, yes, downright rude and nasty as other posters have stated.

And still no update on what you have been doing with your time in the UK. Have you been to London yet? or anywhere else other than this mythical village?
Travel is meant to broaden the mind - but only if that mind is open enough to be expanded. Yours is closed, mean and petty. If you hate it all so much - paying your tax dollars for whatever and being conned and robbed then GO HOME.

Despite Dobby's denials I think this thread really is a troll — no teenager I know is that naive. I'm happy to play along, though, for my own amusement.

hetismij2 - Are you heimdell's sock account?? What I do on my trip is none of your business. Besides the country robbing everyone, I've enjoyed my stay. If I think something isn't right I will vent on it. I'm not sheep like you. You'd probably drop your trousers for the TSA if you thought it meant ''preventing'' an attack. You sheep >___> If you don't like my venting then stop clicking on the thread.

patrick - The other guy mentioned fast food not me. Also I knew I had to pay it before even coming here. If you read my other thread I mention this. I just think it's unfair. I'm a good person and deserve good things.