₦airaland Forum

EJIOGBENIMI:
I need some clarifications pls.
I’m using “pay as you go” card for gas, for the heating system and the kitchen in my apartment. I recharge about £250 monthly.
We are trying to cut costs, so we just bought 2 portable heaters, to heat up the rooms only, to supplement the gas. Our electricity bill is estimated bill, fixed at £105 per month.
We tend to use the portable heaters a lot.
I’m just wondering if we will be charged higher on our electricity. I’m getting conflicting responses from guys here. Some said that I’ll pay the excess at the end of the year while some said that I won’t.
2) I’ve been trying to buy car. I live in a suburb in the far northwest England, so I couldn’t explore much on fb marketplace and private sellers nearby.
Is it safe to buy on auto trader? How reliable are diesel cars? They seem to be cheaper.

1. Yes, your electricity bill will be reviewed periodically (like every 6 months) and if they notice increase in usage, your estimated bill will go up and vice versa.

2. Auto trader is safe but like every other online or physical purchase in UK or Nigeria, you have to be very cautious!

gergemam:
Lexusgs430

Abeg Tier 4 fit buy house..

Deposit dey... If the house nah £150,000.00 - £200,000.00

https://www.nairaland.com/7534564/living-uk-propertymortgage-related

Best place to ask..

While a Tier 4 can in theory buy a house, I don't think it's practical. Firstly, you'd hardly find a lender and if you do, amongst many other demands, they will require 25% or even much higher deposit. Tier 4 is a temporary visa, I'd advise changing status first. There are so mylany other issues too. If you get a £150k house, it would be in a location that uou may not intend to stay for long after your visa expiration or you end up with an apartment with a short lease!

slimanyd:
Good morning boss. Can a new immigrants attempt to buy a house without any authority rasing high brow and when do you suggest such worker to do it after entering and what does such worker needs.

Check out the UK Mortgage thread on Nairaland: https://www.nairaland.com/7534564/living-uk-propertymortgage-related

Lexusgs430:
Not as tough as you might think ........ If you regularly send money to Nigeria, calculate that figure......

Draw out a savings plan and stick to it......

Join osusu.........

Get another paying gig ....... Work extra as much as you can (for a set duration)..... Might mean less quality time together, but the end justifies the means .......

NO PAIN ..... NO GAIN ....

Depends on location. For those working in London, and want to live in a place within 1 hour drive from London in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Reading or any neighbouring City, one may be looking at houses of about £300k so raising about £35k might not be as easy as those in Cities with houses of less than £200k and need just £20k or even less.

Santa2:
I have been looking into the First home scheme. Its supposedly a scheme started in June 2021 strictly for first time buyers where the buyer gets 30% - 50% discount on the cost of the property. But it not as much known as because of the HTB scheme was more appealing. There exists a caveat though, you can only sell to a first time buyer and would have to apply same discount as you were given. Looking at the possibility of getting an broker to get more clarity and possible options.

Yeah, there's also a maximum household income cap. So if your combined income is high, you don't get it. One has to confirm that it's not public funds too especially since the Council are kinda controlling and allocating the scheme

gergemam:
I connect it with my TV.

I did Winter Sale With Virgin Media on a contract of £54/Month to watch all the sports package (BT Sport & SkySport) and all the TV station here.

The package include 1.1Gbps of Internet + one year Netflix

Actually a decent deal. Since it includes Internet and Netflix

AgentXxx:
Elders, Abeg which areas close to London can one get 2beds between the range of 800 to 1,000? Asking for friend.

Lool, question of the Decade. I doubt if you'd easily find anywhere within 2 hours drive unfortunately

kwakudtraveller:
Who can recommend a sweet Android Smart TV for me that's reliable and affordable?

TCL on ao dot com

kwakudtraveller:
Who can recommend a sweet Android Smart TV for me that's reliable and affordable?

TCL on ao . com

NnenaRita:
Please how did you do it? Which delivery service did you use

I will get that info. All I did was to go pick it up at Peckham. The phone number I had to call for pick up was 07915243229. Their office address here is Covenant Air and Sea Cargo Ltd, 9 Peckham Park Rd, London SE15 6TR.

Overall, the service was fair. Goods arrived intact and on time, so I can't really complain.

slimanyd:
And if u want to buy same 10 litres in UK. It cost way below or above?

No idea, to be honest. Wifey and her Mum love their "special palm oil" from the village so it wasn't really about just cost. They wanted that home oil, Lool

NnenaRita:
Hi,

Please is there a delivery company that can bring in palm oil and other foodstuffs from Nigeria to the UK

Yes, I just got 10 liters of palm oil from Naija. I think it cost about N28k or so

Acedaybest:
Good morning wonderful people,
Please I need enlightenment; my family recently relocated here ( London) from Nigeria.
Kindly enlighten me on what type of account I should open for my salary and which bank is the best ( I mean for morgage later on).
Thank you for your good advice in advance.

Any is fine

CheesyTee:
Cost about £5k to sponsor 1 person for 5yrs. No be even license

That's outside Visa and IHS Fees for applicant and dependents... Even at that, the money isn't typically their problem as much as the uncertainties around the process. Some sponsorship processes take 2 weeks; others can take as much as 6 months where the Applicant is trying to get transcript and Letter of English proficiency from Universities, etc
Understandably, they may prefer someone who doesn't require sponsorship.

Iolo:
Affordability isn’t the only issue. Why should a company pay at all when you can hire someone else that doesn’t require sponsorship? Also, some firms have to hire a law firm to deal with this which is additional paper work. That’s why it’s difficult to get sponsorship for non-technical roles as supply is abundant.

The young man doesn't understand

kode12:
You’re going to need sponsorship at some point so why not just answer straightforward. Any company that’ll employ you wouldn’t bother too much with sponsorship requirement, it’s less than a 30mins task for the admin staff. If they filter you out because of sponsorship they’re probably not worth it in the first place.

Unfortunately, I disagree with you. If one is sure Sponsorship would be a challenge in landing a good job, and you still have some time on your visa, please try and get the job. You can continue searching for a Sponsored role. If the job is really good, having it on your CV will be a good boost to getting your sponsored role. This was the path I towed.

I had got a great offer, fantastic pay, wonderful experience I was to gain. They wanted to pull out when they realized my visa was gonna expire in 1 year. I convinced them not to, that I won't need the Sponsorship cos I was eligible for a 2-year PSW. Long story short: I worked with them for 2 months, and my experience there landed me a choice Sponsored role.

Contrary to what you're saying, Sponsorship is NOT a "30 minute task", many Companies don't have the license while those who do may not afford the time and resources that go into the process. Recruitment is an expensive process so is Sponsorship and many Companies try to avoid it where possible. Many firms use big consultants like Deloitte to do the process and some candidates end up not having the requirements like English proficiency proof or they have legal complications in their current visa that makes Sponsorship herculean.

Viruses:
I'm getting a car finance and the car dealer is quoting 11.9% interest rate. My bank is even worse with a 19.9%. Anyone know's where I can get a cheaper deal for car finance?

11.9% is not so bad though depending on your Credit rating

Moneybox were able to get 2 Lenders willing to lend to Tier 2 folks. One was normal 25% deposit and was willing to lend with only 6 months UK Address History. The second was willing to accept 10% deposit but minimum 2 year UK Address history; They were also gonna lend as much as 4 times my family income.

hyzich:
Thanks for your advice.
Well, there's pension and even bonus in the offer for the FTC role

That's cool then, changes a lot. I would still go for a permanent role with less pay.

Lexusgs430:
Odedenshi1 - The first mistake you made was panicking.............

The second mistake you made, was signing that document........ Further implicating yourselves.........


Resolution........ Send a letter to that safeguarding team, and resetting the clock ...........

This is very key. If you're innocent, be firm about your innocence and consistent in all your conversations. Don't sign anything without a legal review

hyzich:
Hi Elders,

Trust everyone is coping well with the weather.

Please I need advice on the 2 offers I just got because they are my first job Experience in UK. Both roles align to my background as a finance person & none offered sponsorship but I'm not really bothered as I hold a skilled worker dependent visa.

1st offer.
A 12 months FTC with a leading retail chain in UK and pay is almost 13k above the second offer. The coy is good on CV to port.

2nd offer.

A permanent role with an audit firm in Dorchester not among the top 80 firms when I checked. However, eperience is worth it as I would be exposed UK gaaps(frs 101,102 etc).

Cc: santander semmyk lexusgs430
Thanks

There are so many things to consider but without more information, I would gravitate towards the 2nd because I'm not a big fan of contract roles in these early stages as the terms are fixed and they can easily be terminated, you're seen as a mercenary with little benefits nor career progression and are often easily replaced should circumstances change. On the other hand, they pay more BUT no benefits, pension contributions, room for increment, promotion, etc.

I once got a permanent role, resumed and within few months, the Management approved a salary raise of 5% across board after a year of deliberation (long before I joined) and it was backdated for 3 months. I benefitted from that ONLY because I was permanent.

semmyk:
Placeholder 5
_______________
[Mortgage Brokers]
{Vouch Level: 0 - 10] Depends on the number of mentions, references, feedback,s testimonies ...} PS: Vouch level is not an endorsement!
1. Moneybox - @Tshoboy | unverified | Vouch level: 1 | app | www.moneyboxapp.com/
2. Mojo - @SemmyK | unverified | Vouch level: 0 | online | https://mojomortgages.com/
3. London & Country - @Ticha| unverified| Vouch level: 2 | online | www.landc.co.uk/
4. Haysto - shaybebaby| unverified | Vouch level: 1 | online , hybrid | https://haysto.com/
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

I have an appointment with moneybox on Friday to discuss their services.

UPDATE: They were able to get 2 Lenders willing to lend to Tier 2 folks. One was normal 25% deposit and was willing to lend with only 6 months UK Address History. The second was willing to accept 10% deposit but minimum 2 year UK Address history; They were also gonna lend as much as 4 times my family income.

peterbam:
Life of an immigrant in the UK.
Please how do you guys get accommodation?
I came in as a dependent on student visa. We are in Bristol and have lived in hotels and air bnb which has drained our finance. Been difficult getting accommodation for 4 (2 children)
It's either they are asking for me to already have a job, or rejecting families, children etc, moreso, the demand for house here is high. So they quickly get or choose other tenants.
I have called, met and seen several agents. Also, several rent sites.
Please can anyone help or give direction/ advice.

Widen your search to Newport, Swindon and even Bath. Bristol is one of the most difficult to get accommodation for a new immigrant family.

I don't encourage water wastage but we gotta know the facts. Know what is fair usage for your particular circumstances.

For instance, one of my White friends was telling me how they don't flush for urine to save water, but nah, that's not for me. I have a toddler and go to the gym often so laundry has to be significantly higher cos I can only wear my gym outfits once and the toddler has to change clothes often.

Of course, there are places I cut down, like when I shower, brush or do the dishes. But Madam loves a good long hot shower during this winter and loves to wash her food items thoroughly under running water and I won't stop her just because I want to save £5.

So find out where you can save but if you have hit fair usage, just chill jare. £15 per month is sweet but impossible for me. Virus must be on a special billing

eniola1010:
U get dolphins as pet? Abi why u dey use 300ltr everyday

You're a very funny fellow. 300 is below the National average.
Do you know how many liters go each time you flush the Toilets? About 5 liters each flush.
Do you know the shower runs at 12 to 15 litres per minute? If you leave on for 10 minutes, that's 150liters per person.
Do you know the washine machine uses about 50 liters each wash?

Need I go on about cooking or doing dishes? You need to use data before talking of dolphins

Back home in Naija, when you used a 2000 liters overhead tank, how long did it last? If 3 days, that's 700 liters daily.

Progressivegee:
Hi guys. I recently changed my prepaid gas and electric meter to post paid. EDF said I can choose to pay an estimate of £233 monthly for both gas and electric or they can use my meter readings to charge through direct debit. Abeg which is better?

They're really one and same. If you pay an estimate, you will still balance up someday. I always prefer any payment method that involves frequent meter readings so you pay as you use but you won't get constant charges, it will keep swinging with your usage

justwise:
[/b]

We use half of that a day, though i'm hardly at home on week days

Cool! My wife and I both work from home most days. With gym, there's always loads of laundry too, so there are factors but I will definitely push that 300 liters down jor.

justwise:
That is really impressive to be honest, i'm not sure i can go any lower

I had to go look at my account now. I use about 10 cubic meters monthly which is about 300 liters per day

justwise:
Size of property shouldn't be used because sometimes not all rooms in a property are occupied but we have seen where 3-4 people share one room, this is very common in Eastern European and Asian communities. If the size of your family increased the water company will know whether you tell them or not because your usage level will go up.

I agree with you. But they won't know cos these folks don't have meters. If they had meters, there will be no need for estimates unless I'm missing something.

That "3-4 in a room" family will still tell the water company that the entire 5 bedroom is occupied by 3 people. The Water Company will prefer using the 5-bed average usage in the area instead cos it provides a better estimate than relying on the integrity of the information by the occupants.

Viruses:
You are speaking from a place of ignorance.

Elon Musk will not go to a supermarket and buy a bottle of water for a hundred thousand pounds because he can afford it.

My water bill average around £150/annum and I'm still looking for a way to bring it down.

It's quite interesting though to see you're using £13. We learn everyday. Are you single though or is this for a family?

Justwise with a family of 4 using £24 monthly. Quite impressive, maybe some of us need to learn a thing or two from y'all.

justwise:
When i was living alone in one bedroom house my water bill was £16 a month with no meter but now family of 4, bigger property, the same water company, the same post code area and my bill is £24 a month with meter.

Though i think you are right regarding the usage factor, i just logged on to my online account to check our usage and i saw this: You are a super water saver. Let's keep working together

Now you're talking, you must be a real super saver cos I use £40 roughly on my account for a family of approx 4 and I really don't waste water just normal usage.

justwise:
Its down to usage, the size of property argument used by these water companies does not cut it.

I agree, but you have to know that the easiest way to estimate usage is by property size. Some companies use number of occupants but it's typically unreliable because people never notify them when the occupants increase. With size of property, they can give a median occupant number without relying on your honesty.