Setting up a flat. Your thoughts/opinions/help!!!

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tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#74879 9-Jan-2011 14:06

I am a 17 year old student planning on renting and moving into a flat on the outskirts of the Christchurch CBD in the next month and want your opinion on these things:

Internet Provider - Naked DSL OR Phone and Internet?

Electricity Provider

Hints and Tips

Any other info

I would prefer an ADSL plan with 5-10GB p/m and data packs available. Other flatmate is not a huge internet user. Electricity - What is the best value? Is powershop any good?

What else do I need to know??

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#425434 9-Jan-2011 14:34

See if PowerShop is available in your area. You can put in meter readings so you'll always know where you stand (no bill shock). But yes, they're awesome. Very glad we switched.

Pak n Save has the cheapest food.

Naked DSL's the way to go. Who needs a landline these days anyway? Crazy people, that's who.

Don't flat with your friends!

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek

#425438 9-Jan-2011 14:42

To be honest, I personally can't see the benefit of Naked DSL. It costs roughly the same for a Naked DSL package with, say, 10GB of data, compared to a 10GB Broadband + Phone package. I just don't understand what the appeal is when it costs the same, but WITHOUT a phone line.

Anyway, I would recommend Snap
They are based in Chch, and I have heard good things about them.
Check out their plans
http://www.snap.net.nz/home/broadband/

You might also want to check and see if you might be in the TelstraClear cable zone:
http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/residential/inhome/

Powershop:
Powershop is possibly the best thing since sliced bread.
It is almost always cheaper than the other providers.
Everything is included in the unit price. No "wiring and maintenance" charges etc...
You can buy cheap power in advance.
Input your meter readings in real time. That way you can determine your future usage and buy enough power units at a very cheap rate.

Noodles and Baked Beans

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425442 9-Jan-2011 14:50

Cheers guys.

muppet:
Don't flat with your friends!

I kinda am..... I have known her for 6 years..... What makes you say that??

muppet

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#425443 9-Jan-2011 14:53

tomgeeknz: Cheers guys.
muppet:
Don't flat with your friends!

I kinda am..... I have known her for 6 years..... What makes you say that??

I've seen it happen a couple of times, people that are friends end up really getting on each others nerves. One person does things one way, the other a different way. One person is tidy, one person isn't etc.
When you don't know each other, you can kinda get used to these things, if they piss you off well then there's no great problem because you're not friends anyway.

But if you ARE friends you can find these sorts of things you don't even think about (or usually see), can put some strain on the relationship.

That's not always true, of course. But I've seen it happen twice where people who were great mates really aren't much of friends anymore after having flatted with each other.

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425444 9-Jan-2011 14:56

I am pretty flexible and as long as I have my own space I can work with anything - My dad is a HOARDER so I don't mind mess, and I can be tidy if given the space. The person I am probably flatting with is a chef.

Shoes2468

785 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425448 9-Jan-2011 15:28

I would have said if telstraclear cable is available in your new place, that would most likely be the cheapest option for phone-less internet. 20gb cable broadband can be had for around $55 month with no phone,as for power either powershop if you want to go down that road, if you want a regular power company i believe at the moment Genesis energy would be the cheapest "regular" power company in ch ch.

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425449 9-Jan-2011 15:30

Yeah, the cable area map ends on the road outside the flat I am looking at.... Hoping I can get it!!

Equinox IT

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xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#425453 9-Jan-2011 15:52

muppet:
Don't flat with your friends!

My 2nd time flatting was with friends, worked out well....but have had other friends flat with one another and they no longer talk to one another (after one leaving the flat obviously) and still bitch about one another after god knows how many years.

Some people can do it, some cant.....

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

muppet

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#425455 9-Jan-2011 16:01

xpd:
muppet:
Don't flat with your friends!

My 2nd time flatting was with friends, worked out well....but have had other friends flat with one another and they no longer talk to one another (after one leaving the flat obviously) and still bitch about one another after god knows how many years.

Some people can do it, some cant.....

Indeed. If you're all easy going, it'll be fine. I just think if they're a good friend, don't risk it!

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

mattRSK

822 posts

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#425459 9-Jan-2011 16:12

Hey

I would recommend going with Snap, they have excellent customer service and the internet is reliable.

Personally I would go with Genesis energy and pay by direct debit so you always pay on time and get a 10% discount. Ask to be put on the classic plan.

Have you thought about setting up a flat account with the bank. We have always had one of these. All the flatmates setup and automatic payment of a set amount that gets paid in weekly. Then you can set all your bills to be taken by direct debit from that account. Takes a lot of stress out of the money side of things.

A major would be contents insurance, it doesn't cost much but is seriously important if you manage to burn the house down. Also don't flat in Riccarton near the uni you are guaranteed to be robbed. Not sure if you are a student but insurance is way cheaper in places like Shirley.

Next thing to think about would be food. Eating together can reduce your cost of living. Quite easy to organize cooking nights with each other and stick to it. Go flat shopping and get things in bulk. Look out for specials etc.

Most importantly be easy going, don't hog the internet or use all the hot water, do your part and you will love flatting.

mattRSK

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#425461 9-Jan-2011 16:14

Comparison of Genesis plans, http://genesisenergy.co.nz/genesis/index.cfm?3B5AAB37-C09F-4299-6D65-F873B2318884

Broadband details for Snap, http://www.snap.net.nz/home/broadband/

Guide to flatting, http://www.dbh.govt.nz/flatting-101

My other advice is get everyone's names on the lease and bills etc. Otherwise you get lumped with all the responsibility.

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425466 9-Jan-2011 16:18

Being a chef, my probable flat mate will either be home late or eat at work so I see meals being individual which is not a problem. Flat account is definitely a good and probable thing. Contents insurance is on my list already and living in the north east of the CBD away from Riccarton/Ilam should be good.

muppet

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#425467 9-Jan-2011 16:19

mattRSK: My other advice is get everyone's names on the lease and bills etc. Otherwise you get lumped with all the responsibility.

Very, very good point!

Audiophiles are such twits! They buy such pointless stuff: Gold plated cables, $2000 power cords. Idiots.

OOOHHHH HYPERFIBRE!

mattRSK

822 posts

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#425468 9-Jan-2011 16:19

If you need a load of gear to setup your house as well check out Supershed at 220 Pages Road, there is heaps of furniture and houseware there for dirt cheap. Wednesday is the best time to go there as that is when they renew there stock.

Also there is the free shop run by the council at 526 Blenheim Road, leave your wallet at home.

Check trademe for furniture etc, never rent stuff your throwing money away. Most of the big furniture in our house is from trademe. Like our $20 fold out couch in mint condition and $50 solid pine dining table with 6 chairs.

tomgeeknz

923 posts

Ultimate Geek

#425469 9-Jan-2011 16:20

muppet:
mattRSK: My other advice is get everyone's names on the lease and bills etc. Otherwise you get lumped with all the responsibility.

Very, very good point!

Definitely with you on this one.

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