Additional Costs
Unfortunately there are many more expenses involved in renting a property than merely rent and service costs. A telephone line, a telephone, internet connection and television licence are among the more common additional costs.
The telephone line and telephone deal that you choose will depend on the usage requirements of the tenants: if you are living in a shared apartment, all the tenants will need to agree on a telephone provider. You may also wish to consider working out some ground rules with your housemates; this ensures that everyone is in agreement on how the telephone will be used fairly and how the bills will be divided. Telephone companies have high street branches and usually service hotlines and websites; it is easy to compare providers and find a good deal. Typically you will have to pay a connection fee if you wish to begin using the services of a telephone provider.
It is common for providers to offer new customers package deals with a new telephone, reduced calls and free connection: it pays to shop around for a good deal. The basic monthly charge for telephone line rental is typically between €15 and €20. Sometimes this charge will include free minutes, or free calls to landlines. It is also possible to choose a flat-rate phone deal which enables you to call landlines or mobile phones which operate on the telephone company's network for free. You may wish to find a deal which combines a phone line and internet connection. Consider paying bills by direct debit to avoid possible late payment charges.
Internet Connection
You may wish to have an internet connection in your home. If you will be not be staying long, you can use internet cafés or university computers to check your emails. For longer periods of time however, the internet is an invaluable resource. If you move into a shared apartment, they will usually already have an internet connection installed: you may be required to contribute to the monthly bill. If you wish to arrange your own internet connection, you will need to compare prices from a range of providers. Providers offer different deals to suit different people and it is worth doing your research to find a suitable and inexpensive deal. The price of the internet connection you choose will depend on factors such as:
- How much you download
- Flat-rate or pay-as-you-go
- The speed of the connection
- W-LAN (Wireless Internet)
