Start with the amounts you have been quoted
Put the bond in its own field, then the rent payment due before you move in. Do not assume one national bond or advance-rent limit: the rules depend on the jurisdiction and tenancy. Ask for an itemised explanation and compare it with the relevant authority’s guidance.
A holding payment may later be credited to another charge. When that applies, enter the remaining amount still due rather than adding both the original holding payment and the full later charge. This planner does not check the legality of an amount.
Include the parts of the move that are easy to miss
Request a removalist or van quote that explains time, distance, stairs, parking and any extra charges. Think through the path from your old front door to your new one: lift bookings, storage and an extra trip can change the practical plan. Enter any known costs under transport or other costs.
Add connection quotes and essential purchases separately. If you will pay for two homes at once, include only the old-home rent for that overlapping period. Leave out new-home rent already included in the first payment field.
- List furniture you already own before estimating replacements.
- Check who arranges utilities and when services can start.
- Keep uncertain costs visible in your contingency figure.
- Update estimates as written quotes become available.
Check when the money is needed
Make a short list of payee, amount and due date next to your printed budget. Compare the total with money you can actually use by those dates. A deposit tied up in an existing tenancy is not immediately available cash; do not rely on its return to fund a payment due sooner.
The result is the sum of your entries. Blank costs count as zero, so a low total can mean an incomplete budget. Any money left after these costs still needs to cover your normal living expenses.
General information for private residential rentals, based on the official sources linked here. Rules can change and different arrangements, including rooming accommodation and social housing, may have different requirements. Check the relevant authority for advice about your situation. Suggest a correction.