OS ways and Poor Health

Lynplatinum · 11 October 2016 at 11:21PM

Hiya All

As I may have said I am doggie sitting at my friends house this week.

Have had an upsetting time with my tenant who has threatened me with talking to the council!! I have spent thousands (£750 £5,000 ++++ smaller amounts) on trying to cure the damp and now, the only firm I can get to do the next thing that might be likely to cure it is not able to do it until January (they promised me November, then changed their mind once I've paid the deposit for £2,700 of work!) She is blaming me. I can gather together I diary of what I have done to cure the problem - since my mum didnt have the problem when she lived there I am guessing it may be what she is doing?? But am getting guttering sorted in case it is that!!!

Anyhooo I digress - sorry but am v upset by her attitude - and the little doggie I am looking after understands and snuggles up to me when she sends another upsetting txt. Also the little woof tells me when its walkies time so I get out in the lovely countryside and fresh air and get exercise and it helps me to get things back in perspective. I would just keep on going on about it wit a human so once again, doggies are better!!

Larumbelle - am therefore agreeing with you and hope you can feel able to get another furry companion soon.
Nite all

pollyanna_26 · 12 October 2016 at 11:15AM

Lyn I'm sorry to read about your tenant problems . Was any damp present when she viewed the property ? It sounds as if it could be something she's doing if it wasn't there when she took the tenancy . I would compile that list in case you need a record to show the council and I would also from this point tell her to contact you by letter only ( if she has been emailing or phoning ) as you both need a paper trail )
The threads are full of the effects of drying laundry indoors without opening windows and not airing bathrooms after use so it could be something as simple as that . If she does contact the council they will be aware that at this time of year landlords can struggle to get repairs carried out .
Try not to spoil the rest of your week worrying and be thankful for the empathy your little companion has in abundance .
As a last thought I seem to remember the house is in a different area to where you live now , is there anyone in that area who has knowledge of building and would assess the situation . Many retired trades are willing to take a look .
polly

LameWolf · 12 October 2016 at 12:45PM

pollyanna_26 wrote: »

LW Good luck with the cards . Do you draw them yourself or download the images ? I saw your picture on the daily , such lovely smiley dogs . You sound very like my daughter in some ways , her home is her safe place and she doesn't welcome invaders .

I usually use photos of my canine guests as a basis, and work from there; I have some software that does backgrounds and fancy writing; and I have a machine that plugs into the laptop that cuts fancy shapes, letters and numbers. I also re-use any removable bits from old cards, to jazz things up a bit.:money:
Unfortunately, the only thing I can actually draw is my breath, and sometimes I have a job with that! :rotfl:
I totally agree with your daughter - no human invaders in my home, thank you!

I've been through more counselling in one lifetime than anyone should have to endure in three; and unfortunately I've always found it counterproductive - I've spent years carefully burying the !!!!!! that happened to me, and don't need anyone, however well-intentioned, making me dig it up and rake it all over again!

Larumbelle · 12 October 2016 at 4:29PM

Polly Yum, yes I will be making some squash soup! I also use a thicker version of squash soup as a base for curries, it is yummy and much healthier than a cream sauce. I get to share in the allotment produce

there is so much that there's no point in splitting 50/50, we just each take what we like! We plant spares 'just in case', we swap/get given plants from other plot holders, and we plant extras just because we have space doing nothing and it seems a shame not to. So we end up with an abundance, there is more than enough for us both to have our fill, plus to share out to friends etc.

We like to experiment with new and 'different' crops. One big success has been oca (not okra!!!!) which I had never heard of before we grew it. It is so strange, you can eat it raw and it has the texture of carrot but tastes a bit like lemon. Or you can cook it in wedges and it has the texture of floury potato but tastes like you already put the salt and vinegar on! It's strange in a good way. We started off with just a few tubers last year off ebay (it is expensive to buy!) and got a huge crop. This year we are trying salsify and scorzonera for the first time. We also have an albino pumpkin growing! And can't remember if someone gave us the plant or if it is just a freak of nature LOL

I know what you mean about engaging, Polly and LW. It has taken me a good few years to engage if I am honest. Counselling - well, I have tried it before with no success, and while I have a much better personal relationship with my current one (who is specialised in a particular field) I have refused to dig into the past, like you LW I feel that going deeply into things will be counterproductive. So I mainly talk about the here and now, and while I will discuss the effect that The Past has on me now, I do not go into The Past itself. I do feel it is helpful, not hugely so in some respects, but it gives me a non-judgemental ear and that is enough. The support workers deal more with the practical stuff in the here and now.

Lyn if your mum never had a problem it sounds like it is something your tenant is doing. It's not likely to be a construction issue or rising damp because they don't suddenly appear overnight. Unless it is confined to one specific place it is not going to be penetrating damp from a damaged pipe or gutter or roof tile. So it is most likely condensation-based - which can be hugely affected by lifestyle! That doesn't necessarily mean that it is 'her fault' as such, but does mean she might be able to change habits to lessen it. Maybe giving your tenant some printouts on how to minimise it along with a cheap hygrometer and a dehumidifier might be a solution? The council will only be interested if there is a statutory danger to health, and even then, they will be reasonable and accept that you are already taking all reasonable steps - and they will expect her to do everything she can to minimise the problem as well. So please try not to let it get to you x

LW your cards sound lovely! What cutting machine do you have? I have a Silhouette that I love! I am lucky as I also have use of a laser cutter through a friend, though I haven't had much of a play yet.

I had been hoping to get back down the allotment today, but the weather here is not great. I tried to venture into town (which is literally only a few hundred yards away!) but only got as far as the subway. There was a beggar there. Having been homeless I have changed my attitude on beggars a bit. It really is true that most beggars aren't homeless and most homeless people aren't beggars. But I asked are you actually homeless? Because having been homeless, I know the system and can contact people who might be able to help. I called my support worker, spoke to her, then spoke to him again, and he started to change his story as what he was saying wasn't adding up. I gave him numbers for salvation army and the law centre, but I don't think he was actually homeless. I gave up on going into town after that and came home feeling upset and anxious. Now I just feel quite sad and down about it.

LameWolf · 13 October 2016 at 3:48PM

Larumbelle wrote: »

I know what you mean about engaging, Polly and LW. It has taken me a good few years to engage if I am honest. Counselling - well, I have tried it before with no success, and while I have a much better personal relationship with my current one (who is specialised in a particular field) I have refused to dig into the past, like you LW I feel that going deeply into things will be counterproductive. So I mainly talk about the here and now, and while I will discuss the effect that The Past has on me now, I do not go into The Past itself. I do feel it is helpful, not hugely so in some respects, but it gives me a non-judgemental ear and that is enough. The support workers deal more with the practical stuff in the here and now.
<SNIP>
LW your cards sound lovely! What cutting machine do you have? I have a Silhouette that I love! I am lucky as I also have use of a laser cutter through a friend, though I haven't had much of a play yet.

The other problem I have with counselling, is I have considerable trust issues - and I am deeply suspicious of anyone who does counselling for a living. :cool:

Re the cards - I have a Cricut Mini, which is quite fun, if not the easiest piece of kit I've ever used.

I thought it had gone wrong recently; but the problem turned out to be the latest update to Adobe Air, a piece of software that Cricut use for their machines - rolled back to the previous "incarnation" and all was well again. :T

I've been looking back over seven years' worth of doggie photos, to find ones suitable for cards; that's a LOT of photos to go through, particularly as I take ridiculous amounts of them whenever we have dogs staying.

I am envious of your allotment - though I struggle to manage our tiny bit of garden now; the back is nearly all lawn, which Mr LW keeps cut (I can, on a good day, just about manage to use the mower, but I can only do a quarter of the lawn in one hit) - the rest of it falls to me to do, or at least supervise, as Mr LW barely knows a nettle from a nasturtium! :rotfl:

Lynplatinum · 13 October 2016 at 11:30PM

Hiya

Tenant has sent a preformed latter from the council and it says that I must reply within 14 days and that they might come and inspect it!!! :mad: Lord knows what bundle of half truths shes told them.

Luckily my name could just as well be 'Mad filer' !! So have dates, receipts, estimates stretching back the 2 and 1/2 years shes been there!! Also all e-mails. Can prove Im a good landlord!! Also still in touch with previous tenants who will back me up!

Am gonna call council in the morning.

This is making me feel quite unwell and am thinking - just sell the darned place and live off the money till I peg it! Am also gonna talk to my accountant in the morning!

Am certainly going to send an estate agent round to find out what I could get for it. Hopefully she finds somewhere else soon.

Sorry, sounding off - but anger doesnt help aches and pains!! :mad:

Ok enough - back to the things that matter!
Larumbelle - I have been spoiling myself this week as am 'on holiday' and treated myself to a chilled As!a butternut squash soup - really nice, very creamy, not too many calories, filling. Not quite spicy enough for me - will make some when Bnut Squash is on offer and freeze!! Sure I can find a recipe or guess at one!
Lamewolf - yep I really need to review my C card situation - I know I moved some with me and I think I know where they might be!!! It will be a good way of telling folks where Ive moved to. therefore need to be pro-active and do them sooon!
Nite all - stay well

LameWolf · 14 October 2016 at 3:58PM

Lyn please go ahead and sound off; we can't do much in the way of practical help, but just telling your friends here hopefully helps a bit. Your tenant sounds a bit of a fruit cake tbh.
Just a thought - sending an estate agent round for a valuation might shock her into silence, if she thinks you might be considering selling the place.

My lovely friend Jack Spaniel is here for the next fortnight; so very little else is going to get done, as he needs two good walks each day, and lots of cuddles.:D

Slowly57 · 14 October 2016 at 4:28PM

LameWolf wrote: »

The other problem I have with counselling, is I have considerable trust issues - and I am deeply suspicious of anyone who does counselling for a living.

My other half does counselling and arguably the most important part of it is to find someone you like and trust. There's http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk also the BAPC http://www.bacp.co.uk/ and BACP http://www.babcp.com/ - a lot of help and advice there.

Slowly57 · 14 October 2016 at 4:45PM

Lynplatinum wrote: »

Have had an upsetting time with my tenant who has threatened me with talking to the council!!/QUOTE]

Lyn that is dreadful - obvs your tenant hasn't taken into account that the council (if they even get involved) will listen to BOTH sides. We lived next door to anti-social behaviour some years back and I found keeping a diary the most stressful part - it almost forces you to concentrate on the bad stuff to the point of making you obsessed with it. I hope you get it sorted soon xxx

LameWolf · 14 October 2016 at 4:45PM

Slowly57 wrote: »

My other half does counselling and arguably the most important part of it is to find someone you like and trust.

Indeed. Something I never achieved. I always felt as if I was going in there prepared to do battle; and of course when you're dependent upon whatever the NHS can provide, it's very much "take it or leave it".:cool:
I even had one counsellor start the conversation, not with "Good afternoon" or anything like that, but with "Why do you wear those glasses?" Errrrr...... because I can't see a darn thing without them?? :wall: It was all downhill after that!

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