Fire Fox's Debt-Free in 2009 Diary

Fire_Fox

Thanks for the support! It's lovely to know people read your diary as I know mine isn't full of hilarious anecdotes.

I saved up over £50 of Clubcard points over a couple of years, which I double-up and buy lovely wine! :beer: I'm just learning about buying products especially for the extra points, although £9 of my current balance went back on the card last quarter. I've not done bad considering I usually shop in Asda! I'm wondering if the extra fiver is because I left a written positive comment after my last wine-buying escapade? Nothing was too much trouble for a lad on wines and spirits and young lady at customer service.

kirstenc

Its always good when you are met with good cust service!

I save alot on the Clubcard too, we are going to go on holiday next year with Deals. Got around £400 so far in cc points (xmas savers for the last couple of years) so the holiday is on Mr T next year lol

Fire_Fox

Since I'm feeling sorry for myself I nipped onto the Next sale website .... £44 (including delivery) on an oak wall-hung basin unit. The matching basin isn't in the sale and is £125 but I had a quick look on eBay and I can get one the same size for £45 delivered! :money:

kirstenc

Sounds like a bargain Fire Fox!

Its like buying the basin and getting the unit Free lol

Fire_Fox

I really need to do something to my bathroom: the fittings are poor quality and the layout is poor, it really lets the flat down. I bought a beautiful walk-in shower a couple of years ago - still boxed! :rolleyes: - but it isn't possible to plumb it in without a huge step up. Plan B is to sell the thing on eBay.

Instead I need a shorter bath and side panels, wall mounted basin, bath and basin taps, toilet seat and wall-mounted toilet brush. The toilet itself is a good shape and in the right place; I bought a shower unit and heated towel rail in the sales. :T

Lastly the floor. I presently have (nice) oak laminate in the living areas as well as a lot of light oak furniture. I need to replace the hall carpet and bathroom vinyl and want one finish throughout - I have my heart set on travertine but it's too expensive. I've looked at rubber flooring, modern cork ... definitely don't want carpet or vinyl again and it needs to be fairly light and warm in colour.

claire0788

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I am not familiar with Scottish Law, it's different to English BUT some general advice:
1. Don't telephone, write a recorded delivery letter
2. Ask for an annual statement of charges and expenditure
3. Ask for copies of all service contracts
4. Read your long lease to see what is chargeable.

There will be plenty of guidance on the 'House Buying, Renting and Selling' boards if you run a search on factors.
Also try here: http://www.govanlc.com/factors.htm

Once you have the documentation you have something to complain against. Our cleaning contract says they vacuum twice a week on a Monday and a Friday .... it's a work of fiction! :rotfl:

Ye im going to fish out ALL the paperwork for them, i think they are crap ! They are actually a joke though, i have just had another bill from them today and they have charged me for things happening in somebody elses street !

Fire_Fox

I sent a long explanation of our situation to a firm of solicitors who specialise in Lease disputes on Friday and here is the response:

"Thank you for your enquiry of the Service Charge Company.

Firstly, our professional fees for acting would be £90.00 plus VAT per hour and disbursements. You do tend to ‘cap’ our initial time engaged to certain hours to provide some initial summary advice but it appears from the details supplied that the matter appears to have reached a complicated stage.

What we would intend to do is

1.Consider the documents supplied with copy demands, accounts (certified or not) and the Lease;
2.Establish precisely what costs you dispute;
3.We would suggest attending the Landlord/Managing Agents office and inspect the documents that make up the purported sums due and those in dispute;
4.Dependent upon the location of the building we suggest a site inspection;

Amongst these items we would bear in mind that the Landlord must adhere to strict rules and provisions to comply with the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985, 1987 with further amendments regulated by the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002.

I trust that this clarifies your particular questions and should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact me."

This just doesn't seem the right route for us as I can do a fair bit of this work myself and, in fact, already have! I think I am going to ring the Leasehold Advisory Service and see what the appropriate course of action is. I can't imagine the new owners want to simply write off the arrears, but equally a protracted legal battle will cost one or both parties dear.

Fire_Fox

Two surveys completed - IPSOS for 250 points and Valued Opinions for £1!

Junk food from the freezer for dinner tonight as we are both on late shifts; tomorrow I am going to cook sticky chicken and stir fry baby corn, red pepper and brocolli using meat and veg on special offer.

Taylo_2

Hi Fire Fox, thought I would come and ahve a look on your diary and see what you are upto being as you were one of the first on mine! Sounds like you are having quite a nightmare with the service charges, I have to pay a ridiculous amount per year for mine too, very hard to stomach when you know full well that nothing gets fixed or cleaned or cut ever!

You seem to do a fair amount of online grocery shopping, do you find it a better way of budgeting and does it tend to be cheaper even though you pay for delivery?

Keep smiling!

Fire_Fox

Thanks for stopping by! Don't stomach the service charges if you know things aren't getting done - question them. I know far more than is necessary about the legal side so please feel free to ask for help.

I've changed my supermarket shopping habits A LOT in the last year, I think I have halved what we used to spend! :eek: I find Asda cheaper than Tesco like for like - enough to switch allegiance in the new year - BUT the bus there and taxi home (£6) are more expensive than walking to Tesco and taxi home (£3). There is always a free delivery code for Asda on this site, and I definitely spend less online than in store as I tend to stick to the list.

Tesco I wouldn't normally use but last week I saved £20 by going through Topcashback, and opted for the cheapest delivery (£3 Wednesday). I've also learned from this site that Tesco accept other shop's vouchers in store if you are brave enough to insist! This is worthwhile when the Sun newspaper are doing £5 vouchers. :money:

Have you tried MySupermarket? It's great for comparing the price per 100g and easier to find the special offers. You can also join iPoints and get points for shopping at Asda via MySupermarket.