greent's mfw journey

greent

Argh! Maybe I shouldn't have said that about the tenant - I awoke this morning to a message saying they want to move out on 10th Jan and can we use the deposit as December's rent (want to move out due to his health issues = no longer working = can't afford it) Tenancy agreement appears to say that (because they want to leave early - 2 year tenancy (at their request)) 3 months' notice is required (so 18th Feb) - I can see them not paying. Whilst I'm sympathetic to their problems I'm going to have to reply that they are liable for rent until then. His mum is an old primary school friend of mine.... argh!!

Ho hum - first world problems, I guess!

Anyway, in the world of new kitchens, I've now had 4 plumbers out to quote - and only 1 quote so far.... 1 electrician (2 days late!) No floorers (2 contacted - 1 never showed up for his appointment, other didn't call me back...) and 1 plasterer out (and quoted) And no kitchen surveyor as yet (I very much suspect he'll end up wanting to come out when I'm working for 2 weeks in Dec!) My original choice range is no longer made/ stocked (sob) so I've had to go for a more expensive (the law of s0d!) one. Haven't ordered it yet, as everyone seems to want to deliver before Xmas - the concept of ordering now for delivery mid Jan seems alien!

Talking of Christmas, I think I'm about 80% there on present purchases :j: I need to have a good sort out this week and continue with my wrapping (yes - I've already started wrapping presents and writing cards! ) and get some more ideas from DS2 (is also his 12th bday first week of Jan, so double) and some ideas from my mum (have small presents for her from the kids, but need a bigger present idea too) and actually purchase the present for bestie (know exactly what I'm getting and can get it online), get an Oxfam gift voucher thing (like a goat) for an aunt and some small bits to finish off DD (also her bday just before Xmas) and DS1 and I'm done! (Actually - that sounds like lots left to do, but it really isn't - I just need an uninterrupted couple of hours online to finish most of that) Whoop!

Right - shall just prep lunchboxes and then time for bed, methinks Will catch up on diaries tomorrow xx

Karmacat

Argh - first world problems, yes, but we *live* in the first world, and it *is* a problem! With added acquaintance-ship problems, argh.

80% done on the presents already is a great step forward, good for you

Botherthatcat

Well done on the present wrapping. I have a few more items to arrive from my online shopping at the weekend and then I will be getting that done too - amongst the chaos in the run up to Christmas it makes one feel extremely organised

greent

Phew - what a windy day! Am glad that all activities are done and we are now hunkered down at home It's bin day tomorrow, but I shan't out them out at the kerbside until the morning - I had moved them out to a side wall of the front of the house (so still sheltered) but came home from collecting DS2 from rugby to find the main bin had fallen over and spewed some of its contents over the lawn Cue moving everything back to behind the fence into the back and all sheltered in a corner area from the direction of the wind. The streets will be full of recycling being blown around tomorrow morning - the boxes we have for recycling have fairly rubbish lids which are easily broken.

So.... its rather hard dealing with a tenant who ignores messages and requests that we need to meet up and chat! I finally got him replying to online messages - but still ignoring some issues..... I dropped suggested wording around of the required notice and it took 2 days for him to bring it back - I had to point out that unless I got a notice signed and dated by both parties that the tenancy was still continuing.... He dropped it back in the wee hours overnight (OH was downstairs at midnight, and it hadn't arrived then - I was up at 6am and it was on our doormat...) Avoidance, I think!! I have chosen which EA I'm going with to get it out to let again (providing they do a 2% reduction on charges, as they intimated they would) and have an appointment with them on Mon afternoon - unfortunately the lettings chap is off until then I need to strip 3 'feature' walls of wallpaper before re-letting (I could get tenants to do it, but I don't trust them to do the job to my standard) and repaint those walls - and re-do their bad paint job in the bathroom. I also need to buy a new splashback for behind the hob (found a nice glass one I like for only £25) and get someone in to sink the boxed in cabling in the kitchen - the electrical work I had done earlier this year got all the wiring up to standard, but it's in boxing, rather than being sunk in. I was going to get it done anyway, but it's a messy and time-inefficient job. And ensure the place is clean (inc the carpets) after they've left. I think I'll go for a professional end of tenancy clean and clean the carpets myself with our Vax. I'm just hoping any prospective tenants can see past the bits which need doing - and the way-too-large sofa in the living room - and the already-up-even-though-it's-still-Nov large Xmas tree!!!:D:D Other than some small 'tilly tidy' type OPs, I shall hang fire on it (OPing the BTL mtge) now until the new tenants are well and truly in. I might just wait until the new tax year and go from then:)

In other news, OH's car is finally out of the garage today (in and out for the past few weeks - costing £950 - and it's just out of warranty, at 3 years and less than2 months old....) And the garage aren't 100% sure they've corrected the problem...... It's nice to have 2 cars again, though - there's too much going on to easily manage with just the one.

In the spirit of knowing what is going on with all our money, I have today finally sent off OH's NS&I savings book from when he was 10:eek: to get it closed! :rotfl: - as the last balance in it was 54p, I'm not expecting much!! :rotfl: But it's good to get that off my 'to do' pile (it was never going to appear on OH's to do list, so I had to be the one to deal with it) I had to send a letter off to NS&I anyway, as I hold PSBs under 2 different holder's numbers, so needed to get them merged - at least this way it only cost one stamp, as they went off to the same place (And that stamp was - of course - a freebie from RM Surveys )

Another small step to my ultimate goal of a totally decluttered house and a life where everything (as much as poss) runs to order :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: (we can all dream! )
x

Karmacat

greent wrote: »

Phew - what a windy day! Am glad that all activities are done and we are now hunkered down at home It's bin day tomorrow, but I shan't out them out at the kerbside until the morning - I had moved them out to a side wall of the front of the house (so still sheltered) but came home from collecting DS2 from rugby to find the main bin had fallen over and spewed some of its contents over the lawn Cue moving everything back to behind the fence into the back and all sheltered in a corner area from the direction of the wind. The streets will be full of recycling being blown around tomorrow morning - the boxes we have for recycling have fairly rubbish lids which are easily broken.

Windy round our way too - my neighbour has a solid stone statue of a greyhound, roughly lifesize (so still quite slim!) and it had been blown over. Luckily, my bins aren't due for collection till tomorrow.

In the spirit of knowing what is going on with all our money, I have today finally sent off OH's NS&I savings book from when he was 10:eek: to get it closed! :rotfl: - as the last balance in it was 54p, I'm not expecting much!! :rotfl: But it's good to get that off my 'to do' pile (it was never going to appear on OH's to do list, so I had to be the one to deal with it) I had to send a letter off to NS&I anyway, as I hold PSBs under 2 different holder's numbers, so needed to get them merged - at least this way it only cost one stamp, as they went off to the same place (And that stamp was - of course - a freebie from RM Surveys )

Another small step to my ultimate goal of a totally decluttered house and a life where everything (as much as poss) runs to order :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: (we can all dream! )
x

That's my dream too! :j One part of that is having the garden full of edible perennials, as far as possible

newgirly

We'll done on the Xmas front greent , I'm nearly sorted buying wise too. Some think we are mad doing it all too early, I think it frees up more time for socialising and having fun in December

michelle09

Well done on the Christmas present shopping. Well 54p is still better than nothing! You've reminded me I need to get the premium bond I have (£10 worth) moved into my name but I have to write to them. My grandmother bought it on the day I was born so the system has changed a bit.

You can dream! And maybe one day it will come true.

greent

The 54p has arrived!:D - am somewhat disappointed that no interest has accrued in 35ish years - but at least that annoying passbook has gone forever and is no longer teetering on the edge of my 'must get around to doing that someday' list of things to do :j

3 small things sold on fleabay and posted off :T. I have 2 large bags for cash4clothes (mainly Summery clothes) when I next go to Sains (it's a few hundred yards away from there) to gain a few more £. Warm gloves and hats and vest tops (for layering) have been set aside for homeless collection, to go with airline/ hotel toiletries.

BTL property has been signed up with letting agents - and photos are being taken tomorrow. Bad time of year for much interest - people aren't keen on paying deposits and agents fees before Xmas - but am hopeful it may go soon in the NY in that case (plus I need about a week or so to sort it in between the tenancies) Have chosen a managed let, as opposed to just a tenant finding service - I fancy being a bit more hands off for a while, esp as we have stuff going on. It costs 8% of the monthly rent, but I figure that it is worth it this time around for some space away from it. May reconsider the next time around!

michelle09

Well they do say to look after the pennies! No interest at all though? Seems a little cheeky.

The declutter is going well. Gotta get round to ours in the new year. See how many DVDs I can persuade OH to part with.

Karmacat

No interest payment at all seems *extremely* cheeky! Following up, though, just too much. Good for you for getting the capital back

8% for fully managed let sounds a good deal, actually, that does let you off the hook of all the calls about hot water tanks etc etc. Enjoy!