A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

fuddle

Hi Byatt welcome and you aren't taking up space at all... we're all in this together (damn the con dem's for coining that phrase!)

I rent and my landlord told me it was my choice whether I get prepay or stay credit meter, he said it's not up to him who pays the bills so not his business. Also the water company did not want any landlord permission when they put our water on a meter. hope to help

I'm so stressed tonight. I'm sat here drinking Aldi special ginger wine ('tis Christmas ) it's quite strong but warming through my body and dreaming of an open fire. That's all I really would like in life, heat via a real life source. It might be a romantic idea but..... dreams are dreams huh?

My children really are winding me up. Lots more tins bought today, much to the amusement to my Mum. I also have my snow shovel (£6.99 in Aldi if anyone would like to know) so feel somewhat prepared in the battle of getting the car back in the drive. I don't know why I bother as last year DH got snowed in as the snow plough chucked all the main road snow right in front car. 'Twas very funny, that's what you get for living right atop of the hill

Ah, there, a bit typing and a few swigs. Feel calm already.

Mardywotsit did the wind set the turbine alight?

ginnyknit

Byatt come here anytime you need support, many of us have had times of hardship and sadly most of it before the internet. The first sign of hypothermia is depression so remember to move about a bit every so often and do take care. I hope your problem is resolved soon - aren't people helpful here theres always someone who knows your rights and can give advice

fuddle

A new idea on left over mash on a blog I peruse :: https://www.thequincetree65.blogspot.com good idea

hornetgirl

Sorry to hear you're feeling so chilly Byatt. Until you can get the meter sorted out, do you have a couple of candles you could light? They'll at least make the room feel a bit cosier.

jpscloud

Byatt I am also having to cut back on heating this year so understand how it is for you. This may sound mad but I have actually considered putting up my old two-man dome tent in my living room to sit in watching telly or films! I'm not sure if I could fit an armchair in it, but if we have a really cold winter this year, I think I'll be finding out!

CRANKY40

You may not get the meter changed Byatt depending on where you live and what previous tenants have been like. Where I lived before this I was stuck with a prepay meter. When I moved here I switched to monthly DD and prepay was never mentioned again.

I think we may be better seeing if we can find ways of Byatt being able to cut some corners on other expenses and putting credit in the meter that way. If the landlord lost the spare key and the lock had to be replaced should the landlord not owe you at least a small share of the cost? What other expenses do you have for the rest of the month and how much food do you have in?

Fruball

CRANKY40 wrote: »

You may not get the meter changed Byatt depending on where you live and what previous tenants have been like. Where I lived before this I was stuck with a prepay meter. When I moved here I switched to monthly DD and prepay was never mentioned again.

I think we may be better seeing if we can find ways of Byatt being able to cut some corners on other expenses and putting credit in the meter that way. If the landlord lost the spare key and the lock had to be replaced should the landlord not owe you at least a small share of the cost? What other expenses do you have for the rest of the month snd hpw much food do you have in?

TBH, if the tenant lost the key, the landlord would be within their rights to expect the tenant to replace the locks :eek: Not suggesting that she should volunteer that, but a landlord could request it. Also, most tenancy agreements say that no changes can be made to properties without landlords written permission... that includes changes to phone numbers, gas/electricity suppliers and definately meters... If my tenant had changed to a water meter, I would be seriously worse off in the future. Thankfully she didn't as you can't change back to unlimited.

Best thing is to change meter, not tell landlord, and change it if and when necessary.... I am an ex landord (lady) and I wouldn't begrudge my tenant changing the meter IF then changed it back... Mine didn't and the company want to charge me to change it back!!! Don't blame tenant at all but will NOT pay.... Still fighting.... WILL win!!!

fuddle

I couldn't believe it when the water company suggested I didn't need to get the landlords permission, but I did anyway. On unlimited I was expected to pay £60 per month when I know I only use £30-35. That was a fair saving and something I needed to do. My LL appreciated that and agreed but like I say, the water company went ahead without so much as a yey from him.

Byatt

Thanks again for all your kindness. I have changed to a water meter with the landlord's permission even though the water board said I didn't need permission. I've kind of got myself into a hole because of some extra expenses; the car needed new tyres, then it's mot, then the car tax this month, and then losing my key. The landlord did offer to pay a few pounds towards it but hasn't. I have enough food in and when I get some petrol will be able to go to my daughter's for a few days to save some money on the heating. I'm selling on ebay and doing surveys!!

Just posting has helped me and I'm determined to get to grips with things again.

I'll have a chat with my energy supplier next week and try and work out a plan.

thanks you so much for the warmth of your hearts. xxxx

Broomstick

A very warm (((hug))) to you Byatt.

Some more ideas: apologies if they've already been mentioned:

Wear lots of thin layers rather than one thick one because apparently the heat gets trapped better. I remember meeting a bloke when I was long-distance footpath walking in my youth (1970s) and he worked for mountain rescue in Scotland. Goodness knows how we got onto the subject :eek: but he said that lots of the guys used to wear women's nylon tights under their climbing gear to add on the layers. Skiers and motorbikers sometimes wear thin silky gloves under the thick outer ones. Walkers wear thin socks under thick woolly ones.

You don't say if you are working away from home and I'm assuming you are not. Are you living near anywhere that is free and heated in the daytime or evening: library, leisure centre, indoor shopping centre? Is there anywhere locally you can spend time in the warm where someone else pays the bills? Can you volunteer somewhere that is warm? If you don't want to tell anyone about the heating problem could you tell a white lie and say that the heating is broken and it looks as if it may take a while to fix it?

The other thing is have you tried keeping wrapped in your slanket under the bedclothes? When it gets really cold here I now fold one of my cheap fleeces into a triangular head shawl and another into a shawl to wrap round my shoulders and body, add a hottie and bedsocks and it seems to work.

Look after yourself.
B x