In a panic - flat about to be reposessed

bangersnmash

Hi Cool, I'm sorry to hear about the strain you've got.

Re rental a good site to advertise on is moveflat.com

I lived in some rough places and didn't particularly notice or mind. My choices were based on the size of the room and the location with regard to train, bus and shops, not the condition of the place.

I used to get the lodgers for my friend's place and it was rough and battered but we got 30 people who were all happy to live there, some of them for a year or two.

So if you do an advert on moveflat then say that it's a bit knackered but don't go over the top about it. So list the good points then also list the bad points.

Write it something like this :

First the good news, the good points are :

1 amazing location, right near all these great places (list them)
2 interesting building
3 nice friendly landlady
4 just you and me so nice and quiet and private
5 gorgeous cat, he's great

Now the not so good news, the not so good points :

1 the flat is a bit rough and knackered
2 everything sort of just about works but it's all a bit tatty, leaking taps, a lightbulb I can't reach etc
3 it's a bit chilly
Um, that's it, in a nutshell, so come and have a look, and note that due to the above I've made it nice and cheap, especially for this very expensive area. See you soon.

If you write that then I'd expect you to get lots of enquiries. Because anything in that area that's a bit cheaper than the average will be in demand and there'll be plenty of bods who don't care about the quality but do want a place that's a bit cheaper than the rest.

In your area rents are relatively expensive so perhaps note what they are then offer yours a bit cheaper. It's a popular area so if you're a bit cheaper than most of them then I reckon someone will snap it up.

Don't take the first person, wait till you've seen at least 6 or 8 so that you start to get a feel for what they're like. Obviously workers and foreign students tend to be good. Be picky and choose someone who you think you might like and get on with.

Remember that it's a lodger and not a tenant that you want. There's a big difference in law. Lodgers have relatively little in the way of rights and you're legally allowed to evict them any time you want. But tenants have rights and it's a whole other kettle of fish. Maybe have a read of the housing board here to find out more about this.

As another poster suggests, perhaps move into the small room yourself for a while and rent out the bigger room. My friend did this for a couple of years, it makes sense. I also know someone else who moved into their living room so that they could rent out an extra room. It can make all the difference. Takes the heat off straight away.

A slap of white paint makes a big improvement and makes it look a lot bigger. While you're at it do as much of the whole place with white that you've got energy to do, it'll make it all look lots bigger and brighter. My toilet and bathroom were dark blue when I moved in and when I did them in white they looked twice as big. It was an amazing transformation.

Twice when I lived in draughty very cold houses I taped clear plastic sheeting over the windows and it made quite a difference.

When I temped for a couple of years I signed on with about 12 or 15 agencies then eventually one or two of them started getting me work. This was secretarial and I'm a bloke so it was a bit of an uphill struggle. But eventually with some persistence I cracked it. This was pre internet days so I walked in off the street and signed on with them there and then. Then it was a rota of lots of phoning them all the time.

And I popped in once or twice to chat them up a bit more face to face and get a bit of rapport going. With the friendly receptive ones I did some chatting as well, not too much, but enough to get a bit of extra contact going and make them remember me. Occasionally that can make a difference.

Some of them the best times to phone was 8.50am to 9.30am sharp when they were doing the bookings for the day, other ones afternoons were more their peak time.

Ok, I'm blahing away lots so I'll leave it at that for now. Hope this of some use. Don't let it get to you, there is a way forward. Sooner or later you'll be past this, one way or another, so just do the best you can. Good luck, all the best.

Cool_Chick

Hello again you lovely people!

I've looked on the property websites but it's hard to value as all are so different. But I'll get three quotes asap.

And thank you for your kind words Lavendyr. You look after that black cat! And yes, it's just a house, and a very crappy one at that. It's without doubt the worst place I've ever lived in. Renting is so much less hassle. And I love reading about what makes you happy - I wish I could afford Champagne again! Mmm!

Cool_Chick

Ok, If I get quoted over £350k I'll eat my baseball cap!

And thank you Barbarawright for the link. I'll defintely take a look. Thank you.

whitewing

Dealcoholised wine is cheap if you need the feel of it without the cost. I used to get it from Sainsburys when I was pregnant and missed the Friday night feeling).

thomasdown

Cool_Chick head up girl. Advice on here has been great. Nothing else to add other than, you're flat will definitely sell for well over £300k. Doesn't matter about condition, people across Europe with Euros are pumping 100's millions into property in London because it's a safe bet from the Euro and your flat being in Fulham/Chelsea is a MAJOR plus!!!! An investor will definitely buy. Trust me.

Cool_Chick

Bangersnmash, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed response! Wow, there's a lot of info in there.

I've never heard of this website but I'm looking now. And I will certainly take your advice. I don't want to sound like a snob or anything (because I really am not), but I did not start renting until I was 21 and in a good job. So I've never rented cheap places. But this might suit a student or young person or foreign student. And I will research the price.

The plastic sheeting worries me as my windows are very big. I can't reach! And I'm worried about how it will look to viewers.

And I will start calling the agencies early.

I've researched the council renting scheme. The website says that properties must be in good condition. But I've emailed them anyway. They can view and judge it themselves. Maybe can fix it up and take the cost from the rental income due. I don't know. I've applied a few times for cavity wall insulation but no-one ever responds. My walls are brick with no attic so maybe not appropriate.

I very much appreciate your help. Thank you.

Cool_Chick

Sorry for all the typos. I'm too lazy to spellcheck!

Dealcoholised wine? Hmm, sounds like a option. No groggy hangover at 4am when my baby wakes me for food, poo and play!

And thank you for the support Thomasdown. We will see!

whitewing

You'll have to peer down onto the bottom shelf for it and there won't be many bottles in the shop, but it tastes good, and there is no duty to pay so very cheap compared to a proper bottle.

Cool_Chick

I'm going to definitely try it! I love to drink (I used to live in Dublin and it corrupted me!) but it's so dangerous when you're feeling low. That's why I thought chocolate mini rolls yesterday might be safer!

thomasdown

Cool_Chick wrote: »

Sorry for all the typos. I'm too lazy to spellcheck!

Dealcoholised wine? Hmm, sounds like a option. No groggy hangover at 4am when my baby wakes me for food, poo and play!

And thank you for the support Thomasdown. We will see!

Put it this way Cool_Chick, if it's a 2 bed flat (victorian) in Fulham/Chelsea that needs a total refurb. I'd quite happily pay you right now £300k and I'd be ripping you off. I'd say £360k definitely is easily achievable!

Good luck and please keep us updated with what you decide to do and remember CHIN UP!!!