'supporting each other through really tough times'

Byatt

RosiePuddingPaws wrote: »

Sorry to hear things are such a struggle Byatt. I fully understand the high cost of driving when you live in a rural area. Keep giving Polo cuddles - they're usually good for raising the spirits. Sadly only one of mine likes cuddles, and she is unlikely to be with me much longer. 19 and her back legs are getting really wobbly. She wiggles her way down the hall like some fancy supermodel!

RPP

Thanks, I'll probably feel better tomorrow, just this miserable weather after the lovely sunshine of last week.

Petrol is cheaper in the city than out here, which is infuriating!

Awwwee, poor puss, I'm sitting a 19 year old cat at the moment, he is such a dear chap. Hope you have yours for longer than you think.

I lovs my cat.

kidcat

Byatt ((hugs)) I wish I had a magic wand to make things better for you, you have such a tough time.

nuatha

Byatt wrote: »

Feeling pretty defeated today, have done 700 miles and spent £90 so far in petrol and this has been just for a week in respect of the pet sitting and travelling. I'm worn out, irritable and wonder if it's all worth it, people complain if they think I've increased my daily rate, I haven't, or take the p!ss when it comes to payment at all. I only use the car for business, no pleasure at all (and visiting DD), can't afford to go out, have an empty freezer I can't fill and generally struggling, whilst putting on a brave face. My income has dropped so much in the last 2 years whilst everything else increases.

In case it helps, I haven't been able to increase my rates for nearly 4 years, but what I have done is reduce the area I cover free and have introduced a mileage charge beyond that - my clients sympathise over the increase cost of fuel and seem fairly happy to pay extra expenses rather than a higher hourly/day rate. In my case I do a 15 mile radius free (and stretch it a little for good customers).
The other thing I did, quite a while back is offer a discount on payment within 20 days - in actual fact I put the rates up across the board and the new discount rate was still about 5% higher than the old rates. On time payments doubled, several clients started writing me cheques that day in case they forgot and had to pay full price.
If I was working the way you do, I would charge a sizable deposit on booking, probably 50% with the balance due when they return. If they cancel at less than 2/4 weeks notice I would expect the full balance to be paid and with less than 2 months notice they forfeit their deposit (or at least half of it).
HTH

Popperwell

I had a day out and came home a few minutes ago to be greeted with a letter from the pair who called from the HA on Wednesday to be told that I have had an official warning on my tenancy which I was not told when they called.

Even though I explained I was in the middle of clearing rubbish etc...and I can only get rid of it in stages because the wheelie bins are emptied alternate weeks.

Within an hour or so the kitchen was tidy and had they not called that day it would not have been like it was, it isn't now.

I've have cleared stuff in a bedroom that was not untidy so have thrown out even more items. The bathroom is almost clear too.

I told you that they mentioned the books(they haven't mentioned them in the letter)but now he's mentioned wires being tangled which they are not nor are they on show and you can't fall over them because they are not across any carpet. They are also connected to special electrical socket things that stop surges of power or equipment being affec ted by lightening strikes.

The letter goes on to explain parts of the tenancy that I have to abide by and most of it does not apply to me...

Such as "Any furniture, appliances, carpets or curtains provided by them must be kept in good condition and not be removed and they will charge for any repairs or replacement."

"I must dispose of rubbish properly in line with the councils requirements and this include bulky/unusual items."

I do that already and always have."

"I must put the wheelie bin and recycling containers out only on the day of the collection and replace within the boundary of my home as soon as possible after the rubbish has been collected"

I do that.

Remember the three points above were not discussed on the visit and he said the garden and where the bins are were fine.

"I must report the presence in my home the presence of rats, cockroaches and other vermin or pests to the council" I would but there isn't any.

"I must keep the garden tidy and free from rubbish and debris otherwise they may clear it and chage for this"

"I must keep all gullies, entrances to drains, external airbricks and vents clear and free from obstruction" They are. And it was earlier in the year I reported a blocked gutter and had it cleared.

The silliest point of all is that "I must obtain written consent before putting up or taking down any fence or wall. As it becomes their property and must not be removed"

There were no fences before we put them up and they have only ever been replaced if damaged by the weather(ie:Winds)

And most people I am sure would just replace like for like and if it is done by say me and by calling in the appropriate builder I am saving them money. And the only fences are alongside the garden and offer protection/security. And any changes were done by the new neighbours who removed some of our fencing on their side and also errected a small wall and their own fencing so I'd like to see how that becomes my HA's property.

I think that they have been heavy handed and unfair.

He ends by saying if I wish to discuss the contents of the letter further I can phone him. I'll wait until he calls on May 24th but may seek legal advice in the meantime.

I'm not a hoarder and he never said I would be receiving such a letter when he left. Just that it would be to arrange a follow up visit with a date that he would call again.

I am pretty cheesed off...

He was different when he called to how he comes across in the letter. And its my word against two of them.

kidcat

Pops - call shelter and get some proper advice before you speak to them again.

Popperwell

Virtually nothing of the above was said to me on the day and he kept saying I know you are going through a difficult period and that they were only concerned that I may need help and it was for my concern. This letter sounds anything but.

missrlr

kidcat wrote: »

Pops - call shelter and get some proper advice before you speak to them again.

Seconded copy and paste all your posts here then review to add any details and use that to discuss with Shelter

Sure you will get it sorted

nuttyp

POPS, the letter does seam very heavy handed. Our neighbours have just ruined part of our fence and they are council tenants like myself. They have no respect and their garden is greatly overgrown. Nothing has been done so far. They have nailed blankets up at the windows and the carpets left by the last tenant are in a heap in the front garden.

Definatley ask for another visit, and appeal the letter. Well done on the clearing so far tho.

take care x

savingqueen

Hello everyone,

Been feeling a bit down last couple of days, guess its the email from my sister - not just the email but the longer term picture. :(Had a really bad attack of indigestion last night which kept me awake til the early hours. Think is linked to stress, today I have a mouth ulcer and my face has broken out with spots (how can that be with wrinkles and grey hairs? not fair say she, stamping her feet :rotfl:)

Anyway have abandoned my list of chores, they will be there another day won't they and given in to mooching aboutness instead. DH has been busy catching up with collegework, he got very behind somehow and no homemade meals in freezer etc so we went to a certain burger drive in. Never done a drive-in thingie before and it was a nightmare (spare you the details) and although the kids were in 7th heaven eating fav junk food in the living room (both things rarely allowed), us adults agreed we wouldn't be repeating the event in a hurry. Have fallen off the OS wagon a bit last couple of weeks and feeling it, hopefully will be back to homecooking tomorrow, will stick to simple stuff til I get my mojo back and the food supplies topped up again.

Hugs to Byatt. Hope you have a better day tomorrow. Let us know how you are doing?

Pops - that letter sounds like a standard one they churn out to everyone instead of picking out what applies or better still typing out one or two small points. Sounds like they are just nit-picking. Try not to read too much into it and remember most or none of the points apply to you so you have nothing to really worry about.

Edit: pops, also a good idea to get some advice as others have suggested to get the HA off your back and put your mind at rest. Just don't want you to worry more than you need to.

Am going to pack kids off to bed now and take a cuppa and lappy up to bed. Need to chill and catch up on my sleep

sq:)

Popperwell

I forgot to add the letter ends by saying they could take court action...