'supporting each other through really tough times'

Mrs_Chip

I would not wait for their return visit - I would contact them by email Monday AM and tell them that this is causing you unnecessary stress and as for them to respond with a specific list of their issues - get them to tell you exactly what they want addressed for them to be satisfied.

If you can, I would also take pictures of all your rooms, demonstrating their current state, and the cables - everything you can to show how their letter is totally disproportionate.

Byatt - sorry you are feeling carp - I think you need to look at the cost of fuel, it is such a big overhead for you - Nuatha's ideas sound like something for you to consider?

mcculloch29

Pops, that is a standard letter for sure. There's probably a tick box checklist that they go through and because things were untidy on that day you collected a certain number of ticks, a bit like minor faults on a driving test. Your cables won't be a trip hazard, but they saw cables, so the cables box got ticked... and so on. So that triggered the letter being sent.
Unfortunately the standard letter makes no allowance for mitigating circumstances.

I think Mrs Chip has a good point.
Another point, could you set aside £15-£20 to pay for a cleaner for a couple of hours to get things really gleaming? That would be a real help, I feel. Mine used to take all my charity shop stuff with her as well, some weeks she had to make a couple of trips out to the car.

Byatt

nuatha wrote: »

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

Thanks Nuatha, could you PM me to let me know what your mileage rates are. I have started charging for petrol over 5 miles, but fairly randomly because if I charged per mile it adds up...

I used to ask for a deposit but haven't for a while.

It's just been a busy week with all the driving and I just can't seem to handle it as well as I used to.

edit: virtually every official department now sends standard letters not individual letters, composed by an indvidual for an individual. I used to get very het up about it, but now know it's not personal, as you're expected to disentangle the parts that relate to you. HA are on par with private renting in terms of their contracts and their expectations.

grandma247

interesting site and idea

http://www.thingsyourgrandmotherknew.com/

Hope you get it sorted out soon pops. Talking to shelter is a good idea.

Possession

Pops stay calm about it all, always best to be reasonable when the other side is being unreasonable. I second giving Shelter a call.
Byatt I'm sorry things are so hard. I know we've talked about this before but I agree with Nuatha, you need to be protecting yourself more by getting the deposits and charging extra the more work it is. If there's anything I can do to help you know where to find me.
NuttyP that's very kind, but I'm pretty sure one of the ladies my MIL employs in her shop takes the Sun, MIL might already have her collecting them for us she's very good like that.
Went to get DS's eyes tested today, and he needed new glasses and also for the first time prescription sunglasses as he's been having trouble in bright light and he's really short-sighted now. Luckily, not only did he choose one of the free NHS frames but Vision Express were doing 2 for 1 on children's glasses and the optician said he'd waive the charge for the tint, so 2 pairs for free! Very welcome, I can tell you.

Popperwell

The rooms are hovered and dusted. The rubbish is all but gone but they way they are talking its as if you can't have any personal possesions of any kind and I'll not dare have anything in case when they call again they are unhappy. Whether that is now or in a years time.

The house has been ok for over 50 years that I have lived here and the previous landlord(council)were happy.

Popperwell

I'm thinking of talking to my councilor or even my MP. I have been reasonable and calm with them and if anything rolled over and gave in. The visit was originally said to be only one person and about checking information on me and my circumstances but two turned up and then the tour of the house was sprung on me.

stiltwalker

I got to drive a digger!!!! It was mega! DS loved it sat on my lap and DD 'helped' (spelt h.i.n.d.e.r.e.d!!) her Daddy to drive one. Saying that we paid for the kids and got free entry for ourselves as carers, on an MSE note it would have been far too expensive for what it was if we'd had to pay full price. It was by no means a full day activity so we went on to Hall Hill Farm - purely for purposes of research to compare with our regular farm park (lol) where we paid for DD, DS got in free as not 2 til Tuesday and again we got free entry as carers. It was great - DD got to ride a donkey so was made up although her friends at Hesketh can be reassured that she said it was good but not as good as there. Off to Beamish tomorrow and that will be totally free as under 5s free anyway and website specifically says that parents of disable under 5s get in free with their kids. Have to say County Durham is turning out to be a seriously disability friendly place to visit for a holiday - may have to think about a holiday cottage for a week at some point.

kidcat

stiltwalker that is brilliant, I am slowly finding places are offering disabled carers entry which is so helpful, I find that many places I just cannot attempt on my own with the kids so have to drag DD18 along too. The costs can add up.
There is a FB page which has loads of info on days out discounts, if you want the link let me know:)

EstherH

Hi STILLTWALKER/KIDKAT,
Some places don't advertise carers going free but always ask and usually they are. HTH. Esther x