Hoarding - Springing Ahead

roundtuit

Hello :hello:


I have some Annual Leave to be taken, so I'm off work now 'til Monday. I was looking forward to getting stuck in to some extra days de-cluttering; however the post has brought a letter saying that the Housing Officer is coming on Friday afternoon to 'check that you are complying with the terms of the Tenancy Agreement', and my anxiety levels have gone through the roof.


I'm telling myself that: this is the expected follow-up from the Home Check made last month when the checker said she was going to report back my 'hoarding issues'; the house looks nothing like it did when the checker came; I pay my rent/ do not cause a nuisance/ do not allow visitors or guests to cause a nuisance/ have not damaged the property. But my anxiety is saying: it's not good enough; they're looking for a way to evict you; the living room still needs decorating.:(


As I am on leave I don't have to take time off work and I have 48+ hours to keep on keeping on. DS's dad is coming tomorrow to 'sort out' the small bedroom. He has promised he will not throw anything out, he's just going to stack things in an aesthetically pleasing fashion - apparently he's been itching to get in there for ages to do just that! He says it can be made to look a lot better just by rearranging what is in there - boxes and boxes of stuff, so that it doesn't 'hit you in the eye' as you walk in.


I am now at the stage where a visit from the BT engineer next week is not sending me into a paroxysm of eeeeek as he'll be able to get where he needs to be without tackling an obstacle course; and I invited a friend round for coffee!!!! (But she's not coming, we're meeting at the village pub instead - the way I feel at the minute I'd like to drown my sorrows in alcohol. But I won't.)


I'm not going to enjoy my days off now - it feels like all the joy has been sucked out of me. Damn and blast!


Rxx

roundtuit

oh I forgot to say - I phoned BT at the weekend and arranged a new package which will cost me £20 a month less :money:
I'm doing really well, I can't let this knock me off track...


Rxx

whitewing

roundtuit,

At worse, they are just box ticking.

Perhaps they are looking at ways to support you. I am sure they will notice a difference.

I also think that for anything you havent been able to do yet, they need to understand that it isnt necessarily a quick fix for best results.

lobbyludd

RT - you are making progress - for yourself, not them, so keep on at it with that in mind. don't worry about the decorating - that is a separate issue which you will get to as you get further along this journey.

if they offer any help, perhaps see if you can book a removal of something large that is hampering you - win, win, you get rid of something and they get to feel they are supporting you! just an idea.

boxes, boxes, everywhere (well in the loft), ones that are empty as I've been getting rid of things. They are not even pretty, and some are broken but they look useful ha!. I will grab a few this evening and put in the car ready for recycling.

I wish it would stop raining, the damp patches are getting much worse in the kitchen - and it's definitely coming in from outside, bah.

bins out, that's it for today, and some bottom of the fridge veg into a lubbly stew.

roundtuit

Thankyou whitewing and lobbyludd xx

I started doing this for myself and for my son. That is still who I am doing it for. Officialdom always brings on severe angst in me.


I have made myself keep going - anxiety makes everything like you live in treacle don't you think? Pots and recycling are done; laundry pile now consists of a boiler suit, a t shirt and two tea towels; I've had a quick straighten up in DS's room- picked up a few bits of rubbish, recycled a couple of cans; rehomed a few more items from the living room.


DS's dad is bringing Henry tomorrow and is going to blitz the place as well as re-arrange the small bedroom. He actually offered to take everything away in boxes and bring it back on Saturday, but I said 'No' - it's a work in progress, let her see it is. He says it's not bad at all now - but all I can see is what there is left to do - which is ironic considering the tip I've been living in for years.


Heyho. Going to the pub to meet up with my supervisor from my old job - looking forward to catching up on all the gossip, erm I mean news.


Rxx

ginnyknit

Aww Roundtuit, dont feel bad, in 48 hours you will have made a huge difference and feel amazing. Then you will have more time in the future to enjoy your home as so much will have been done.

Going to get on with my fleabay photos next then make up some cards with bits that have been hanging around. hopefully this means more stuff will be leaving the house soon.

sweetpea26

Keep going Roundtuit

You are making excellent progress...take it one step at a time.

Enjoy meeting up with your friend.

GreyQueen

((((((((roundtuit)))))))))) you take care, petal, and well done on getting a better deal from BT.

I'm sure the visit will be fine. Your housing officers are just running scared that someone will have a severe injury or die in a house fire caused by an excess of stuff. They've got managers on their back, too. It's not a job role that people go into to make shedloads of misery for other people and they're certainly not in it for the 'ginormous' wages.:p

I'm sure when they see the progress already achieved, the order spreading out, the signs that you're coping etc, they will be able to tick their tick boxes and go away happy.

If you feel the need for decorating is pressing (and this may be you're feeling rather than something which will be obvious to a visitor), why not casually have something like paint sample cards/ paint company brochures 'accidentally' on your coffee table? If the subject's mentioned, you can just remark that you're making plans to freshen the decor up once you have a few more bits and pieces out of the way.

It's nothing more than you intend anyway, is it, and it sends a positive happy message to the H.O. that this is a woman with plans and a positive outlook.

Am about to sally forth into the kitchen which has degenerated a bit. I need to have a good wash up and counter-wipe and then get on with some proper cooking. I may be gone for some time.;)

mcculloch29

Roundtuit, please try not to worry.
One of the former regulars of the threads here had exactly the same thing happen.
The housing bods had popped round to check on things, but the tenant was in mid clearance. They had blocked doorways with sacks of recycling waiting to be put out, and also popped some sacks of clothes destined for the charity shop in the bath for want of a place to put them.

The housing bods then asked if the person ever bathed...!

The housing bods quite rightly wanted to check that all was safe and made a second visit. (It was fine on the second visit. Doorways clear, bath empty.)

If you make sure that doorways are clear and there are no H&S issues you will be fine. I am sorry it's spoilt your break though. Well done on all the progress you have made so far.

roundtuit

Thank you for the support ginnyknit, sweetpea, GreyQueen and mcculloch xx :lovethoug
The doorways, stairs and bath were clear on the first visit - although that may explain why the checker looked behind the shower curtain, something which has been puzzling me since the visit. :think:
I had a lovely 'catch-up' with S last night - a little alcohol was involved, followed by a call at the chippy on the way home - two battered sausages, chips and curry sauce (why is it that battered sausages taste good after alcohol, but not at any other time?) Then I chilled out and watched 'Lewis' - which led to me spending half the night wondering 1. why did the needy botanist killed the arrogant cleric and 2. how did she manage to smack him on the head and push/ drag him in the river when he was at least twice her bodyweight? I think I must have zoned out and missed a bit! Oh well. at least I wasn't fretting about the 'Visit'.
Right I shall poddle on.
Have a good day everyone
Rxx