The impossible dream

Tahlullah.H

Purely because I am not very trusting of others or websites, I have invited the Council Planning Officer to come for a visit on Friday to see if I can do what I want to do.  Just because the Portal says you don't need permission, doesn't mean you don't!  Still haven't had the quote from the builder but it will be good to compare what the two say.  The builder is very positive, 'all is well' -  and I bet the Council say 'hold your horses!'  Watch this space...

savingholmes

You are probably ok but either way you should know soon. Like you we are doing home improvements and delaying our DFD. Hopefully we will get it back in house value of at some point. 

What will you be do at xmas?

peb

From what you have said you won't need planning consent but you will need building regulation approval. Something a lot of builders forget

Tahlullah.H

Well, I had a quick chat with him over the phone and will have further conversations tomorrow when he arrives, but he suggested I don't try for the upstairs balcony.  If you were to stand on the balcony and look forward or to the right, all is good, but if you look left, then it could be considered overlooking the neighbours garden.  As I don't get on with them, it would be an opportunity for them to object.  But he did say that I could probably have a Juliette balcony, as it wouldn't change the current view out of the window.  This is all dependent on what he has to say tomorrow, but just from conversation, it may be the way to go.   It would also be a lot cheaper!   I wanted the balcony because I feel the bedroom is quite small and won't accommodate a lot of furniture for the Airbnb'ers.  Yes, it has an ensuite, and a double bed and a fitted wardrobe, but I would need to think carefully about seating that could be moved in front of the window so they could sit and look out, without getting in the way of walking around the bed or walking into the bathroom.  This entire idea may come to a grinding halt before it even gets started.

He didn't appear to have any objection to the downstairs French doors and decking/patio, but again, we will see.  And yes, it may require Building Regs.  I struggle with the idea they come out and inspect everything, but why not?  Tomorrow is the day of reckoning.  Still not heard from my builder, but its not been a week yet and he wouldn't be starting until February anyway, so no rush.
I hate the idea of officials coming round to my home, for any reason.  I guess I just never feel comfortable, in the sense that it is your home, but they need to know what you have done and why on every little thing.  How DARE you add some extra electricity sockets to your house?  How DARE you relocate your kitchen sink in your own house?  I know it's still in your kitchen, but who gave you permission to move it???   How DARE you change your windows or doors without our permission?  Not sure when we became such a nanny state that we almost don't have permission to make changes in our own homes to meet our needs/wants/requirements without having to tell them.  In that sense, we would be better off renting!  Anyway, rant over.  I really dislike reading the planning and building regs portal.  It just tells me how much I have to answer to others and that my home is not my castle unless I conform.

Savings -  not sure as to the question?  What will I be doing at Xmas, bar eating stupid amounts and drinking like a fish?  I don't plan to do anything beyond try to keep a job and continue to try to pay down the mortgage as best as I can.  Despite everything that is happening, I am feeling quite low about the fact that I cannot afford to do work on the house to the level I need.  I need to make more money to make a difference to the fabric of the house.  I need to paint the outside, but that will cost thousands.  I need to fix my chimney, because I think it is leaking - again, would cost thousands.  In fact, I know it is leaking.  I stuck my head in the loft to look for the Christmas decs and there seemed to be soot up there.  So, I have to get myself some carbon monoxide testers for the bedrooms, as it's heavier than air and may settle once it escapes into the loft.  I can't even imagine how much it would be to repair the chimney - nothing is easy!  I have an open fire, not a wood burner, but the fireplace has been converted to hold a Flamewave Firebox, which is fitted into the cavity.  So, not only would I have the disruption of how to re-line the chimney, they would have to dismantle the fireplace as well!  And all of this whilst I am concerned as to whether I have a job next year or not.  The work will still need doing!

I do sometimes ruminate over the idea of selling up and finding another home.  But the chances of me being to afford another house where I live is a joke.  I bought over 20 years ago, when houses in Wales were cheap because the place to be was the city.  Now, everyone wants to be in the countryside, by the coast, and I couldn't afford even a small house, especially with no income to cover the mortgage payments.

The other way of looking at it, is that I could just stay here and live with the bits that are going wrong with the house, and when I come to sell, the buyer will knock me down anyway, so it's pointless trying to put everything right in the interim.  I have no doubt that the house would sell, whatever condition it is in because of the location and what it is.  Perhaps that's the way to think?  Rather than causing myself extreme sadness at my lack of income to make the necessary repairs, just live with them and then accept I won't get top dollar when I do sell because of the things the new buyer will need to put right.  And if I happen to win the lottery in the meantime, or if someone suddenly decides to leave me an inheritance, then I can fix it with that money!

I know that we have always been told that home ownership costs, but I really don't remember anyone saying it was going to cost THIS much.   Clearly my naivety.  To be fair, I have never known anyone else who has had to fix a leaking chimney.  Maybe if I give up on my ideal of the French doors etc, then I can afford some of the repairs, but shouldn't you want to enjoy your home the way you envisage it, rather than just spending to keep it perfect for the far off time in the future when you need to sell to pay for your nursing home?

savingholmes

Sorry things aren't quite going to plan for you. I think the risk of death from a leaking chimney has to be the highest priority to at least check out... It sounds like you are a bit fed up at the moment. Things will sort. Worst case as you say when you come to move you can leave things to your new buyer to resolve. It needs to be safe for you now - so a carbon monoxide alarm is definitely a good place to start. I think you can get them for £10-20. I got some called fire and the word angel. Seems a good make.

Tahlullah.H

Hi Savings.  Just normal ups and downs.  I go from one extreme to another, just annoyed that nothing is going right.  I did win £20 on the lottery!  Not spending it all at once!

If my builder ever gets back in touch, I will speak to him about the chimney and it's repair.  Whatever, I can guarantee it will not be an easy fix.  Thanks for the recommendation on the Carbon Monoxide detector.  I have ordered from Amazon and am awaiting delivery.

Anyway, I have settled on the Juliette balcony.  I feel quite positive now I have made the decision.  My only concern now is the thought of leaning on it and it collapsing.  But I appreciate it's because I have a fear of heights and would never lean on a balcony, just in case it gives way.

Mortgage payment and mortgage interest made this morning, so now at £41k.  Any payments from now on will take me into the £40k bracket, which is where I wanted to be at the beginning of next year.  Great that I know I can manage it, but sad that I will probably go back up due to work to be done in February.

savingholmes

Nice to have a win. The juliette balcony's are pretty - and you can potentially put a nice basket of flowering plants on the side of it too.

Tahlullah.H

Thanks for the lovely suggestion Savings.  That would be beautiful!  Will look to do that!

greent

I like juliette balconies - I always think they look lovely on a house

Tahlullah.H

Today was another money shuffle day, so managed to make another payment to the mortgage, and paid £40 into the car loan.  This is coming down nicely.

At some point, I am certain I am going to wish I had kept some of this money fluid...