Housing Catch 22 please help

demelza5

Thanks MamaMoo. I'm based in West Sussex, not far from Littlehampton. House prices have not gone up in our coastal towns, despite what the news says. I bought at the peak of the market and things haven't recovered - certainly not in my area.I will definitely check out my local freebies!

essjae

Hi demelza5, please try to keep your spirits up, the situation is by no means insurmountable!

Here is what I would do in your situation:
1. DIY fix front door if possible - if its just a case of cleaning/oiling or replacing stuck hinges. If the door genuinely needs replacing, I would get a tradesman in (or do you have a friend or relation with the skills who would do it for free/cheap?) Also get a dehumidifier in kitchen (borrow or get off freecycle/etc if possible)

2. Sort out light fittings - I would replace them myself if the problem is obvious (ie new bulb needed or a straight replacement of the ceiling rose/bulb holder). Anything more than this or if there is a problem with the wiring, get an electrician in.

3. Sort out kitchen. Start with doing a really deep clean of everything, so you can make a decision as to whether its usable once cleaned, usable with new doors (and plinths probably), or if you really do need a new kitchen. Once its all cleaned and dried out it may not be as bad as you thought. Pay for a cleaner if you really can't face doing this yourself - occasionally deals come up on groupon or other websites (Or see if you can badger the letting agent into paying). Ignore the holes in the laminate floor for now if its just a cosmetic issue.
Although I wouldn't usually advocate buying things on credit, this is a situation where getting a new kitchen on interest-free credit may be an option, providing you have a decent credit rating and income. Ikea is good for cheap (but stylish) kitchens, and usually have this available. Make sure the term is as short as reasonably possible, and don't use it as an excuse to splash out and over-spend. Preferably re-use anything you can, or source appliances (or you may even get a whole kitchen!) for free/cheap off ebay/freecycle/etc.
For ripping out the old kitchen and installing the new, get a team of friends to help (which will also make the whole thing fun, and start creating positive memories of the place!), particularly any with skills/experience, on the promise of a lovely home-cooked meal once its all done. (plus pizza etc while they're there!) Make sure any electric/gas installations are done by a professional though.

4. Curtains - curtain poles and fixings are not terribly expensive, put them up yourself (or get a handy friend to help). Buy cheap ready-made curtains, or if you're really strapped for cash, a couple of meters of fabric, or even just an old sheet chucked over the pole can be swept to the side to let in light during the day.

5. Move in! I assume both you and your partner are probably paying money for your current accomodation, so once you're in you should be able to start saving up for the lease extension, and while doing so, gradually fix all the other little niggles and cosmetic things around the house. Figure out what caused the damp problem - was it just condensation or is there a deeper problem which needs fixing?

6. Live there for a few months, then decide whether you would be happy to carry on living there, or whether you are going to want to sell up or rent it out. Start overpaying on the mortgage if possible, so that if you do need to sell or remortgage to buy-to-let there will be enough equity, while also saving as much as possible for the lease.
If you live there for a year or two, you may be able to get consent-to-let again rather than re-mortgaging.
Extend the lease as soon as you are able, as this cost will rise as time goes on. Use this website and forum for moneysaving tips to bring your outgoings down so that you can save more!
(Idea - could you ask for contributions of time/skills/tools/furniture/money etc towards house-fixing fund this christmas instead of normal presents?)

Hope some of this helps!