Oh heck

Homeownertobe

OP I would suggest that if the money comes through before you have to move in then you should have the flat professionally cleaned and get decorators in to make it to your liking.

You've got the money to do it and it could make the entire process of moving that little bit less stressful. Plus, I assume you'll be there for a long while so making it your home in the easiest way possible would be a great boost.

Good luck on your clearout!

Ames

Pollycat wrote: »

OK, you've obviously got some work to do before you can move.

Do you think you might be putting things off because you're not ready to get rid of this stuff? I was thinking about this last night. I think that's definitely part of it for some of the stuff.
for example, is it not possible to just sweep all the out-of-date food into a bin bag right now instead of waiting until the removal people have been? Yes, but I think if I have a spare five minutes it's better spent on clearing the floors so the removal men can get into the flat. Also it's out of the way in cupboards, so it makes sense to fill the bin with stuff that's in the way.

I know it can't be easy but if this move is going to go ahead, you know that you have to deal with this 'stuff'.
Are you in a place in your head that will let you deal with it? I think so. I'm not bothered about getting rid of the stuff, I just don't know where to start with dealing with it. Plus I've done all the easy stuff, now it's mainly heavy lifting. And, for instance, the stuff left to do in the bedroom is where the mould's worst, so it's going to be a bit grim pulling it all out and binning it, seeing if anything's salvageable.

Do you have anyone who can motivate you to start this clearout?
Somebody who can sit you down with the first box, make you a coffee and then bin what you don't want and give you box number 2? No. The tenancy liaison officer was supposed to be coming every month to set targets and motivate me but it hasn't happened. There's no one else who can help.

Sorry if you think I've been too direct, I don't mean to be.

Not at all, you've given me lots to think about.

I think I've decided on the order to do things in. The hallway needs to be clear first. Then work through the hotspots in the living room. Then the kitchen floor, and finally the little bit in the bedroom. Once I get the kitchen floor cleared then I can have removal firms in to give quotes. I just need to hope that I have enough good days in the next week to be able to get it all done.

Homeownertobe wrote: »

OP I would suggest that if the money comes through before you have to move in then you should have the flat professionally cleaned and get decorators in to make it to your liking.

You've got the money to do it and it could make the entire process of moving that little bit less stressful. Plus, I assume you'll be there for a long while so making it your home in the easiest way possible would be a great boost.

Good luck on your clearout!

That's what I'd like to happen, but it depends on the money coming through in time, which looks like it'll be touch and go.


I've heard from my advisor, he says go for the flat. So I'm going to email the housing guy now.

Errata

Good luck. Bear in mind that if there are any hazards when the removal men turn up on moving day they may refuse to do the job, and they may well charge you for their financial loss.

Ames

Thanks Errata, that's what I've been saying, I need to clear the hazardous bits as a priority. My advisor's got back to me and can help arrange a removal firm. His suggestion is to get moved then use the four weeks getting the old place sorted, which I think is the best way of doing things.

Some of the hazards I can get moved myself. For instance, it's a bit awkward getting around the clothes rail, I can bin bag the clothes and take them and the rail to the new place over the weekend. Same with other piles of clothes, and things like spare bedding, suitcases and shoes.

Errata

^^^^ Problem solved :T Now shift theesen and start bagging stuff up - it won't move itself

Ames

Ok, so I'm signing the tenancy tomorrow. Then on Friday I go to the property to get the keys. They'll change the locks while I'm there and hand over the new keys, and do a gas safety check at the same time. So that's all good. It'll be anytime between 1pm and 5pm that they come to look at the gas, so I'm going to try and phone the companies that I need to speak to (Scottish Power, BT etc). I'll also have a go at measuring the rooms, but as I'll be on my own that'll be difficult.

I'm going to try and get some stuff bagged up and taken with me on Friday, although obviously I have to be careful what I take so it doesn't tempt anyone walking past and looking through the window. I might put it all in the bath initially as that's the only room that can't be seen into.

I've emailed for some handyman/plumber/decorating quotes, although most of that will depend on when the money comes through.

I had a reply from my solicitor saying she doesn't know when that'll be and that my sister had to put in a new mortgage application, I really hope that's not true, the conveyancer hasn't said anything to me about it.

So, some things are getting sorted, others are still up in the air.

Savvy_Sue

Honestly, I go off on holiday and you start moving! Fantastic news.

Could you get yourself a professional de-clutterer? Up the loan from the Credit Union and they'll do the lifting and shifting in the old place, also help you deal with the 'not quite ready to do this' aspects, and should also get rid of stuff for you as agreed, ie take stuff to the charity shop, other bits to the tip etc. You know you'll be able to pay the loan off soon, so that's not a worry.

If it was a crack house, ask your housing advisor what steps are being taken to keep the place trouble free in future.

Ames

Thanks Savvy_Sue, I had no idea that such a service existed! I guess there's more hoarders out there than we realise. There's a declutterer in Leeds who sounds perfect, I'll get in touch with her straight away. Part of me wishes I'd done that months ago, but I know that if I hadn't done so much myself and come to terms with being a hoarder and why, then nothing would have changed long term.

I asked what they'd do about the fact that crackheads lived there before, she said it would be cleaned. I was more bothered about dealers or clients turning up banging on the door, but I guess I'll just have to not answer unless I know who it is.

I've got all the official dates now. I get the keys tomorrw, my tenancy officially starts on Monday, and I keep the tenancy on the old place until October 27th, so hopefully can get everything sorted and organised.

My advisor is contacting the removal firm on Monday and hopefully I'll be moved next week. Then I can get the declutterer in and we can work on the old place.

When my money comes through I can get the new place decorated and carpeted. I popped into B&Q today and it really hit home that I have a blank canvas to get exactly how I want it. It really is a one off opportunity.

So now I've calmed down from my initial panic, I'm feeling really hopeful.

One thing I'm really looking forward to is reading Wuthering Heights. I used to read it every year as winter began, there was something special about curling up in the warmth with it as bad weather raged outside. But for the last few years without heating, reading it when huddled under three or four blankets when I could see the steam of my breath in the cold air, it hasn't seemed so appealing.

There is one good thing about moving house though. It means having to write lots and lots of lists. I like lists.

BigAunty

Ames wrote: »

I had a reply from my solicitor saying she doesn't know when that'll be and that my sister had to put in a new mortgage application, I really hope that's not true, the conveyancer hasn't said anything to me about it.
.

You said that you were selling the half of your late mother's house to your sister.

If she doesn't have cash to buy you out and is reliant on a loan to fund your share, then yes, she will have to apply for a mortgage like anyone else and demonstrate that she earns sufficient to be granted it (the standard loan to valuation to earnings type of calculation relating to ensuring the applicant can afford the repayments).

What is the source of her funds? Cash or does she need to be loaned it via a mortgage? Does she have a mortgage on that property, or another property at the moment? Is she in employment?

Errata

There is one good thing about moving house though. It means having to write lots and lots of lists. I like lists.

Me too, but they only work if things get crossed off them. Keep up the good work!