Oh heck

seven-day-weekend

Errata wrote: »

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

I have a friend who writes endless lists. The she makes a list of what lists she has .

Congratulations OP on your new home, your insight into your hoarding and your decluttering. I hope your money comes through soon so that you can make your home really comfortable.

Errata

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.

You'll have spyhole in your door and get a chain. or a door limiter. Ask your local crime prevention officer to call, they'll have some useful info and suggestions for you. You might also want to think about asking the council about an emergency call system like this one http://www.housingcare.org/service/ser-info-653-care-ring.aspx

Ames

BigAunty wrote: »

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?

My dad and sister are buying me out. The letter I had from the conveyancer this morning said that they're ready to proceed. They applied for the mortgage in January (before even asking if I'd sell to them) and have had to renew? Extend? I'm not sure what the word is, but they've had the mortgage valuation and everything and it's set to go.

She's not a home owner but dad is, with an equity release thing on his house. They're both in employment, although dad's going to quit his job as soon as the house sale goes through.

Errata wrote: »

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

Yup, they're getting crossed off!

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I have a friend who writes endless lists. The she makes a list of what lists she has .

Congratulations OP on your new home, your insight into your hoarding and your decluttering. I hope your money comes through soon so that you can make your home really comfortable.

Thank you. I just want somewhere warm and safe. I still can't quite believe that I'm going to be able to turn heating on when it gets cold!

Ames

Errata wrote: »

You'll have spyhole in your door and get a chain. or a door limiter. Ask your local crime prevention officer to call, they'll have some useful info and suggestions for you. You might also want to think about asking the council about an emergency call system like this one http://www.housingcare.org/service/ser-info-653-care-ring.aspx

Good tip about the crime prevention officer, I'll add it to the relevant list.

Savvy_Sue

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.

Oh drat, I missed that bit, but it's true that a mortgage offer does lapse if it's not put into effect within a certain amount of time. The only worry is that in April the application process was tightened up.

But, you're still going to get your money somehow. So panic not, take things steady.

Ames wrote: »

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.

You're welcome. One of my former colleagues used to do this, which is how I knew about it, also I've seen articles in local free mags by someone who does this and does a monthly column with tips. I hope yours is as good as my former colleague would have been (I know it's not her as she lives well away from Leeds!): she was used to working with people with OCD and MH issues and understood not to push them!

Ames wrote: »

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'm not sure that's an adequate answer ... does your housing advisor think so? The other advice you've been given is good re spyhole, door limiter etc but you do need to know that the local police are aware it's a new tenant and will respond fast if you feel threatened etc.

Ames wrote: »

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.

I'm glad you've got the tenancies running for four weeks, do you also have the dual HB for that period? I'm not sure it's automatic but you should have a strong case for it (and get it in writing ...) But also, don't feel you HAVE to finish the new place immediately - you can, but as you said you want to do it right, and if you can't immediately find what you want, as long as you've got the basics, you can finish each room in turn.

Errata wrote: »

You'll have spyhole in your door and get a chain. or a door limiter. Ask your local crime prevention officer to call, they'll have some useful info and suggestions for you. You might also want to think about asking the council about an emergency call system like this one http://www.housingcare.org/service/ser-info-653-care-ring.aspx

All good advice as ever.

Ames

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Oh drat, I missed that bit, but it's true that a mortgage offer does lapse if it's not put into effect within a certain amount of time. The only worry is that in April the application process was tightened up. It's lapsed and been extended since April, and I think it's valid now. I think the conveyancer has the most up to date info and her letter today said everything's ready to go once I get the contract back to her. I think that will probably be monday - I have a hospital appointment tomorrow morning, and depending how late they run I might not have time to get across town and back to pick up the keys at 1pm, then I have to wait at the new property until the gas engineer gets there, any time up to 5pm.


But, you're still going to get your money somehow. So panic not, take things steady.

You're welcome. One of my former colleagues used to do this, which is how I knew about it, also I've seen articles in local free mags by someone who does this and does a monthly column with tips. I hope yours is as good as my former colleague would have been (I know it's not her as she lives well away from Leeds!): she was used to working with people with OCD and MH issues and understood not to push them! The one listed for Leeds says she's had 6 years experience working with people with mental illnesses and that she'll be sensitive and offer gentle guidance.

I'm not sure that's an adequate answer ... does your housing advisor think so? The other advice you've been given is good re spyhole, door limiter etc but you do need to know that the local police are aware it's a new tenant and will respond fast if you feel threatened etc. I haven't spoken to my housing advisor about that specifically. I hadn't even thought that the police might be less than enthusiastic about attending the address, I'll def put Errata's suggestion at the top of my to do list!

I'm glad you've got the tenancies running for four weeks, do you also have the dual HB for that period? I'm not sure it's automatic but you should have a strong case for it (and get it in writing ...) But also, don't feel you HAVE to finish the new place immediately - you can, but as you said you want to do it right, and if you can't immediately find what you want, as long as you've got the basics, you can finish each room in turn.

All good advice as ever.

I'm not sure about the dual HB, my benefits advisor's dealing with that. Although hopefully I'll become ineligible for any HB well before the month's up!

Ooh, one other thing - I'm going to tell the hospital tomorrow that I've got a new address, but do I have to tell all the departments seperately? Cos that's about five departments across two hospitals...

Errata

Ames wrote: »

Ooh, one other thing - I'm going to tell the hospital tomorrow that I've got a new address, but do I have to tell all the departments seperately? Cos that's about five departments across two hospitals...

I would, but I'm a belt and braces woman. And worked in the NHS!

Savvy_Sue

Errata wrote: »

I would, but I'm a belt and braces woman. And worked in the NHS!

I would too. The different bits of the NHS don't always speak very well to each other: when Dad was in hospital for several weeks we were regularly getting reminders about appointments at the same hospital, with no number to get back to them on. At least my reminders give me the chance to get in touch if I can't make the appointment.

Ames

Telling all the hospital departments seperately sounds like the way to go then. One down, four to go...

I've heard back from the declutterer and she sounds great. She included a link to a pictoral hoarding scale, and it was really good to see that I'm not actually that bad - the worst room is about a five out of ten, the best a 2 (apart from the bathroom which doesn't need anything doing). It also helped me to see how far I've come in the last six months, when all the rooms were a five.

I've had a handyman quote, some stuff seems high but then some stuff seems really low. I'm going to ask on the In My Home forum if overall it's reasonable.

So hopefully the plan now is:

Move next week.
Declutterer the week after.
Move stuff identified as keepers from decluttering following week.
Clean old flat final week.

Hopefully that's doable.

Errata

I've had a handyman quote, some stuff seems high but then some stuff seems really low. I'm going to ask on the In My Home forum if overall it's reasonable.

Good idea, don't forget to say where you are, handymen in Chelsea charge a lot more than those in Castleford.;)