The trials & tribulations of a 1st time landlord & investor

TallGirl

Morning quick post saw a job advert on linked in last night posted by one of the managers at dream job. It's a six months secondment actually in the same team as my friend works in. A bit gutted but then it's not meant to be and I've got a job. Not sure it's going via the Agency if it is will be interesting if I get a call from them. If I don't I'll know it wasn't meant to be.

TallGirl

Enjoyed the men versus ladies yesterday I match and the ladies won overall. DG played ten holes with one of the ladies recovering from injury but is otherwise a very good player so good for DG.

Long week and early start yesterday so chilling today definitely. It's nice to have hot water back in the bathroom they have also installed a water heater on one kitchen sink but it's not in the main kitchen so a bit pointless and as it involves walking through two doors it's easier just to boil the kettle.

We're still going to deduct £6 a day for lack of heating and not full hot water our room has a sink and there's no hot water for that. It think it will be cold here in winter not sure I'm quite up for the portable radiator idea but we shall see and I do have the finances in place to move to somewhere else. We need parking and it has to be near the golf club.

First week at work was ok I quite enjoyed it even with the missing infra structure and IT gremlins at least I've got a newish PC now that will help. It's nice that my caseworker is so good and knowledgable she's also very professional. I just feel like I need to move faster too keep up but not sure I'm willing to do much more we shall see it was only week one. I got called a kid by one of the volunteers that was really sweet. She was trying to save me from the office politics.

Thing are almost back to normal after the break in of the car. I've got all my cards back and phone claim is now settled and a new one on its way. I'll get a refund for the cover so that £35 might buy a cheaper one might not I do like proper Apple ones. Should get it Monday or Tuesday can't wait. Got works phone a Samsung it's horrible but will do for work just have carry both.

To fix the scratches on the car is £375 so leaving that for now not really notable and I don't think the car will suffer long term if I don't fix them. Glad I didn't make the claim would have lost most of my no claims bonus definitely protecting it next year.

IFA is setting pension overpayments up again now I'm working and moving two smaller pensions sadly they need original documents or solicitor certified unfortunately I cannot get DG to do it but she might be able to ask at work. I do also work with solicitors just don't know them well enough.

Once set up I'll have one private pension and one with work plus my old final salery scheme. Much easier than having loads hanging about. I'm definitely not retiring at 68 which is what it is now for my age group. No way glad I've got finances behind me so I don't need to plus currently mortgage free.

Not heard anything re tenant I'm hoping he'll give notice end of Aug and we can get someone in so there's no void period. He's up to date which is good but better to get him out and someone in who can afford it better.

Right need cup of tea DG snoring beside me.

SuzieSue

TallGirl wrote: »

To fix the scratches on the car is £375 so leaving that for now not really notable and I don't think the car will suffer long term if I don't fix them. Glad I didn't make the claim would have lost most of my no claims bonus definitely protecting it next year.

Sorry to hear about the break in. If you do a search on Honest John, he says that it is not usually worth protecting your ncb as most people have found that their premium still goes up after a claim.

If the police were involved, then I think you need to inform your insurance company if you haven't already done so.

TallGirl

Thanks SuzieSue I didn't know that I've only got four years but when I stopped having company cars it was so expensive as I obovusly had no no claims bonus. Insurance knows as I claimed for the glass and cancelled the other claim for the paint when we got the items back I was only covered for £150 of stolen stuff hardly covered the clothes we could have lost let alone the bags so lucky we got it back.

Got my phone yesterday and then spent £52 in apple getting the same cover and screen protector I should get money for the cover back and hopefully for the lead they took I really need one for my bag to take to work they are so expensive.

Work is fine managed to catch up with loads and get my new leaflets out which was great. Also ordered business cards and sorted out getting my chair currently at my old work to the new one for £20 which is a good price and I don't have to drive it. I can then set my desk up at the right height and my back I'll be fine. Worth that bit of money and it's my own chair so I can just take it with me wherever I go next.

Forgot to mention friend who has the cats said Jack needs all his teeth out they were just going to pay but I never cancelled the insurance. Remember it was on my to do list for ages but I couldn't do it. He's going in Wednesday I'm sure he will be fine but I still feel like he is mine even though I know he isn't. I do miss them and I'm sad I never had Thomas cuddles when we were down last.

Need to get up soon was awake between 2 and 3 felt like I had just got back to sleep when DG woke up and went to work around 5.30. I got an hour more but broken sleep isn't great. Got a meeting in zone 1 at 3.30 then meeting a friend from the leadership course at 5.30pm. Will be an hour or so but will be good to see her and catch up with hq in my new world wouldn't mind working for them in the future.

SuzieSue

TallGirl wrote: »

Thanks SuzieSue I didn't know that I've only got four years but when I stopped having company cars it was so expensive as I obovusly had no no claims bonus. Insurance knows as I claimed for the glass and cancelled the other claim for the paint when we got the items back I was only covered for £150 of stolen stuff hardly covered the clothes we could have lost let alone the bags so lucky we got it back.

sorted out getting my chair currently at my old work to the new one for £20 which is a good price and I don't have to drive it. I can then set my desk up at the right height and my back I'll be fine. Worth that bit of money and it's my own chair so I can just take it with me wherever I go next.

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I thought that you could usually transfer your ncb from a company car.

Good idea having your own chair. I haven't been able to sit down and work for the last 6 or 7 years as it hurts my neck and shoulders so I have to stand up all day. It was tough for the first few weeks, but now I don't notice it at all. The hardest part is finding shoes which are comfortable to stand in all day. They can't be too flat or too high.

TallGirl

Not sure I could stand up all day I know you can get standing desks etc which is handy but definitely couldn't. I'm taking in my desk raisers and get a pedestal from the CEO which will be nice really good to be able to meet people without having to book rooms.
Re no claims bonus most companies don't transfer them from company cars or they don't count the same so I gave up in the end.

Met with contact from HQ last night really worth it got some good ideas and she's doing two projects that would definitely benefit our office. Also she might be able to get me access to proper project management tools wow that would be good.

Got my contract all as it should be says I can do casework which is great if a bit unexpected might be useful to keep debt skills up. Only SSP but with 30 days leave it shouldn't be a problem and I'm really not off sick that often. Working hours are 9.30 to 5.30 I've got to change that to 9 to 5 or even 8.39 to 4.30 just doesn't suit me and travel is easier too. I don't think she'll mind and all I can do is ask.

DG has got a job interview it is about an hour away but easy enough to get to. They are recruiting three solicitors for a council so fingers crossed. She has to do a presentation which isn't her greatest skill but hopefully with all her court work she'll be more confident now.

I'm playing golf Sunday DG won't have anyone to play without she's got to prep for her interview so that's ok. Can't wait for her to play in the comps will be a while off but would be easier. Need that handicap first.

Think that is about it been quite frugal but diet is awful need to get back on track for sure.

TallGirl

Dream job Agency now asked me to recommend someone for the job though one as I really do like it but decision made not going anywhere. Went on a home visit today bit of an eye opener really brought it home why I'm doing what I'm doing. Nice what with CEO she's happy with what I'm doing just need to capture it. I can do that no problems. Working from home Friday is fine which I'm very happy with problem is I'll be in late tomorrow and I don't want to stay late but should really.

Tired DGs alarm is on for 5.45am so really early even if I don't leave until just before 8. Journey much easier with phone so I can track busses but tomorrow might be fun as they are cutting even more trains. Glad I'm not travelling in Friday.

My tenant has found somewhere else which is a relief and is moving out end of the month. Rent will be slightly increased ready to be dropped if needed. Going back on Rightmove might have a nose now.

Hopefully able to get some stuff out from the loft next weekend and move some stuff up there. Would be nice miss a couple of dishes etc.

Jack my old cat should have had his op today I'm hoping I'll hear how it went. Don't want to chase it as it's not my cat I keep having to remember that.

Early night for sure but alls is well.

TallGirl

House was on Rightmove added yesterday email this morning tenant found ready to move in I'm so impressed with that agent glad I found that company.

Hospital for new insoles this morning got four pairs now never had more than one so that's really nice.

Work find stayed until 6.30 working from home tomorrow lots to suss out and think about so want some quiet time to do it. Senior management meeting good today I like the changes they are making and my experience is handy for them. Also cool to be part of something like that. I think they like me too nice new team as well as everything was under the CEO before now it's going to be divided better.

Been thinking I'm quite lucky right now the house should be sorted no voids and no works need doing plus I've got my nice new job. Would be good if DG got something and if we can stay here a bit longer. The cold will be horrible but we shall see. To live in zone two all bills included with parking and several rooms to ourselves all for less than £250 each is a bargain.

Totted up my income pre tax it's £56k, mad really but must save more really must. Anyway tired but nice to be a home tomorrow.

SuzieSue

TallGirl wrote: »

House was on Rightmove added yesterday email this morning tenant found ready to move in I'm so impressed with that agent glad I found that company.

That's great news. We managed to find a tenant to move in with only 2 days between tenants earlier this year.

TallGirl

Right done some totting up and while I was off work I wasted on online gambling and other crap a ridiculous amount of money £10k to be precise in the 5 months I was off. I felt sorry for myself and I do turn to gambling when that happens. Yes I do have a problem but as I can afford it it has no consequences which is bad and I do want to stop. I'm not going to so gambling anonymous I'm going to post on here if I feel the urge and I'm certainly closing all sites down so I don't get temped. It's usually no more than £20 I have set as monthly limits so can't go too mad but I set up some new accounts in the time I was off so that's the damage done.

I've transferred over the first £1000 this month and that takes it down to £9k. I want it gone before Christmas ideally but that's not possible until I get my tax rebate. My salery this month will be £1500 I can easily live on that but can't chuck anything next months so it will be Oct & Nov with min £1000 a month that takes it down to £7000 which is a bit better.

I'm going to update my signature and then I must get on with some work.