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

Moneyfordreams

Best wishes to you both and condolences. x

TallGirl

Happy New Year hope you all had a good one I did with mum she was a bit sad being on her own and dg was obovusly too but we had a nice night all three of us and my sisters dog.

Came back on the 1/1 and dg is signed off with a cute grief reaction she's for appointment with GP next week. She's isn't good lots of crying but worst of all not much talking she says she can't talk and I find that hard. I want to help her but if she isn't taking it's hard. She's lashing out and she knows it but I can cope feel refreshed after seeing my family.

My exam isn't until next Monday I though it was tomorrow so that's good. Just done another mock scored 86/100 so happy with that. Need to do a bit more next week but work will also have to be done. Got a bit of a dilemma I really want to go and see my exFIL it's his birthday on Thursday and my exBIL and exSIl are over from South Africa. I've said I would come down and see they as last time I didn't so it's been a long time although I saw my FIL in hospital a while back. They are having lunch as 1pm at a restaurant and I'm invited but I really should do some work and I had planned to go down in the afternoon instead. Should I sod work (I've had lots of time off with DGs mum remember) and go early or should I stick with the evening. Alternatively I could go on the Friday and dg and I could go down together and see her uncle and aunt which I think would benefit her. If I do that I'll have to say oh can I change it or take Friday off work which is a bit of a pain to be honest but I would allow me to study,

Anyway further complications is also that my mum has invited the whole family on a Baltic Cruise last week of June. Same Saturday dg has got vip tickets to see Pink. She was going with her mum but has kind of asked me. I'm keen to go on the cruise and we're working out if we could met at the next port in Germany and loose in effect 1 day. Cruise looks fab but dg is now saying I'm favouring my family I think it will all work out but a bit of puzzle everything.

Financially going ok need to see my IFA in Feb for review and seriously thinking of letting my tenant have another year at the house and rent somewhere else due to Brexit. Ideally I would want her to buy it but not sure she can. I'm hoping she will ask the estate agent to extend beyond 1/4/19 which is when her fixed contract runs out as I don't really want her on a rolling contract as she could then leave anytime. I do want to sell but but don't want it left empty too long. Dg is now having wobbles about living there even while selling something she was ok about before. I'm hoping it's just the grief etc but a concern. I think it will sell quickly but you never know.

Finally my mum has booked tickets to come over at Easter cannot wait will be fab to finally have her visit she was last over for exdh funeral. Will be so good to have her here and we've got room so she can stay,

Right now I'm waiting for dg to come back from clearing her mums flat and then I'm off to bed. Diet wise things are much better and I've been twice back to the gym but only one short session at the driving range. Once exam out of the way it should be better.

Night night all

TallGirl

Moneyfordreams wrote: »

Best wishes to you both and condolences. x

Thank you much appreciated didn't see the reply

TallGirl

Exam done and dusted today I did get some wrong but I should pass no problem. Only two more in June plus two practical ones which might have to be done after June.

Went down south bumped into a friend a local pub I used to go to. So emotional to be back butgood to be able to say I'm coming back and have plans. Dg is very difficult though she is really struggling with her grief and having to clear her mums flat. I'm trying but it's so hard as she won't talk just cries or stays up all night drinking and crying. Not every night but a few.

Work is ok not too busy so on top of things but seen a job I want to apply for. It's only four months and time I not great but it's part time so could possibly combine with this job and it would be ideal experience for what I want to do longer term perhaps as a consultant. They are asking for the world in the job advert which I haven't got but I have a lot of what they want so worth applying even if it just gets me on their radar. Job is home based so ideal if it was a bit more longer term but you never know.

Tired tonight so no gym eaten out of the freezer need to sort lunch for tomorrow but apart from that chill out now. Place all to myself and flat mate on holiday and dg at her mums place. Bliss actually.

TallGirl

Lots of things going on here my tenant wants to give notice when her tenancy comes to an end 31/3 as she cannot afford it. I asked if I can drop the rent but she said she's buying her business and she would need to drop by £400 which she didn't think or expect I could do.

I've spoken to an estate agent is quite possible to sell with a tenant on a rolling contract if they are relavitly neat and tidy which I know she is. I'm going to call her and ask if she will rent for £900 on the premise she lets estate agents do the viewings and obviously needs to leave when there is a sale. It would be a win for me as I wouldn't have to have an empty property when I sell and I hopefully avoids moving back in myself. Also if empty I would need to keep the garden up plus pay council tax of course.

I hope she says yes but going to ponder overnight in case there are any pitfalls maybe ask on the property board. Don't really want another tenant in its such a short time frame and they might reck the place.

Still not applied for that job but I have completed some of the bits. Need to call them so many things I feel I need to know. Hopefully tomorrow.

TallGirl

Still not spoken to the tenant proptery board has given me lots of food for thought maybe make it limited to Aug when I need it myself. Only just got home stayed at work to do application for that job. Spoke to the person recruiting as it's kind of an internal job it's basically an urgent need for that person now due to the people above being moved to other posts. It is only until June due to funding and part time but who knows she said. Problem is n 4 months you can't fully learn the job so a lot of I it will be mundane but still I would learn from it. It is home based which would be amazing as I wouldn't be doing my stupid commute yeah. I'm getting slightly excited about this opportunity shame it's not Aug onward but hey ho.

Dg coming back tonight I can't say the right things she's very upset still and misses her mum which is understandable. She's under a lot of pressure and she won't speak to anyone so yes it's tough but I love her and I'll be there for her I know she would do the same if it was me. Just grateful I still have my mum.

Tahlullah

Sorry about her Mum TG.

TallGirl

Thanks Tahlullah good to see you posting again.

So spoke to the tenant last night she's really nice actually. She didn't want to leave she's so happy there. I proposed she stays there while it sells which she is happy to do and she's agreed to get the estate agent in to value straight away. I said I need a review of the situation around Aug when I'm due to move down myself she's fine with that. She wants to know the value as she wouldn't mind buying it herself but she's buying her own business which is what is causing her the problem with paying the higher rent so not sure about that one. Lots of options and valuation first although I think I know and they always overvalue estate agents to get the business.

Done 7 out of the 8 questions on the application form getting there really don't want to spend my weekend doing it. We have DGs two friends coming over Saturday which will be nice she needs the distraction she's still crying a lot and generally missing her mum. It's very sad but I'm trying to support her. Best get off to work it's Friday yeah!

TallGirl

Application done by Saturday evening so went to driving range which was nice. DG got some of her mums stuff on Gumtree one item is hopefully going tonight I want my study back well it isn't a study as I have no desk or chair but lift is broken so annoying as were on the 5th floor.

Golf today couldn't take our trolleys as they can't stay in the car like they normally do so had to hire them at at the club. It was £10 for two so decided to get a buggy it's normally £26 but got it for £13 real bargain and nice to drive around no muddy wheels.

Baking a ryebread so I have lunch for next week so does DG who will be away until Thursday night sorting her mums place out. Spending a fortune at work otherwise and it's not good for me. Need to get back on the normal diet and back in the gym. I'm almost back at pre bootcamp weight that's a waste. Gym next week and the walking up the stairs does help too.

Dg is still not quite herself she's hoping she will ge more time off work. I think she needs it but it will also help once the place is empty and she doesn't need to go up there again. It's hard to do but she's putting it in storage so will have to go through it again.

My tenant can't buy the place shame but I've asked if I can put it for sale 1/3 or 1/4 and drop the rent to £900. The housing board came up with all sorts of horror stories and many said they wouldn't even view is there was a tenant in then house. I'll see what happens I'm confident of my landlord rights and duties as dg is a housing solicitor. Tenant owns her own business so she isn't going to want a CCJ.

Anyway time for a bath then movie and chill out we have Netflix free trial some good stuff on there.

TallGirl

All change tenant wants to leave so have put everything on hold but still offered her the lower rent from April if she changes her mind. Too much to deal with right now to worry about selling.

Dg is struggling to clear her mums place and doesn't want me to help but she is getting help from her ex which is fine actually I feel ok about it.

Tired long day at work but catching up at least.