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

TallGirl

Yesterday was super productive I got so much done I feel like making a list:

Got DG to her hair appointment on time
Collected keys with estate agent and there is plenty so dont need any more cut slight downside I can not unlock the garage good think the lock migth have been changed need to email tenant
Spent £60 in Lidl on house stuff incl soil, wellingtons and violas for all the pots.
Fitted two new front tyres for call as advised on MOT £190

House is in excellent condition just a little paint job in the en-suite wetroom as the ceiling is peeling so looks messy.
Outside the garden needs weeding and possibly get some more stones or bark to cover the soil. It's really infested with bindweed so tenant put a membrane down but it's growing through that in places that's how bad it is. The drive needs pressure washing I've got mine back but I also think the patio needs a good clean too. The deck needs painting too but it's really small.

DGs uncle can help with all of this and I can pay him for it so I'll get materials today and he can do it. I need three big plants for some big pots I've got as there are now so few plants in the garden. Worth spending on as I can take them with me hopefully or they can go to my friend who can look after them until I move

Today is going to be super busy IFA at 11 but garden centre first then hair cut and colour 12.45 DG saved £100 on London prices yesterday I should save about the same maybe a little less. After hair cut meeting Dg and her aunt at the house before the estate agent turns up at 5pm to value the house etc. It won't be quite ready to go on the market until the outside is cleaned up I don't want it looking like an unloved rental as it isn't.

Met someone I know through work yesterday really nice to see her and a good contact for when we are able to start taking on cases down here. Also handy for DG as consultant. She did hear back from the one company she approached they have passed it to someone else but at least it's a response.

TallGirl

What a busy weekend got so much done but also time to chill but now and totally dead and dg has gone out so time to relax.

IFA was good he's going to move money into my ISA ASAP and then leave everything else invested but take a more cautious approach. He says I'm in an enviable position I would retire at 65 with £16k a year pension if I retire at 65. That isn't going to happen it's more likely to be 60 so he'll change that.

Got my hair sorted saved £80 well worth it and looks like. Then tidy up of house but joy tiny amount Friday as estate agent came. He showed me a load of similar houses that sold recently so we have settled for £37995 but I'm happy to drop below this. He's doing the floor plan and I'm getting it all ready to be photographed week Monday. Friday we took DGs aunt out but then quiet time in the evening. Saturday I went and did more work at house garden needed a lot got pots planted up and things started to take shape. We're meant to play golf but no time. Saw friend for drinks and sinner then comedy show which was excellent value for £10 each. Also great to see her even if I felt crap this morning. Got bus to venue and Uber back cheap evening in all as we ate at Spoons.

Today I went over at 9.15 with DGs uncle we agreed what he is doing starting tomorrow and met guy who'll clean the patio and fix the drive it's block paving. He was amazing spotted so many little things that needs doing or they will flag in survey. Even better he'll fix a load of them which saves me and his quote was only £500 really good value for money and it will be done Saturday so ready to take the photos. I'm so lucky to have found him and he can do it so quickly he normally does roofs but he enjoys this sort of work as well. Does loads for estate agents when people sell pus his dad is a surveyor so I seems to know his stuff.

DGs uncle will sort a load out too not sure how much it will cost but he'll go weekly sort the lawn out and keep an eye on things.

All very exciting just got back to life on the 5th floor with no lift and our rent is going up 10% still cheap but another £50 which is mean I think with no lift.

TallGirl

Spending mode here but all good my mum is over in 2 weeks time so far booked School of Rock for Easter Sunday and also afternoon tea at the National Portrait Gallery £38 each with Champagne cocktail super view too better than some stuffy hotel I think.

Going to Harrods too and obviously whatever she wants to do. Can't wait will be so good to have her here not been over for 3 years.

I'm so tired DG is still out she's drunk not sure how she can do two days in a row. Bootcamp will be good for her and I get a weekend to study and a quiet week but first she's got 4 days work left. Onwards and upwards.

TallGirl

Lots of updates as it's all go with the house. DGs uncle has been over today replaced the tatty looking drainage pipe out the back and changed all the lightbulbs that was gone. He's done a good job checking them all and I'm getting a new front light tomorrow. He's got the deck ready to paint and will also fix the fence so that's good. I'm paying him to do the work and then £30 a week to keep the garden tidy that's ok with me and a weight off my mind.

Work was so tediously and I messed something up but it got fixed as well in the end. Early start tomorrow so best get ready for bed

TallGirl

House is progressing further pictures are being done Tuesday then I get to approve the final version before I goes on the market. I'm still thinking of dropping it £5k before it goes out but it's so hard. Most seem to drop after a few weeks as it brings it back up on Rightmove.

Work was difficult today my team is really stretched and I don't feel we have the capacity to deliver as we should and need to cut back on some stuff we were doing but can't any more, my CEO is really starting to get to me she's micro managing everything and can't take criticism so lashes out challenge her. I've given up challenging her now and she's making decisions on her own on all the operational side which affects everyone so it's a pain. Well 6 months that's it I can survive.

Dg left her job today she's got two applications in for consultant y and one that keep saying they will get back to her. They know her so I'm hopefully but they are not the greatest in terms of reputation. She'll come and volunteer with me when she gets back from bootcamp so that will be good.

She's leaving for bootcamp tomorrow so a week away. I've got things lined up plus I need to study no golf for me as she'll have the car,

We've booked a week off in May to go to Plymouth and spread her mums ashes but also to meet my good friend and have some fun. Will be nice to have a bit of time off something to look forward to.

Tahlullah

Hi TG. Just taken time to catch up on your diary. So much has happened to you and I can only hope that you are happy with everything going forward.

I will keep reading - I had some time out. Needed it! Fingers crossed with the house, DG's recovery, our job and sorry about your cat. The plans for your Mum's visit sound great and well thought out.

Tx

TallGirl

Thanks for popping in Tahlullah much appreciated yes let's hope its onwards and upwards with our jobs it is a bit of a slog right now.

Been an odd weekend Friday after work I went out with the team had 6 pints and no dinner got so so drunk I only just made it home. Been ill several times yesterday and today I'm still crap and in bed. So much for studying. Dg had a wobble at bootcamp this morning wanted to come home but is now staying a bit longer. She's struggling it would have been her mums birthday yesterday so that was hard obviously.

The house is progressing fence is repaired and indoors in painted and all lightbulbs replaced. The faded outdoor light has been replaced and just had a call to say the roof tiles are fixed and he's put the treatment on the drive and the patio. They need to be repaired still but that will be next week at least for now it will be all good enough for photos. DGs uncle will go over tomorrow and cut the grass and clean the greenhouse ready for photos Tuesday and then it's going live. Will be interesting to see what the interest is like there isn't anything else for sale like it and the bigger ones on that estate are going quickly.

I really hope I feel better soon so I can do some studying this is really not helpful and it can't be still from Friday's excess lol.

TallGirl

Didn't run this morning feel crap got a cold not happy and didn't sleep properly not good combo. Same for dg she sounded better last night but this morning she didn't sleep and now it's all bad again. She's struggling but still there at bootcamp at least.

House is finished ready for pictures so that is great I'm so lucky in the people who're helping me. Wish I could see it but the estate agent is taking the pictures today so won't be long. Just hope the lawn looks better I fed it and put weed killer down there was so many weeds. A couple came and asked him if it was for sale he thinks it's for their daughter which is good so I'm keeping it at the higher price to start with. I will drop it if no interest as I don't want it empty for months and I need to start paying council tax in 6 months.

Had a nice chat with a previous volunteer yesterday a bit about the ceo she had some interesting insights indeed which where helpful. I just have to admit I can't change things and not really make a difference overall. It's so frustrating but she won't let me. Yesterday I nearly went mad when she now wants to deal with my second funder. Absolutely no need for her to be involved but fair enough she could be there to set it up. But no she's arrange a meeting without running it past me even inviting me when I'm the one doing the bloody reporting, how stupid but I've got 6 months left so do I care anymore. Probably not.

Moneywise not great lots of lattes but I've won a few free coffees at Nero with their latest promotion. Also need to pay for house think it's about £1000 I owe now. Can't wait for it to launch now see if there is interest. Seen another nice one come on the market quite small and expensive so see how quick that goes.

Tahlullah

Nothing worse than Managers who micromanage, undermine and then take all the glory. I agree, you shouldn't be bothered. If you only have 6 months left, then you should be concentrating your energies into other areas, and fighting a losing battle with a CEO is not one of those areas. After all, as the CEO, it is her domain. She can do what she wants.

However, to put a bit of perspective on what you say is happening - if you are leaving n 6 months, she needs to understand what you are doing and build the relationship with your Commissioners before you leave. She is potentially trying to smooth the transition from you to her whilst you are still in position. Plus, if you make any changes now, it could be that it would be harder for someone else to pick up and help to imbed once you have gone, so she doesn't want to take on that level of change without you in place to ensure it is implemented fully.

That's just me trying to see the alternative side to this. No excuse for not inviting you to the meeting though!

I get free coffee at Nero with O2 but there isn't one local so that's a shame. I do feel they burn the beans though so no loss.

Hope you and DG feel better soon. Nearly Easter holidays!

TallGirl

Thanks really appreciate that perspective that is spot on if the contract wasn’t just final extension and that’s it but never mind I need to focus on what I need going forward. Thanks for letting me moan.

Dg has left bootcamp her knee gave out and her close friend tried to kill her self it got too much really. I’m sad but she’s done well staying that long. Not spoken to her yet.

No news about house so hopefully particulars being prepared pretty much everything I’ve earmarked on Rightmove has gone within 6 weeks so shows it’s moving.

Tired and fed up but best get back to work taking 10 min out right now much needed.