Moving forward and upwards

MovingForwards

Our DDs were just over £16 and just over £18 for gas at the last two flats, negligible really but I've always got the remortgage on my mind.
I'm aware my income isn't great and my outgoings are very low compared to the ONS figures; they raised a few eyebrows when applying for the mortgage I've got.

Also, if this meter packs up, it would all come out in the wash. 

I guess I'm trying a little too hard not to ever get in debt again. It's a risk due to my history and wanting to do the flat up; I've seen it too often on the DFW board the excitement of owning a home and using CCs / loans to fund it.

riotlady

I know what you mean, I think I’d rather pay the little bit extra each month and know that it’s resolved and there can’t be any surprises too. 

Sounds like the house is coming on great, though!

Irenadler

I can understand wanting to resolve it. Ok, in the meantime you can save up a bit more without that direct debit coming out. The last thing you want is the gas company suddenly finding they are supplying you and whacking a large bill on you. Your persistence has paid off by finally getting someone to look at it and acknowledge their lapse.

And really good forward planning photographing the meters so you have a reading the day that you moved in (I am taking it for granted you had a date/time stamp on the photo cos I know you are so on the ball), so they can't back-date any of the previous occupants bills on you either. Not that I think they would, but, it's better to be cautious with these big companies because they don't seem to like admitting they make mistakes. Hence the struggles you have had already! Makes you long for simpler times when all you had to do was drag the coal and wood in..... no money, no coal!

MovingForwards

Thank you RL and Ren.

Definitely no gas supplier, nor is the meter registered on the national database. That's why the guy came out yesterday. I did have a great laugh with him, especially when the questionnaire was being completed "do you have a swimming pool".

There's also something very odd going on with the electric / supplier / company. All four of us definitely have electric. Under our building number only three flats exist on the national database. One is allegedly my flat, but the meter number doesn't tally up with records. The MPN appears to be for someone else as that's registered to the building number, not an actual flat within in it (there's no standalone meter for the building).
- I've provided loads of information, evidence and broken down details to the company, just need someone to read what I have told them and not what they think I've written. Then they will see the problems and resolve them.

Letters from the alleged company make their way to my flat, only it's got next doors flat identification and my flat location identification on it eg A and Left. The name on the letters is someone who hasn't been registered on the ER for this building in years (not identified which flat). At some point that debt will be passed to a debt recovery company and a doorstep visit will take place, giving me another angle to use and get it sorted out.
- from my research, the national database records are wrong, the company needs to check all four flats / meters and update the MPNs, then I can get set up with the electric. 
- it's possible I'm sh1pp3rl3ss for this too.

For now I have to keep sending my complaints and escalate to the ombudsman.
Backb1ll1ng will also come into play the longer this takes.
- I'm budgeting £40pm for electric, again based on the previous two rentals and rounded up.

As this was a rental before I purchased it, any monies due would fall on the landlords shoulders to deal with and identify / prove each tenancy; it would make what I'm going through look easy 😂

I'm just so pleased I'm working from home. To try and do all of this in my spare time, wouldn't have seen me get this far.

Much too early trying to explain this!

MovingForwards

What a day. I didn't feel like an adventure but was offered a trip to Mr T instead, armed with loads of vouchers and a mental shopping list, that was done and Christmas is sorted, only need fresh veg.
- Treated myself to some PJ's 25% off and branded gloss.
- Picked a fantastic leg of lamb for Christmas dinner, some other meats and a selection of cheeses, all presents except aunty-in-law and various other things.
- With vouchers, sales, discounts saved £40; next year I will be back to getting it all sorted in advance!

This afternoon has been spent doing the lounge, all that's left to do:
- gloss door, 2 coats one side, 1 the other 
- top coat one skirting
- gloss one unit

- 2nd gloss coat on little and big unit

- fit draft excluder
- buy and fit door handle

- fit unit handles

This branded gloss is a lot better!
Unfortunately, TomBo piled everything by the third unit so I couldn't reach it to put the good gloss topcoat on.
- if I time it right, I may be able to get all the glossing finished in the next session, then I can do the draft excluder and handles the next time!

Ceiling looks so much better. There was a splodge which has now been covered over, most of the cracks are hidden; only one is just about noticeable as I know it's there.

Next project is the hall:
- special paint door, frame and glass frame 3x

- gloss door, frame and glass frame 2x

- paint walls and ceiling
- wash woodwork, if needs be gloss it.

Lounge and hall will be finished by the 18th 🤗 I can then enjoy my holiday ☺️

We are down to one near full tub of trade white, which should be more than enough to do the rest of the freshen up. 

Having roast beef and veg tonight, think we've earned it 😃

longway2go

Definitely sounds like you earned the roast, your doing amazing, it must look so much brighter now. 
You inspire and support me and that helps to push me on so thank you. Together we can help each other. 
Sounds like you did well on your Christmas shopping. Do you hsve t0pca3hback? 

longway2go

I forgot to say I am fully onboard with mindfulne33 

MovingForwards

Thanks LW2G the room is a lot brighter, looks more fitting for the age of the flat and I keep looking at the units. The walls / ceiling look fresher as I don't think they had been painted for quite a few years.

I enjoy coming up with themed replies on your posts and I'm on the edge of my sofa wondering which horse will win 😃 

It does feel like we are all bonding more with each day, gently nudging where needed and providing 'something' face to face friendships doesn't.

I don't do cashback sites, but do make good use of my loyalty cards / rewards and the offers they provide. In a way I'm a creature of habit, using the same shops, look for discount codes and don't do too badly from it. I think a lot before buying, usually 1 - 6 months, and make my money go quite far 🙈

savingholmes

You are doing so well. A world away from where you were. It's been lovely to watch your journey.

MovingForwards

Thank you SH, it feels like everything up to when I started over was someone else's life, even the two rentals feel like years ago now.

I'm enjoying this road and looking forward to where it takes me 😃 thank you for everything you've done!