Tightening the belts for unpaid leave

[Deleted User]

Thanks both.  Agent asked question and the purchaser has said they will talk to their lawyers but think they will require the retrospective consent and building control stuff.  Spoke to the trainee dealing and she said that she thinks we might just be able to purchase indemnity insurance (which I'd be happy to pay for) but needs to speak to the partner concerned.  Also having real trouble actually getting them to do anything quickly as they also need to serve my tenant notice.  It's so worrying and stressful all the time!!  No houses come on market we like yet again.  It's just depressing.

Did weekly shop today - £98 and still need a couple more things (but hopefully not more than £10-12) which will have to get tomorrow as they didn't have them.  That included "extras" like 2 big bottles of handwash, soap, loo roll and also (I'm ashamed to say) a couple of nice cheeses and some chocolate treats and puddings.  On day 8 of no booze and can't do no booze plus healthy eating, it's really one or the other.  Also included some things for DC1 like a massive pack of fishfingers which will last him ages, toddler snacks, toddler crisps (on offer so stocked up as will use them) and pre-made formula for DC2 for when out and about - so that's really where it added up.  Other stuff I managed to get relatively cheap as the beef, sausages and cheese we always get were on offer.  So I don't think it was too bad overall for a family of four with treats and some stuff which will last for ages.

Part of the shop was a thai box from M&S for me and DH tonight - a friday night treat - it's only a tenner and is much nicer (and cheaper) than a take away.

I did again remind DH this morning generally how much we will have to spend once I am no longer getting paid to which his answer was "yes but we have x pounds in the bank so I'm not worried".  I made the point I didn't want to dip into those savings apart from for emergencies as those are for the house purchase!

Tomorrow will be another day of leafleting houses we like the look of, as well as seeing the place we've found to rent from end March to see if it definitely works.  

savingholmes

It's difficult when partners are not fully on board - or at least not proactively pulling in the same direction. Hugs. House/Flat selling is difficult at the best of times and there are a lot of extra pressures currently. Best of luck with it all.

Blackcats

Sorry it's so stressful.  Can you get an indemnity policy to cover?  Ot be upfront and say that you will reduce by £x in full and final acknowledgement of this historic issue?  I agree that estate agents are working for YOU!  Surely they would have experience of similar situations?  

[Deleted User]

Thanks both - looking at indemnity policy first as they are already getting a massively good deal on the property.  It was marketed lower than I think it's worth because it does need a lot of work and they made a full asking price offer (they are a savvy investment company so know they are getting a bargain).

Slept a it better last night because am just trying to tell myself, if it does fall through, it's not the end of the world.  And I think I won't give my tenant notice until we've bottomed out this issue.

[Deleted User]

Place to rent doesn't really work as it has so many steps that I will struggle when on my own with the 2DC.  Plus it's furnished, and although there is potentially room to store stuff between all of the rooms, getting it in and out with all those steps (even if we book movers) will be super expensive and such a hassle/hard work.  It is also not that cheap plus utilities and potentially some storage costs if we can't get everything through the doorway/up the stairs is just making us think twice.  We have until start Feb to confirm if we want it so in the interim we will get in contact with various other places to see if we can find anything less hassle/cheaper.  There is one I've found which is £105 a month cheaper and also includes all utilities bar a tumble dryer for which there is a meter so we would be saving £105 plus £34.66 (water), £55 (electric), £80 (gas), £35.99 (phone/broadband)  - so saving of £310.65 but would have to put ALL stuff in storage and petrol would be more as further away so would likely cancel it out or actually be more expensive but probably less hassle.  Difficult to know what to do to be honest.

And it might not even be an issue - if we find something in the next few weeks, as long as there is no chain then we should be able to complete end March or if not soon after and then we'd just put the stuff in storage and take a very short term let whilst we completed.  Gah, I hate lack of certainty!

Been another spendy weekend - 2 pairs of shoes for DC1 but I really do believe good shoes when they are little and their feet are growing are very important, plus some more jeans/joggers for him and his vitamins etc.  Re the clothes, DC2 will use them so not so bad to have to spend on those as they will get more than their fair share of wear.  Possibly the same re the shoes as long as DC2 ends up being a similar size at some point.  If not, shoes might be something we can sell on if in decent condition.  Am still within budget for the month with 9 days to go until payday and 1 big food shop left.  Hoping that other than that, we don't have to pay out for anything else this month and then might be able to cover my half of the "missing"money from the credit card bill account.

Had to pay the lawyers some money on account so put it on credit card as we get points and then transferred across from holiday account into credit card bill account so it's sitting there ready to be paid off when required.  Am keeping a note of what I "owe" my holiday account from sale proceeds but if it doesn't go through then though it matters in terms of it being "lost" money, it is very unlikely (I think) we will get away in 2021 so it's not as if it will be needed for a holiday this year and once I'm back at work in September we are fine cash wise.

savingholmes

Sounds like you have things in hand even if things are harder than you'd hoped.

[Deleted User]

NSD yesterday and should be another today.  We are having sausage pasta for tea from stores.  All very very boring.  

Solicitors have finally sent papers to the purchaser's solicitors but, despite my instructions, have not tackled the issue head on and instead are waiting for them to come back with enquiries!  You honestly couldn't write it.  Am just hoping this will all go through smoothly.

In other news, we may have found a house here!  It's a repossession job so will depend on lots of things but we are hoping to be first through the door and as long as it's in ok condition and not a ridiculous price we will make a full asking price offer on condition it is taken off the market.  We will then get a surveyor we know to visit and see if we are likely to get permission to do what we want to it and that the value is vaguely ok, and will then apply for finance (we have until end March to port our old mortgage (and re-coup the early repayment fee from our old house!) but will actually likely need to borrow more for this property so might be cheaper in long run to just take out a new mortgage for the new amount.  Gah, can't settle as really really want to secure this one!!!

savingholmes

Great you have found somewhere

[Deleted User]

Solicitors explained why they are not raising queries which I now totally understand.  So am now happy with what they are doing and feel confident in them (amazing the difference when the partner with overall supervision talks you through it).  So I can park that for now.

We have sent an email to the bank re the repossession property setting out our circs and that basically, subject to finance and survey, we can complete by end March.  Not heard anything yet - just hoping they come back with some positive news.

Should be a NSD today other than milk.  We are having fajitas for dinner from stores and I've started on the shopping list for friday (to cover us until following thursday).  We are going to try to have veggie meals 3 x days next week in the hope of being a bit healthier.

astrocytic_kitten

Fingers crossed for the repossession property, you’re due some good luck 🤞