The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

I had a terrible night's sleep 😴 so l finally got up at 5.30am.

But on the plus side it did mean ive managed to get a free cafe nerro drink from Octopus rewards. Left early to go to work and brought petrol from Costco…no queue. It's not often l take my physical purse l use my phone but you need an actual card to pay. Anyway, discovered £10 cash in my purse a nice surprise.

Got to work and discovered the Internet is down 😱 l feel like today is going to be a loooong one.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

I'm like a bus you wait ages for a post and then 3 come along at once 🤣.

Anyway, my day improved, the internet was switched back on and l got a fair amount done. I got home and while CK3 cooked dinner l listed a handful of items on Vinted. I've had quite a lot of interest in one item in particular so hopeful for a sale in the next few days. Sadly, l also spent another £20 on Vinted on two coats for the kids, not needed until winter but then they will be much more expensive then a tenner including fees each.

The real news is that CK3 got paid early and so paid us early another £430 knocked of the mortgage new balance, £7145✨ . I can almost touch the £6000's

beanielou

Nearly into the £6’s. 🎉

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

The last 24 hours has been up and then rapidly down.

I sold an item on Vinted for £40 🎉and finally received the rental service charge invoice I've been waiting for since March. We owe £331.03 and have a current balance of £395.75 in our account to pay for it. I thought great l can OP the difference.

Then… l received an unexpected bill for £55.52 never mind l thought, nothing lost or gained. But l have just put the phone down to the estate agents the front door lock has broken apparently so they are sending out a locksmith I don't know the cost yet but l imagine it will be £100's 😒.

Rang Mr CK to tell him the bad news and he responded with his own. A piece of equipment he uses for work has just broken so he needs to source a replacement asap without it he cant work 🙈. The cost is likely to be £100's as well.

Every time something like this happens l think, l cant wait to get rid of this mortgage. I hope the final costs don't force the end date back.

beanielou

It never rains but it pours.

carboot_karaoke

So true @beanielou.

I called the estate agents for an update, they said the problem had been resolved but they didn't have the invoice yet. Meanwhile, Mr CK drove across town to try and sort out his issue.But when he got there the specialist was tied up on another job. After several hours waiting he decided to order the part and try and repair it himself. Time will tell if he has saved £100's or wasted £105 on the part plus time and petrol. Only to have to return next week.

In more positive news l sold another item on Vinted £12 to add to the kids pot.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

I'm shattered after a day spent in the kitchen we have friends coming for dinner tomorrow so l prepped 5kg of chicken legs, currently marinating in the fridge. Then de-skinned and de-boned another 2kg l seasoned half, and put in the freezer to use in the week, the other half became tonight's Thai green curry. Finally l made an apple crumble with some help from little CK.

Before l got busy in the kitchen l listed some more items on vinted and sold another 3 items straight away for £48.10. I've wrapped up the parcels but don't have the energy to go to multiple places to post. l have since disabled some of the postage options to make things easier in future.

Have a good evening.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

My fears have been realised the tenants have given us notice to leave, due to the neighbour 😔.

I'm gutted, although its not unexpected. Legally they need to give us 2 months taking us till the end of August, but they would prefer to leave after a month so the agents have asked if we would allow them to go sooner.

They said they can get the property back on the market and hopefully let within a short time.

I don't know…l feel like the nuisance neighbour might be a recurring problem although l am led to believe that they are working on getting them moved out.

As l see it the options available are;

1. Give 1 months notice and try to get the property re-let
2. Stick with the 2 months notice received and try to get the property re-let (Maybe the other tenant might be leaving by then)
3. Give 1 or 2 months notice and put the property up for sale

Thoughts are welcomed

beanielou

Not so good. No idea what to suggest.

carboot_karaoke

Thank you @beanielou

Well, l have got over the initial disappointment and panic.

I had a bit if a fretful night but after a chat with Mr CK we decided to offer the tenants 5 weeks notice, basically taking us up to 31st July. I emailed the agents but haven't heard back yet.

This means one final months full rent although the locksmiths bill £118.80 will be deducted. I am going to keep the balance in our rent account to cover the utilities and remedial work. I'm not sure how long it will be empty but we do have a rental EF with £2.5k if it takes ages.

When we brought the property it was always intended for the "long haul" so l think l will have to toughen up to the disappointments. The return of over 10% yield on a nearly paid for investment is hard to beat. Also, the fact Mr CK and l have very little in private pensions means that the rental income is crucial to trying to increase our retirement fund.

As for our mortgage free ambitions… they have suffered a setback but not a complete disaster. It might take another couple of months but we will get there.