yet another sleepless night :o(

dancingfairy

Fab news about the council tax payment. Now I need to get cracking and get organsied as I have an interview later. Wish I was as motivated as you.

skintmam

good luck! let us know how you get on.

I've got a pile of application forms here to fill out - but I'm so busy with everything else haven't got around to doing them yet... my maternity leave ends begininning of july and really really don't want to go back to my old job, so best het my **** into gear!

dancingfairy

thanks. It was a bit of a strange interview. They asked me to say a little bit about myself, asked me what I knew about computers - strange since I have a computing degree and ECDL (which covers word,excel,powerpoint etc) and why I have been temping recently and that was it - apart from them spending 20 mins explaining about the job. Sounds a bit high up for me though. Good salary 17 -18k.Eeek. Anyway - another interview tomorrow. Another day, another interview. Ho hum.

skintmam

good luck for today as well!

woke up feeling sick this morning - I'm going to my 'old' house to see the tenant and to ask if he will deal with me directly, will be £50 a month better off if he agrees - just a thought? does he need to agree? can I just tell him that with effect from next month (i only have to give 1 months notice) he will be dealing direct with me? am worried that he'll say that he's happy to stay as he is, but surely it's my decision? oh I'm rubbish at stuff like this.. but £50 extra a month is not to be sniffed at.

got another lot of items on ebay last night, it's so time consumig and monotonous but needs must and all that, I just feel worn out with it all today. i really don't want to lose momentum but i find it such hard work at times...

oh well. must plough on ...

klane

Your house, your rules! You might need to check any issues in how you terminate your dealings with the agent - I don't know how that works.

It shouldn't in real effect change much for him - you'll need to work out getting his deposit money back from the estate agent (presuming they were holding it) and keeping that safe for him, and make sure you have a contract still with him (you can buy a basic rental contract pack from WHSmith for about a fiver if I remember right which you can fill in and both sign - do it, it's good for both of you!). Then his direct debit/rent cheque needs to come to you/your account, not theirs, and make sure he has your number in case he needs to reach you re any maintenance issue etc. Reassure him you're doing this because you don't really see the value add from the agent and not because you don't trust him/want to keep a closer eye on him! Doesn't hurt to also say you have no intention of suddently coming around all the time either, it'll basically be the same as it has been for him, but he'll deal direct with you instead.

Re his deposit money, DON'T spend it. If he decides to move out, you'll need to be able to pay it back fairly quickly, so if you have spent it and can't raise it again, you'll be in trouble. I would stick it into a high interest savings account / mini cash ISA of some sort - you can get ones around at the moment of 6.5% or more I think with a little looking around (use this site, and others like fool.co.uk and moneysupermarket.co.uk etc to look up some). Then you are getting free money (interest) off his deposit, but without any risk of losing his deposit. That's just my thoughts - I'm not pro, so maybe someone else will have a differing opinion..Normally, I'd say pay debts before saving, but as it's HIS money, not yours, I'd say protect it.

Verbatim

The law has changed around deposit money and there are several schemes (3 I think) whereby the tenants money is safeguarded. You can't just put it in your account. I can't remember the details but should be googleable. One is an insurance scheme and another I believe holds the money for you both. If the tenant has been there since before last April when the law changed it won't apply at present, but all tenancy agreements signed after April (6th?) last year come under this, even if it's an "old" tenant who's renewing. Your agent should tell you how the deposit is currently held.

dancingfairy

Just to let you know - the interview yesterday must have gone better than I thought as the agency phoned and said the company wanted me back for a second interview more into the fund management side of things- who knows I could end up being a trainee fund manager :eek: . Todays interview went really well - nice gentle job, lots of variety and really friendly informal company with opportunity for progression. Fingers crossed as it sounds really good - second interviews are being held so hoping I will get one. Hopefully I will get a job soon then I will have some money.

Skintmam - it feels like I have been plugging away,plugging away for ages and then everything starts to happen so just keep plugging away - you never know whats around the corner. You know you are doing the right things by taking action over the debts. Not sure how happy the agency will be though - they might claim that since they found the tenant you will be breaking the terms of the contract if you subsequently let to him yourself - would check the paperwork - you don't need letting agents giving you agro and threatening to sue and they are better than nothing and losing you tennant and having to find a new one who may or may not be any good etc.