09 July 2012

Money for Old Rope

Kay's been back with me for 4 days, as I helped her move back home on Thursday for the summer vacation. She got the news this morning that the new student house she moved into last week has already been burgled. The front door (which didn't have a proper door lock on it and about which Kay had complained to the agent when she moved in) was kicked in but fortunately the alarm scared them off and nothing was taken.  Kay rang the agent to see about getting a new "proper" lock fixed immediately and the agent didn't seem too fussed about it, claiming they were too busy to send someone out to do it, yet they are fussed enough to rake in £1800 every month for the six-room house. It's a scandal.

*****

Oh, and it would have been my 36th wedding anniversary today (10th) and two years since Greg's ashes were scattered.  A fine week it's turning out to be.

8 comments:

Dan the Mountain Man said...

I believe that I would be moving out unless they got the door fixed. No money coming in will get them to fix it quickly.

Dan the Mountain Man

Anonymous said...

I don't know if it is the same in the UK but in Australia you could take them to the tenancy tribunal and order them to have it fixed. You would succeed in the tribunal (i used to work there) over here since you've ALREADY had a break in. Is there something equivalent?

Nota Bene said...

They should organise it themselves and deduct it from the rent. Start bandying around the phrase "Leasehold Valuation Tribunal" and "Tenancy Deposit Scheme" and they may see some positive response.

Anniversaries good and bad....

AGuidingLife said...

oh the never ending curse of the lazy agency and the apathetic landlord.

Anniversaries make for strange days. I try to book 'activities' over the top of difficult ones so I'm too busy to notice them. I prefer not to remember. My mother on the other hand prefers to mark the occassion in some way. Difficult days.

Flowerpot said...

I'm sorry Addy - do hope your week improves.

Achelois said...

Well I am pleased to see you in my reader. I would get a locksmith out and tell them to bill the landlord. It seems students don't ever get their deposits back anyhow (can you tell I listen to Radio 4). Then when said landlord doesn't comply take him to the tribunal whatsit people anyhow. I am worried that if they were burglugalarised (sp) you know what I mean and god forbid they got in and they tried to claim on their insurances for all their laptops etc. (make sure Kay backsup all her work virtually if thats possible so it wouldn't be lost if the worst happened, not on a memory stick, in case they get that or a separate hard drive in case they got that too b&*&(£&*s) I am worried that the insurance wouldn't pay out because the front door lock wasn't secure) and anyhow if they change the locks the nasty landlord wouldn't get in anyhow. Perhaps Kay could contact the university's student rep for advice. Now that the little losers who tried to break in know its easy they will be back.
Vacation - I thought you had emigrated to the good old USA for a moment. Apart from this crappy week it must be fantastic to have Kay home even if it is for a while. No doubt soon she will be off to festival's and such, unless that is 'so last year' now! At least you won't worry as much this year if she does as you have been before having worn that t-shirt been there, done that, last year!

Well I am going to say Happy Anniversary for all the good years you did have. And send a gentle virtual hug for the sad memories that this anniversary week brings up.

Sending virtual love and hugs. Even though I have lost my blogging mojo. I love to see you in my reader and therefore always comment far too much.xx

Furtheron said...

Don't get me started on this topic... too late you have...

My son rented from an agent once who was frankly a joke. Similar issues with a rubbish lock, they wouldn't fit a new one after repeated requests. In the end I helped him and a flat mate do it. They knew as I went with them to the office and gave them spare keys saying we'd done it and could they inspect it etc.

Nothing.

He moves out. They withhold his deposit due to "vandalism". I rang and asked what for, the lock being changed! I said "Put that in writing, you'll hear from our solicitor" They did write - quickly - funny that. I gave all the email exchanges about the lock including the ones from me saying "we are doing this as you are failing to deliver against the terms of the agreement" and another where I confirmed in writing the delivery of keys and requesting them to inspect the work etc. to my solicitor he wrote a nice letter threatening them with a small claim in the court - they paid the deposit back inside 3 days. My son and his flat mates started a facebook campaign warning new students of this agent - he has now had 3 years with a brilliant agent I'd recommend to anyone, prompt, friendly, efficient etc. etc.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Lovely to have Kay back with you Addy, you will enjoy each other's company for a few weeks. Can hardly believe it is 2 years since Greg died, what a week of mixed emotions for you. A x