Got the bug again

Just when I thought it was safe to come out of the water, I was driving down the motorway the other day and realised that I'd caught the property bug again. Not that I'm mad enough to do it right now (not that I have the money too), but I think in a couple of years time when everything has calmed down with the economy etc, I might seriously have to think about it.

Better not tell hubby that...he already hates the idea of one property, let alone two! :)

It's not my house

Chatting to hubby the other night, he pointed out something that made me think. He said that it wasn't really my house; it was my sister's home as she was the one living there. So, when we next went up to Sheffield to visit her, I should recognise that this was the case. I agreed with him and of course he's right - while privately thinking "no, it's my house".

And I think there you have the case for why you shouldn't rent to friends or relatives. It's very difficult to get your head around the fact that while it's your house and you own it - it's not your home because you don't live there. Mmm, I think I'll come back to this one...

Sister phoned!

I'm not sure how good it is that my heart leaps when my sister calls now. The first thing I said to her is "Is this a social call or has something else falling off?" She laughed and said that it was a social call. She did want to talk about the gas bill though and wanted to know whether she had to stick with British Gas or could move to someone else. Sisterly advice was required, rather than landlord territory which was very nice!

Shower installed

Oops - just called my sister to check everything was ok with shower - it was and is now working thank goodness. Problem was that the shower turned out to be a newer version of the one that was already there and a bit of a nightmare to install, with plumber going into the loft and everything. He complained that he should have charged more than £45, but stuck to it because he agreed to.

So, problem number 32 sorted out - and then my sister tells me that she opened the kitchen blind this morning, which promptly fell off. I've banned her from touching anything in the property now! Luckily my dad can fix that one because it's only a couple of screws needed.

My sister also suggested that we should use the plumber to tile the bathroom too as my dad doesn't like or really want to do it. I argued that yes, he may be able to do it, but it would cost money, whereas my dad is free. She said it actually might be a pain to tile because of all the bits and pieces underneath the shower and maybe I should wait until I got the boiler done - or better still installed a new bathroom, because it would be a good selling point. I think she lives in cloud cuckoo land sometimes...

Shower arrived

Finally, the shower has arrived. Or should I say that finally my sister has gone to pick it up from the post office where it has been for the last week. I called a plumber today too - doing the deadly sin of using the Yellow Pages. The first one I called wanted to know if I had a RCD? function on the Electricity Board. I said I wasn't sure. He gave me all the talk about it was a legal requirement etc and if I didn't have one it would cost £200 to do that and instal a shower. I don't think so. On to the next one on the list.

The next one which promised low charges (great) told me they didn't have a plumber in that part of Sheffield so couldn't do it.

The third one, was a really nice guy called Paul and told me he could instal a like-for-like shower for £45. And he could do it on Tuesday. Fantastic. He was booked.

Shower hasn't arrived

Well no calls from my sister saying the shower has arrived, so I chase the supplier who tells me that they tried to deliver it and took it back to the post office because no-one was in. Promptly call my sister who tells me that it actually has arrived, but they just haven't picked it up yet.

Tenants!

Boiler fixed!

The plumber has come back today and fixed the boiler. I'm thanking my lucky stars that it only cost me £50 to fix the boiler and another £60 to get a gas certificate. At least that's one legal responsibility done and out of the way.

But - now the shower's broken down too. It was working fine when we left on Sunday, but apparently they can't get any hot water now. The plumber had a look at it while he was there and said the thermostat had gone and it would be cheaper to buy a new one than repair it.

Off I go to Ebay and find one for £45 (it's amazing how these small amounts add up). Ordered and sent within 5 minutes or so. Looks like my sister will be having baths instead of showers for a few days.

Boiler leaking Carbon Monoxide

What I night! Firstly I receive a phonecall from my sister at about 10 a night telling me that the plumber came round to check the boiler and issue a gas certificate and found out that although we thought the boiler was about 15 years old, it's actually closer to 25 years old and to top it all off is leaking carbon monoxide.

Apparently it can be fixed and just needs a part which will be fitted tomorrow, but led to me and husband panicking about what I had done buying this house. I'd always intended to get a new boiler at some point in the future, but not as soon as my sister moved in. Looks like this has gone to the top of my priority list and now saving £1,500 looks like the way forward.

Me and hubby had a huge row about this issue as he feels I did not think or budget for issues like this going wrong and he's absolutely right, I didn't. Lesson learned if I decide to do this again in the future.

Leaking shower

Panic phonecall from my sister at just gone 8am - the shower is gushing water and won't stop. We tell her to turn off the water and then phone her back 10 minutes later when she tells us they will turn off the water as soon as her boyfriend has had a wash. Helpful!

Rush over to property to find out that it is gushing water. Hubby investigates to find that at some point last owner had obviously tried to fix and not tightened a washer enough. We tightened it and problem was solved. Shower is now working successfully. Hurrah for Hubby.

Not sure I'm enjoying being a landlord as much this morning though...

Moving in day

Official moving in day for my sister and boyfriend. Was expecting to have to help lots, but by the time we arrived, they'd done most of it already. All that was left for me to do was walk around the house with a dictaphone doing the inventory.

Later in the afternoon once things were starting to get sorted, I could smell gas in the house. I asked whether anyone else could smell it too and my sister tells me they tried to get the gas fire working on Thursday night and could really smell gas, so shut it off.

Kept being able to smell it though, so eventually called the gas board who were round within the hour and detected a leak from the gas fire. Fixed and sorted. I sit there smug thinking oh problems like that are easy to sort out - I'm going to enjoy being a landlord. Hmm. We will soon find out won't we?