Xactly Syd  Nobody ever got rich from making someone else richer 

I've never been in a situation where I've needed temp net access but I'm sure it will be fine. The bloke said it lasts a month, we only need it for a few days so should be fine but it's not the end of the world if it isn't  Nice to know people have used it and have had no probs, ta.

No problemo!

I used it when I was making the transition from Virgin to Sky, it's also handy to have at your disposal if ever your net connection goes down or you're on business trips..etc.

I bet you'll bloody hate it now

"Nobody ever got rich from making someone else richer...."

And nobody is ever gonna be rich as long as they are a mortgage payer,,,    Sorry to disappoint you folks, but mine is a social housing landlord and my rent is £76 a week.  So I am not making anyone rich, I am just living in a lovely 7 year old semi for a low rent... and it's a permanent tenancy.......with all the repairs and maintenance done, and I have no insurances for anything.  (other than home contents....) 

We have tons of surplus income, as the rent is so low compared to what our mortgage was, and we save all the money the insurances and repairs would cost as a 'homeowner...'  I see people around me (colleagues and a few family members) who are homeowners who barely have two pennies to scrape together and have SHEDLOADS of debt and who are paying £200 to £250 a week mortgage on top of all the repairs and insurance, and I just sit back and smile at my low rent and being in no debt...  

Like I said, I have experienced both sides, and nothing in the world would make me go back to being a homeowner.  Some people used to make snooty comments and imply how superior they were that they had their 'own home, yet it gets up their noses when they realise how cheap my rent is though, and they can barely afford stuff from poundland or primark, because of the amount of dosh their 'own' home is costing them...  Some of them used to look down their nose at me, but they don't so much anymore.....    They can't even say they own their own home really, because the bank owns it!  

It's a great idea. Backup net access really isn't to be sniffed at and it only cost 20 quid each. I'm not after super speed just a net connection for a few days.  I forgot all about dongles till slim mentioned it on here 

Happy new home xxx.....Something you may need:



Bloody Hell, seriously in my dreams....how the hell does anyone you get either of those?

Thanks Soops 

I suppose that is one way of looking at it Cupcake and if it works for you then that is fabulous.

It didn't work for me - it is all about control I suppose. For me, having my own ( albeit) mortgaged front door is very important. Maybe I will have to shop at Primark for a while, maybe I will have to struggle but when I am retired I will have my own house. That is an investment for the future,

I have an awful landlady and as I sit in this crumbling mess, I feel sorry for whoever comes in next.

I don't look down on anyone - my personal choice is to be a homeowner, It is important to me for a myriad of reasons. Does not make me better than anyone else though.

I have been one before - the marital home was sold and money divided 50/50 so I am aware of both sides as well.

Today's the day!! ! All the best!

I guess you are entitled to your own points and opinions Issy, and like me and my family, you have to do what was best for you.  I must say though that I definately wouldnt go back to buying now...but I guess if you had a dreadful landlady, then that is not good, and I can imagine that anyone who has experienced awful landlady/landlords would want to be a homeowner...  We used to rent in the late 80s, and the landlady was great, but we decided to buy because we got good well-paid jobs, and frankly, people looked down on us for renting and you were regarded as something of an 'under achiever' in life if you weren't a 'homeowner..'  I guess the 90s were a time when everyone felt like they had to be high-flyers: the smartest clothes, the sassiest cars, the best jobs, a good hold on the career ladder, and above all: their 'own' home.

Well it was OK at first, and the mortgage cost less than the rent and we were very proud to have our own little piece of England, and the security that came with it... but before long (maybe a year,) things started to accumulate rather rapidly..  we were told we had to get 36 conifers chopped down or trimmed by 6 feet, (which cost almost as much as chopping them all down!) or the house insurance wouldnt cover us, and that cost us several hundred... Then the flat roof on the garage needed repairing; several hundred, then the kitchen started springing leaks, and had several other issues (over a thousand to fix,) the bathroom needed replacing, (4 figure sum,) then the windows, (about 2 or 3 grand,) and then the central heating system.... (4 figure sum) and the boiler alone was 1.5K.)  It just went on and on over several years, and we were utterly gobsmacked at how much all the repairs cost us....  It ran into well over 20 grand over about 5 to 7 years....and we didn't have enough surplus income, so we ended up taking out loans, and I can honestly say that at least 5 or 6 people I know, experienced the same...

Although for every person that says they had the same experiece, there is someone who says 'oh WE have an uncle/dad/brother/whatever, who does all our house repairs and maintenance.....  Well for one thing: good for them!  If they are THAT lucky, and secondly, I don't know if I believe them anyway, and even if they do do it, they probably charge!  And then you have to question whether they have the correct insurance and are certified to do the work, (if it's electrics and plumbing and so on...)  because if not, it will invalidate the insurance.

My husband came out of work in 2003, and we had paid the unemployment insurance for 8 years, and they would not pay him, because he had some redundancy (only 4 grand mind you...) so they said we cannot apply for it for 6 months!  IMO they should have paid from the second he was finished from work.  So THAT was the biggest waste of money ever.. we cancelled the insurance as soon as he got another job.  And again, I know several people who have had the same experience with unemployment insurance...

Then we have had to pay for things that the insurance doesn't even cover of course...like things not covered under the gas contract and replacing seals on windows, retarmaccing the drive, replacing fences, and all sorts of things...

When people say you're 'lining a landlord's pocket' it baffles me, because what is the difference between that, and lining the bank's pockets?  You borrow an inordinate amount of money, and if it's say around 90 to 100 grand, (and often it's more...)  you probably pay double that back over the 20 to 25 years you borrow it... ... and it's often as much as - or more than renting......  so what's the difference?  And you're not giving the landlord 4 or 5 or 6 hundred a month or whatever just to 'line his pockets,' you're renting his property and living in it and using it as your home.. and in many cases, the landlord has a mortgage that they are paying, and they have to do all the repairs and pay all the insurances, so I am baffled as to why anyone thinks or says that.... it's no different to paying the bank money and then you still have to fork out for repairs yourself...   And although many think that buying brings security: well it does, until you can't pay the mortgage for whatever reason...

As for super's comments: £200 to £250 a week mortgage is not so rare these days... I have several pals who pay that, and frankly, it takes over half the entire salary with one of them!  And the £76 a week rent is fairly normal for social landlord... even some private ones aren't too bad: it depends what you have and where you live... My cousin actually rents privately, but rents through a property agent, and although she paid £200 initially for the fees, she is now protected by them and so is the landlord, and she pays about £105 a week for  a 3 bed house, with the repairs done, and  it's long term let, and she has been there 5 or 6 years so far...

Still, I am sorry to piss on your bonfire Issy: I am just posting a different slant and my experiences on buying and renting... and thanks for your constructive post, and not being rude and accusing my views of being 'twisted' just because the don't coincide with yours...!  . To be honest, I would probably have agreed with you and your points 20 years ago...    

I do genuinely wish you well,.  Many people have been homeowners for decades and have found it fine...  But I would never do it again, and just lately I have seen a number of internet and magazine features on why people are going back to renting.  I guess there are certain perks to buying: like it is probably more secure than private rent, and you aren't going to be asked to leave with three months notice (or less,) but then buying is only secure as long as you can pay for the mortgage and afford all the repairs...

As I said, I am just going on my own experience and that of a few people I know who now prefer to rent.. and I genuinely think that renting has more advantages than buying... but each to their own, and I do wish you all the luck in the world and hope you have a better time being a homeowner than we did! 

Best wishes Issy in your new home.  Hope you will be very happy there. 

Best wishes Issy.... can totally identify with the losing and finding yourself again thing.... Enjoy

Thanks Smarting

Cupcake - blimey I can see why you don't want to buy anymore.What a catalogue of disasters

I suppose I owned a house for 20 years and luckily had none of the problems you mentioned.

I would say that the so called stigma of renting is lessening now because lets face it so many people have no choice. 

This house that I am buying - well so far it seems fine. It has only just been rewired and a new boiler put in 2 years ago but I am well aware of the problems that can occur so I suppose it is a leap of faith

We all of us have to do in this life what is right for us, not other people and good for you for doing that.

Congratulations Issy.  Wishing you the very best of luck and every happiness in your new home

Thanks Kaffy -it has been a helluva journey but hopefully nearly at the end now,

Thanks Temps

Sale complete - I have a house. Picking up keys at one today.

Yayyyyyyyyy

Have a great afternoon moving. If your weather is anything like ours the rain has stopped and the sun is shining. An omen methinks

Brilliant, Issy. I'm really pleased for you.

Actually moving on Saturday but my daughters are coming tonight and tomorrow to help us move in so myself and eldest daughter will be in there tonight

Congrats, Issy, and here's to many years of happiness in your own home.

Soozy, that song is STILL one of my favorites (I particularly like the "two cats in the yard" reference ), and the perfect housewarming song.

Wonderful Issy. I`m so happy for you. 

I wish you luck and happiness in your new home. 

Cupcake I can see your point, but as a social housing tenant you are in a much better position than a private tenant.

I'm now a social housing tenant and it's as good as owning. Most social housing tenants have secured tenancies which is as secure as it gets, the rent is cheaper and the house is ours as long as we pay the rent and stick to the (basic) tenancy rules. Should the council or housing association want us to move out for any reason, they have to compensate financially and give us adequate time to do so.

For private tenants (which I have also been), the rent is significantly higher (approx £1000 per month for a 2 bed flat (unfurnished) depending on which part of London you live in), there are sometimes an army of rules such as no nails in the walls, no changing of flooring, etc. Also there is the fact that the landlord can ask you to leave within 2 or 3 months of your contract being up. A lot of people would love to own but because they do not meet the criteria for social housing, they are stuck in a rent trap of paying out each month and unable to save for a mortgage. Moving to a cheaper town is sometimes not an option as wages suffer.

Karma, just as I am referring to the worst sides of buying/having a mortgage; you're pointing out the worst side to private rent...  Where I come from - no way would a 2 bed flat be £1000 a month...more like £325 to £350, and probably £200 to £225 social housing rent..   (this is for  a small flat, not a house...)  And the few people I do know 'can' treat the house as their own as long as they look after it and can hang paintings and posters and stuff...  The only thing is that yes, you can be asked to leave with a few months notice, but that is the only downside IMO.  And let's face it, if you can't afford your mortgage if your circumstances change, then you have to leave your 'own' house anyway...

As I said, my friend rents a 3 bed house from a private landlord for £105 a week, and most go up to only about £140 a week... (or £600 a month,)  and that is for a 3 bed house... like I said, a 1 or 2 bed flat is half that in some cases ... And if you go through a property agent, they act as intermediary, and the repairs are done when needed, just as they are when you rent from a social landlord...  It is strongly advisable to use one of them as they protect you and the landlord; because remember, there are not only dodgy and unscrupulous landlords, but also terrble and dodgy tenants who cause 1000s of pounds worth of damage and leave with months of rent arrears.....People forget that side of the coin sometimes, when referring to private rents... the private landlords have a lot to put up with...I would wager much more than tenants,,,

It is in the best interests of the landlord to do it too, to keep their house in good order too (as well as tenants using one...)  Moreover, we rented privately for 2 years, before getting the social landlord home and the landlord was fine...and it was a 2 bed house for £400 a month.  I must admit, if that is what London homes are; £1000 for a 2 bed flat, then that is ridiculous rent for a small flat....no wonder most folk who work there live outside London...

Karma you are spot on. I am renting privately and the landlady is a nightmare, I have now been a week without a bathroom light and as there is no natural light in there it is pitch black

I had to ask her where the gas safety certificate was when I first moved in and she did not have a clue what I was talking about.

The electrical wiring is dodgy. The boiler is old and is making some funny noises. The plumbing is terrible. 

She tried to sell it at an over inflated cost and did not get one single buyer, She tried another estate agent who told her it was over priced and he would not put it on his books until she either lowered the price or did the urgent work that needed doing.

The house has dry rot...

I could go on but in the end it was a means to an end for me. I was lucky cos I could buy,

Another young couple - friends of friends of hers have now taken the tenancy and I feel really sorry for them.

She won't go through a letting agency which of course is the best way to do it because she would have to let them have 10% of the rent.

She is a nice enough person - just completely clueless about her responsibilities...

I am sorry you got unlucky Issy, and I do know of a colleague of my husband who has a ropey landlord..but she got him form the local free rag and didn't go through an agent or anything.  As I said, going through an agent is advisable for tenant 'and' landlord...  Once again, good luck with your new home. 

I was a fool cos I went through a letting agency but the cottage was let only.If I had known then what I know now..

But sooner or later she will get caught out and she could end up in court - especially over the lack of gas safety cert.

May you do all the above in your new home, Issy

And here's something to help with the unpacking....

Oooo!

*volunteers to help with the unpacking*

LOL Lori 

All the best in your new home Issy 

Blimey, I need to move to where ever you live - I'm getting absolutely clobbered with rent

Thanks again everyone - the fun of the move starts Saturday - for now it is lovely just to sit and hope that someone does not get too carried away with sorting out the TV

i really hope you're enjoying every minute of the move. I think it's lovely that you're moving into a new life and it's all good.

GOOD LUCK!

Boys and their toys eh? 

I was just about to post that

Are you in my head?     *Worries* 

Are you in my head?     *Worries* 

I could have fun in there

velvet's got a 96 inch tellybox (allegedly)