Sorry, sorry, sorry. I haven't finished the Saga of the Old House. There's more to tell...
I know. Downtown Abbey might run to fewer episodes yet.
To recap. The Old House had flooded as a result of burst pipes. Pipes that burst after I sold it (remember the mantra!). This is a house that no longer has ceilings or floors in the bedrooms. Or carpets or flooring on the ground floors for that matter.
I had sold it.
But there was one problem; I had left a £1,000 deposit with the builders to cover any snags they might find after they took over the property.
And I knew that there would be snags. Even the most euphemistic of estate agents would have said the old house was quirky. These quirks included a bathroom shower so pathetic you had to dance in it to get wet. Half the windows didn't open; and a couple didn't close properly either. We were missing skirting boards in the hall way, and the shower in the en suite periodically stopped working until you put the shower head on the floor, turned off and turned on the shower.
Oh yes, and the gas fire in the living room had been condemned on an earlier gas inspection. The inspector had had to remove the connection between gas mains and my gas fire.
Mine was the only house in Scotland with a decorative fire. Bless.
I didn't expect the full £1,000 back. I was expecting some deductions for the dog damage to the windowsills, or the loose flooring upstairs, or the leaking radiator, or the hole in the cupboard door in the boy's bedroom.
But my new house has five bedrooms, and these bedrooms need curtains.
And the time was up for them to confirm deductions or return my deposit. Needs must. I phoned the property developer's office. I cleared my throat. And I asked when they might be able to finish testing everything for snags.
Seeing's how everything downstairs is covered in soggy plaster and wood, and most stuff upstairs will be unreachable until they build floors, this was a wee bit of a disingenuous question.
But the lady at the property company agreed that the flood wasn't a snag.
She said she'd get back to me.
And two days before Christmas I got my deposit returned in full.
No. I did check. The cheque was made out to me.
They haven't found any snags....
I know. Downtown Abbey might run to fewer episodes yet.
To recap. The Old House had flooded as a result of burst pipes. Pipes that burst after I sold it (remember the mantra!). This is a house that no longer has ceilings or floors in the bedrooms. Or carpets or flooring on the ground floors for that matter.
I had sold it.
But there was one problem; I had left a £1,000 deposit with the builders to cover any snags they might find after they took over the property.
And I knew that there would be snags. Even the most euphemistic of estate agents would have said the old house was quirky. These quirks included a bathroom shower so pathetic you had to dance in it to get wet. Half the windows didn't open; and a couple didn't close properly either. We were missing skirting boards in the hall way, and the shower in the en suite periodically stopped working until you put the shower head on the floor, turned off and turned on the shower.
Oh yes, and the gas fire in the living room had been condemned on an earlier gas inspection. The inspector had had to remove the connection between gas mains and my gas fire.
Mine was the only house in Scotland with a decorative fire. Bless.
I didn't expect the full £1,000 back. I was expecting some deductions for the dog damage to the windowsills, or the loose flooring upstairs, or the leaking radiator, or the hole in the cupboard door in the boy's bedroom.
But my new house has five bedrooms, and these bedrooms need curtains.
And the time was up for them to confirm deductions or return my deposit. Needs must. I phoned the property developer's office. I cleared my throat. And I asked when they might be able to finish testing everything for snags.
Seeing's how everything downstairs is covered in soggy plaster and wood, and most stuff upstairs will be unreachable until they build floors, this was a wee bit of a disingenuous question.
But the lady at the property company agreed that the flood wasn't a snag.
She said she'd get back to me.
And two days before Christmas I got my deposit returned in full.
No. I did check. The cheque was made out to me.
They haven't found any snags....
6 January 2013 at 18:38
Let me just make a note of this builder...
Sx
6 January 2013 at 18:44
Well, they'll have taken the pre-existing defects into the mix, and the flood, as you say, is hors de combat. Nevertheless, super result. Happy New Curtains!
6 January 2013 at 18:44
Well, they'll have taken the pre-existing defects into the mix, and the flood, as you say, is hors de combat. Nevertheless, super result. Happy New Curtains!
6 January 2013 at 18:59
Have just had a read of the previous posts to find out about your floods. Marvellous you got your full deposit back. Whoo hoo!
We are in the midst of bathroom fitters at the moment. They have just demolished one shower to find it's been leaking for god knows how long - all the wood behind it is sodden!
6 January 2013 at 19:27
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! now tell me you've already cashed the cheque and bought curtains, sugar! ;~) xoxoxo
6 January 2013 at 19:37
Scarlet - Because you're thinking of investing in this House of Doom???
Tim - I think the only snag that can't be put down to the flood is the gas fire with no knobs on...
Trish - Funnily enough there was concern in my survey about damp above the kitchen ceiling. I had to get it re-surveyed
Ah them were the days....when the house had a kitchen ceiling.
Savannah - That cheque was cashed within two hours of receipt! One pair of curtains bought already.
6 January 2013 at 20:25
wow - brilliant! Now spend it on something decadent : )
6 January 2013 at 20:29
Zig - Bwahahahah spent already on my fifth bedroom!! You know... the one I holiday in on alternate weekends....
6 January 2013 at 20:30
Zig - BTW blogger isn't letting me look at your latest blog page. I have no idea why not!
6 January 2013 at 20:46
That's very impressive, and brilliant news. You can buy whole lots of curtains. You could wear one as a toga. Or a sari.
6 January 2013 at 20:55
Z - It is a massive relief!
6 January 2013 at 20:58
I knew this was going to be your time Macy...buy a lottery ticket!
6 January 2013 at 21:00
Libby - I should! I have to! I will!
6 January 2013 at 21:18
Well hell yes! I hope you used that thousand pounds to buy stock in black bun and haggis. Like we all do. You're practically not Scottish if there's no black bun and haggis on your person at all times. Congrats on the awesome new house though Jock-dude!
6 January 2013 at 22:07
Like I said last time Macy, someone is definitely smiling on you!
6 January 2013 at 22:54
I want you to represent me in my next real estate transaction ... and lotto ticket purchase!
7 January 2013 at 01:24
About time the cards were dealt to you. :-)
Pearl
7 January 2013 at 07:00
Ms Veg - Ha! The Black Bun is all yours dollface
Curry Queen - Ah. And if only he looked at lot like Clooney...
LX - Yes this lottery ticket is becoming top of this week's to do list..
Pearl - I'll tell them you said so!
7 January 2013 at 07:56
Fantastic news darling!
I'm so pleased for you, the change in environment will do you both so much good.
And new curtains!
Yay!
x
7 January 2013 at 13:31
May your future continue in brightness! :¬)
xxx
7 January 2013 at 15:18
Cash it quick -before they change their minds.
7 January 2013 at 15:53
Wow, you'll be able to curtain the whole house twice over for winter and summer with that! Great stuff!
7 January 2013 at 18:43
Nice Christmas present for you then, Macy!!
By the way, am I the only one of your readers who finds it difficult to see the link to your comment form, white writing on vanilla background?
7 January 2013 at 20:45
Roses - And new house for new curtains! Result!
Maps - Thank you! :)
Pat - Done! Wasn't taking any risks on that score!
Sarah - Hi! Yes, who knows... could get an John Lewis loyalty card yet...
Librarian - It was an excellent Christmas present. Not least for the sense of relief.... My comments should be brown on cream??
In between hanging up curtains, I'm going to have a go at refurbishing the website by the way.
8 January 2013 at 14:41
Hurrah! You had me on tenterhooks, you old tease :)
12 January 2013 at 00:47
Restores my faith in human nature. At our last place in London we even got a cleaning company in and they still took our deposit.
16 January 2013 at 05:59
Well, this year is a good year. And after all, it wasn't an existing snag.
Now get those curtains up before the neighbours complain