Saturday, 26 July 2008

Mr Landlord

So we picked up the key to our new home today. The condition of the house was as before. Weeds everywhere to the front of the house. Grass in the garden that's about 2ft tall. Garage/shed still in pathetic unusable state. Our estate agent ensured us that all will be ready by 31st July. Fine. Until we asked about the fridge. The shocker - the landlord is not providing us one. All the while we were told it will be provided. The estate agent said she had an argument with the landlord today and he had said he'd never promised one. We don't know who to believe. The agreement had been signed, we'd applied and gotten our parking permit and our move is in a week! But no fridge! So our estate agent suggested that we go choose and buy one ourselves and she will reimburse us 50% of the cost. I asked what will happen to the fridge at the end of our tenancy. She said it's for us to keep. Not bad a deal. Problem is we have to go shopping for another big item. I have my eyes on a sleek LG model but Adrian said it's too expensive. I think we're most likely buying an Indesit. Anyone has good recommendations and places to buy? I really doubt our estate agent is earning much from our rental. She'd waived her admin fee and is now forking out money to pay towards our fridge.

On a brighter note, our immediate neighbour is really nice and friendly. I went over to introduce myself and asked them for a favour. I didn't manage to get the council to barricade the 2 parking lots outside our house for the removal truck as 10 days of notice is required. So I'd asked my neighbour to park their car outside on Friday/Saturday so that at least we will secure a lot. They'd also recommended us a place to buy cheap fridge. Problem was the shop had already closed at that time so we couldn't go have a look.

I really like the fact that we are right in the town centre. There's no need to drive. It's like back to the days in Singapore. Everything's at the doorstep. We took a stroll to town to have dinner and went back to take the measurements for the fridge space. It felt really good. Oh and all the curtains are up. I'm glad they fit as I didn't take measurements beforehand and it was all based on 'argaration'. Best of all, they were bought in the sale. Real bargain prices. Louisa made a comment this morning on our way out. She said that we should always use the dishwasher so that mum and dad can spend more time with her.

Note to Syl: You are RIGHT!!! The sale at H&M is SOOOoo good! Dresses going for £1!!! But I didn't buy any leh. Settling back nicely in good old Singapore?

4 comments:

Alan/Val said...

Have a good move! Hope there will be no more nasty surprises...the fridge is a good deal from the estate agent. See you when we get back!

Oh, Louisa's plan is a good one...maybe she can help load and unload the dishwasher too!

Tsu Lin + + said...

From my experience with fridges, don't buy one with Auto-Defrost as the chances of it getting problems (compressor-related) can be quite high. Or maybe it was just the Hoover fridge.

Of course, ideally the energy rating should be as good as the budget can stretch as it saves on electricity on the long term.

Well, at least it SEEMS that the agent is doing her part to help you out although it is still pretty hectic, trying to find a fridge.

Take photos of the curtains!!

Anonymous said...

Hey hey hey! I'm glad you decided to go for the sale! The weekend was manic - bday parties and welcome home dos. It's slowly sinking in that we're back for good.

Cheeks actually asked whether we could go back to London 'right now!' tho'... :(

I know the move will go smoothly. You DA WOMAN! :P Can't wait to see the new place all done up!

Saggs

Roslyn said...

Ladies!
Thanks for your wellwishes.

Tsulin,
I was told that LG/Hotpoint/Indesit are not very good. Electrolux is recommended. I'm quite lost now. Ya once I get the chance to, will post pics. That is if my camera still works.

Saggs,
Hey!!!!! So happy to see you here. Actually I didn't decide to go for the sale. We went there because Louisa wanted a pair of sunglasses and I saw the items on sale. But I was banned from buying any. :( Phoa! Parties already the first weekend. I'm sure Cheeks will soon forget about wanting to return here. Take care!