http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/ en Sat, 18 May 2013 12:45:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/images/misc/rss.png http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/ http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55199-People-drive-like-pensioners-nowadays&goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 18:37:55 GMT Am I the only one who has found this recently?

I'm not sure if it's all the incredibly underpowered engines that are installed to save C02 emissions, dimwittedness, or just poor driving technique, but everyone seems to be frightened to move these days.

My particular annoyances are:
1.) People coming to a full stop on a roundabout when there is nothing coming.
2.) People failing to signal at roundabouts, and so making me stop for no reason.
3.) People at the head of a queue at traffic lights not moving until someone blows their horn.
4.) People driving at 40 on 60 limit roads.
5.) People going down to 20 in 30 limits when approaching cameras.
6.) People stopping when traffic light is green.

Anyone got any others, or know why crawling seems to be people's default setting? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! JK0 http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55199-People-drive-like-pensioners-nowadays http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55168-5-minute-meals&goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 20:34:33 GMT What your best quick-to-make meal?

(And more to the point, how do you make it?)

Here's one of mine:

Quick Pizza

Add 6oz / 1 cup milk and a pinch of salt & pepperto 8 oz/250 g self-raising flour, mix into a dough, roll out lightly to about 12 "/30cm diameter. Transfer onto pizza tray/baking sheet.

Spread half a jar of tomato-based goo (preferably one with herbs, garlic, etc) over it and add whatever toppings you've got (mushrooms, chopped pepper, etc).

Add whatever cheese(s) you've got, grated or sliced, top with a slug of olive oil and dried oregano, then bake in hot oven (230 C) for about 15-20 mins until it's done. You can of course divide the dough into smaller rounds for different people in which case they will only take 10-15 mins to bake. ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! mind the gap http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55168-5-minute-meals http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55092-Sir-Alex-ferguson-retires&goto=newpost Wed, 08 May 2013 11:11:12 GMT Obviously this is not a massive thing for those not bothered by 'the beautiful game'tm, but how do forumistas feel about this man's achievements in being at the top of his profession for over 20 years?
Whether you know about football or not, he has had a pretty remarkable career.
Respect is due. ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! sherifffatman http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55092-Sir-Alex-ferguson-retires http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55063-What-do-you-do-to-help-bees&goto=newpost Mon, 06 May 2013 20:13:17 GMT About six years ago I bought a bee house a bit like this for my roof terrace http://tinyurl.com/d48lhlb Today, for the first time, I saw two bees using it.

But it's definitely been worth it. (In my wilder imaginings, three bees may be living in it).

http://www.helpsavebees.co.uk/index.html ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! westminster http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55063-What-do-you-do-to-help-bees http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55034-National-Trust-scrap-staff-homes&goto=newpost Sat, 04 May 2013 16:14:57 GMT I’ve heard from a friend of a friend that the National Trust are going to be effectively throwing out their employees from their homes on NT estates, homes that were part of their original employment package. We are talking about people such as gardeners or rangers who are not earning a great deal... I’ve heard from a friend of a friend that the National Trust are going to be effectively throwing out their employees from their homes on NT estates, homes that were part of their original employment package. We are talking about people such as gardeners or rangers who are not earning a great deal of money and places in the sticks with no viable public transport.

Compensation offered is measley. Ultimately staff will need to survive on the same wage without accommodation included and also bare increased costs of transport in places miles away.

The staff must be feeling amazingly under valued.

This is action is rich coming from an organisation that relies of the good will of volunteers to keep its estates looking good.

Local rural communities will be so much the poorer from losing hard working folk and gaining yet more holiday cottages or the a load of middle class who can afford the rents but will be commuting in and out. Not very sustainable IMO. And ironic that the NT seeks to preserve buildings but not its own loyal workforce or the communities they are part of.


What do you think? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! Bel http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55034-National-Trust-scrap-staff-homes http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55009-Problems-for-Interest-only-mortgages&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 20:40:35 GMT It was described today as 'no better than renting', but how can that be? At least you have an asset that you can sell which will leave you with some money. ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! wilfred http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?55009-Problems-for-Interest-only-mortgages http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54978-Should-ve-gone-to-specsavers!&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 16:33:46 GMT My T, a lovely bloke, keeps his room spotless, always smells nice and fresh. Perfect.

Decides to get engaged (YIKES didn't ask my advice first: I'd have said 'Don't do it!').

Took his GF to get a ring. She chooses a nice one. 'Hmmm, £500, not bad' thinketh he. 'Are you sure that's the one you want?' he asked.

'Yes, it's lovely!' she replied.

They get to the till.

'£1500' said the assistant.

'Should've gone to specsavers!'

He's living on beans and cardboard. ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! Berlingogirl http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54978-Should-ve-gone-to-specsavers! http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54974-Overheard-in-IKEA&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 15:38:17 GMT Parent: Come on, Xavier, get a move on.

Xavier : But my shoelace is undone.

Parent : Never mind, it can wait until we get to the car, can't it?

Xavier : No! I feel very insecure when my shoelaces are undone!

(Personally, I'd have been more worried about being called Xavier, but there you go!). ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! mind the gap http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54974-Overheard-in-IKEA http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54963-tag-a-granny&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 10:33:12 GMT Sussex Police are in the News but what struck me was the OAP's pressure groups response "barbaric" (oh and give us more money).

:D It suggested to me that the Constabulary were lining them up at tesco's or the post office
"Oi, Granny. what day is it? " and if there was one "er" " grab her, grandad you're not getting away from us with those knees" and ankle bracelets fitted or chipped liked cats.

In fact they are being offered them and they are pocket sized or have a belt clip or neck strap.

For anyone struggling with a seasoned citizen it is sometimes hard to get them to do things that are manifestly in their best interest, so isnt this a good idea to save on costs, the worry for the relatives and indeed the person who can get quite upset when they realise they are lost.

Perhaps we should think about it when there have been two serious incidents involving the Police, not going to the shops in their slippers.

Our girls all had id bracelets so why not gran or grandad,- if a 22 year old girl gets worse for wear in Freshers week and we get a call, why not? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! leaseholdanswers http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54963-tag-a-granny http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54943-Why-We-Have-A-Deficit&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:05:33 GMT Its because of this sort of blithering nonsense. http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/tenants-asked-to-sign-%E2%80%98ambition-plans%E2%80%99/6526656.article Its because of this sort of blithering nonsense.

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenan...526656.article ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! leaseholdanswers http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54943-Why-We-Have-A-Deficit http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54932-New-employers&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:30:15 GMT The company I work for (care home) went into administration October last year when the bank threw out the owner along with the rest of the management team. The bank brought in another management team. Come 1st May I shall have a new employer and no doubt be on my third management team in 2.5... The company I work for (care home) went into administration October last year when the bank threw out the owner along with the rest of the management team. The bank brought in another management team.

Come 1st May I shall have a new employer and no doubt be on my third management team in 2.5 years.

Just hope this lot are not like the first lot. I have done some research and early indications seem good. They own 16 other homes a few counties away but we would be their biggest (66). Head office is 3 hours away and I am hopeful that we won't have to trek there for induction/training.

Currently saving for a newer car. Had planned initially to get one on finance and obviously didn't when we went into administration so have recently started saving instead. If they don't decend on us and sack us all I could look at financing a better car in 6 months presuming job is ok.

I also spotted a full time lettings agent job in same town LOL. I rented last house through them (T find only). ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! Brb http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54932-New-employers http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54926-Would-you-live-next-to-a-train-line&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:30:36 GMT Wasn't sure where to post this (so Mod, please move if you like). I'm looking for another BTL flat right now and as I'm looking at the low end of the market the properties I'm viewing all have their 'problems'.

The latest problem is a train line at the back. Agent claimed only two trains per hour, but anyway.... it's not *that* close, but you can see/hear the trains, especially if you're outside on the terrace. Double glazing so not a big deal inside, though a light sleeper might wake up. No vibrations.

Do you think this would put a *lot* of prospective tenants off? The flat has lots of plus points otherwise.

Incidentally, I've noticed that nowadays (it's 6 years since I last bought a property) agents won't show a property once it's under offer. I'm sure they used to, or am I imagining it? Is there a new rule or have buyers started to insist on it to avoid being gazumped? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! westminster http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54926-Would-you-live-next-to-a-train-line http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54922-The-Things-You-See-On-Trains&goto=newpost Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:31:51 GMT I visited a far off scheme by train today, which I always enjoy as it gives me time time 2 think, daydream, and watch cows and hedges run by. I spotted a piece of paper on the seat opp and was drawn by one word- the male form of chicken! It was a handwritten ( generic girly issue ) list of... I visited a far off scheme by train today, which I always enjoy as it gives me time time 2 think, daydream, and watch cows and hedges run by.

I spotted a piece of paper on the seat opp and was drawn by one word- the male form of chicken!


It was a handwritten ( generic girly issue ) list of english to Italian with the basic phrases and then went onto bedroom/soft porn type language so that tight wet and want etc was listed alongside male chickens and kittens :D

There is obviously an Italian chap who is going to get lucky tonight, as when her mother told her to do her homework and be prepared, she clearly took it to heart. Well if she cant be good lets hope she's careful.


Amore! ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! leaseholdanswers http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54922-The-Things-You-See-On-Trains http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54900-More-security-of-tenure-needed&goto=newpost Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:05:44 GMT I came across this site: http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Europe

I checked several countries and in all of them tenants have significantly more security of tenure.

In Britain we have veered between "Rent Act" security for tenants and "Housing Act" security for landlords. Do we need something in between which strikes a balance between social stability and the economic interests of landlords? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! Lawcruncher http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54900-More-security-of-tenure-needed http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54882-What-created-the-1980s-property-boom&goto=newpost Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:33:48 GMT In 1974 our neighbour's bought their three story Victorian house for the miserly sum of £14K. In 1984 it sold for £54K. Then, at the height of the housing boom in 1988, it sold for£188K.
Why did it treble in price in just four years?
Was it due to the fact that from the 70s onwards women went out to work?
The rule used to be a mortgage should never be more than a quarter of one person's salary, (the husband's). So what happened? ]]> Take a Break - for the less serious! wilfred http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?54882-What-created-the-1980s-property-boom