What a Great Feeling

30 June 2011

We are tenanted and all paid up! What a great feeling that is. To get a cheque for two months rent plus another month for the security deposit was fantastic. Especially after waiting for the last few weeks before we could start making money from our investment.

We eventually settled for the professional couple and at a rate of £700 a month – plus we agreed to look after the garden. Well, actually Claire will be doing that, but she doesn't know it yet. Their names are Samantha and Ben and they seem to be a nice couple. Chances are they will never be there as they are both solicitors and work all hours. Still, as long as they pay the rent, I am happy.

It was a bit of a mad rush to get everything finished though. Sam and Ben wanted to move in last Sunday and so I spent from Thursday morning until Saturday evening at the house (apart from when I was sleeping of course!) just sorting out last minute bits.

I was up to my elbows in silicon sealer. It went around everything from the sink and the hob to the bath. Then I was using decorators caulk to fill in gaps all over the place. I touched up paint and sanded down rough edges. I hung curtains, checked electrics and then cleaned the whole place top to bottom.

All I can say is that they had better look after it because I will not be impressed if all my hard work is ruined because they are too busy or too lazy to clean properly and do basic maintenance. I believe that even if you are a tenant you should still look after the basics like keeping gutters clean and washing outside windows. I have said as much to them, but we shall see.

Claire spent most of last week sorting out the garden. We laid some of it as lawn and some of it is a patio area. To be fair both of these are postage stamp sized, but it is sunny and great for the odd BBQ, if the weather ever improves.

So we are feeling pretty good about what we have achieved. Apart from our bank account of course which is practically empty. In fact, we had to rely on the credit card for food shopping this week. The toll of paying for two mortgages and doing up a house has really hit hard.

However I have rung around and sorted out a job for next week. I will be doing a bathroom for a friend of Claire. She has just broken up with her husband and according to Claire she really needs cheering up. Funny how spending money on a new bathroom will work wonders with some people. Doctors should give out DIY vouchers instead of Prozac!