I Should Have Known Better

Published 08/02/2012

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By Guest Columnist HMO Landlady

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After moving into my ex-HMO and refurbishing it last year, I decided that I wanted an open fire or woodburner. I’ve always wanted one and seemed to have come so close a few times but then sold a house before my dream could become a reality – husband citing it as a poor investment.

During the renovation the builder found the old hole for the fire, the surround which had been ripped out years ago in a fit of “modernisation” (bastards). I did some research and gawped at the prices of surrounds, flues, hearths and decided that I’d have to have the heating on full blast for the next 10 years to make it cheaper than fitting a fireplace and its paraphernalia. You see, I also needed to build the chimney up as someone had decided to take the stack down to just above the tray which was now leaking. £££££s or should I say, bills, were floating before my eyes. It was whilst salivating over what could be that I met THEM……………

THEY were a roofing company recommended by the fire shop I was browsing in. My builder had decided to spend most of December at the top of a well known suicidal beauty spot coming to terms with his mid-life crisis. He wasn’t in a fit state to work and was turning up at the other properties erratically. We’ve known each other for 4 years and he’s helped me out of many tight spots but unfortunately had mentally gone to a place where no-one could reach him and he felt there was no alternative but to considering jumping. (It’s OK, he didn’t. We had a few stern words, I found him a brilliant shrink, a bedsit run by a friend and he’s now back at work with me on a tight leash. He has a long way to go and I keep an eye on him when he’s on the scaffolding). His good days are now better than his bad days.

Explanation for my folly now over; THEY turned up, gave me a quote, possessed a ladder and van and could start the following day. Coupled with my friend’s suggestion of taking an Edwardian fireplace out of one of the HMOs which was causing a draft, it looked like I was on track for a toasty Christmas. As soon as this bunch of workmen started they identified other roofing problems which “could be very dangerous”. I’m not normally a pushover but my father had just been diagnosed with cancer and taken to hospital and mum had pneumonia so I wasn’t really in a position to verify their claims as I was impersonating a middle aged version of Cinderella at my parent’s house.

THEY came, THEY were paid in cash, THEY left. Two weeks later, stains appeared on the ceiling on the landing and second chimney breast that was taken down (here are the photos) and I soon realised I’d been ‘ad. However, by this time it was Christmas and I was having fun raiding my neighbour’s skips for wood to cut up and burn in an effort not to spend any money on heating – it worked, my gas bill for December and January was £50!

In the New Year my builder was released in a fairly sorry state from hospital where he’d been sectioned and came over for a chat. He soon perked up when he looked at the problems that had been caused by THEIR crappy workmanship and has been sorting it out during the last couple of weeks. THEY’D used the wrong materials which were already soaking causing more damp, put the rubble down one unused chimney breast causing the paint to flake inside and, in his opinion, deliberately put holes in the flashing on the gully which was causing watermarks on the ceiling. With glee he scoffed “What cowboys did this then?”. I replied “Don’t blame me, it’s your fault for leaving me in my hour of need and trying to chuck yourself off a cliff!” We’ve agreed to call a truce and only bring it up when he’s scratching his chin or sucking his teeth in disbelief.

Moral of the story – if you don’t have someone you can trust, get quotes and full references and look on Property 118 for trades in your area!

About HMOLandlady
How a novice landlady found herself teaching complete strangers how to share the kitchen nicely! HMO Landlady fell into the world of letting houses out on a room by room basis back in 2007. Having made lots of mistakes, unintentionally fallen foul of the law on the odd occasion, been taken for a complete ride by some tenants and wondered what the hell she was doing most the time, she balances being the main carer of 3 children with the ongoing needs of 15 tenants across 3 houses. The divide is often blurred, but the skill set remains the same."

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