Flat makes me worry all the time...

[allthatglittersisnotgold]

Not quite appropriate area, but need to just say things and perhaps I'll get advice/a story or two.

My partner and I are lucky enough to have bought a flat in London a few years ago. I am in a constant state of anxiety about it though. We have been slowly doing it up whilst living in it. We'll just get a room nice, when something will pop up, like plaster will crack, or the dog will be sick on the carpet. We'll start to plan another project and the whole place feels a mess again. i get flashbacks to our survery mentioning problems and mentally add them to my list of things to sort.

Since the storms, we now have leaks in our roof and guttering, which is sending me into a spin about damp. I know this is so trivial compared to what some people are going through. I just wonder sometimes how people do it, have children/houses etc, and get on with life happy. I feel unable to cope with the smallest problem that arises!

We are planning a loft conversion for this year, and I'm already worried about upsetting the neighbours and whether they will mind. On the other side I'm worried they will cause problems for us, and be angry with any building noise/mess. Even though I am making myself available for all communication, and discussion with anyone who wants to.

Don't really know where I'm going with this! Anyone got stories of their first properties/any properties and how it all came good in the end? I know this is a total first world problem and I wish I could get some perspective. I'm a born worrier!

[lalalonglegs]

Building work is very stressful. If I were you, rather than do things piecemeal, I'd save up to do as much as possible in one almighty sweep and get it all over and done with. Be aware that a lot of newly plastered walls get hairline cracks - it's life really, don't let it get to you. Get rid of the dog

[lalalonglegs]

Actually, I think some places just have the ability to make you anxious. I had a flat that made me feel like on edge all the time - it was rented out but I was just filled with doom every time I had to deal with it. It got to the point where I had to brace myself to open emails from the tenants - even though it was usually some minor little thing such as checking if the gas safety certificate was being done that week. I remember weeding the garden one time and noticing lots of this bushy green plant had sprouted up everywhere - I was convinced it was Japanese knotweed and that we'd never be able to get rid of it. Closer inspection showed it was wild mint .

[BrownSauceSandwich]

Get rid of the flat before the dog! Owning a home is stressful, whereas owning a dog reduces stress

I think Everlong might be onto something. I suffer from stress/anxiety from time to time, and the hassle and financial pressures of jobs on the house are an easy thing to fixate on. Take a step back, or ask a trusted friend to help you decide whether your anxiety is proportionate to the stressors.

If the cost of repair is a worry, you need to make some important decisions about whether you can afford the planned loft conversion, particularly with the threat of interest rates rising.

But as far as neighbours are concerned, I think you're doing everything right. Keep the lines of communication open, be sympathetic to people's concerns, but don't be brow-beaten by them. If they get really shitty, it's probably because they've been waiting for something to be shitty about.

[Binkybix]

I'm exactly like this with our flat, and we're planning an extension because no space!! No advice really, just wanted to express solidarity!

[spotty26]

Get it valued, that'll cheer you up!