Self pitying rant (warning)

[whenwillitend]

I've just had the landlord around saying the house is't maintained properly. I've spent thousands on it, and now have to spend yet more money... Although he was nice, he probably wouldn't be interested in the verbal abuse from neighbours who then file commplaints maliciously. No point mentionig the £300+ goods stolen, as always nothing will happen. No point mentioning the house was clean apartfrom a train set on the floor. Or the people walking round with guns....

Or the fact as a lone parent with kids and a f/t job,im judged the same as a one child family with 2 parents...

Or the ex who delights in telling me off while never taking the kids and rarely paying for them...

Or me having no life at all apart fromwork and childcare, despite having friends, because i can't afford babysitters or trust them not to swear at the girls again....

Sometimes I justfeel like a dog who gets kicked all the time...

Are you in the UK? What did the landlord want doing in terms of 'maintaining it properly'?

If ex doesn't bother having the kids then have no contact with him, or as little as possible. Certainly don't allow him to tell you off!

Could you invite some of your friends round for a girls night in? Let them know you could do with some female company and invite them for a bottle of wine and some nibbles when you've got the girls in bed? I've done this before (gone to a friend's night in when we are all too skint or can't get sitters).

I live in the North in a 3 bed and yes there are a couple of things that need doing, but the house was clean as in nothing on the floor, all swept mop and cleaned when he came round. I think the homeowners gang up on the renters, as they;ve done it to someone else, and even said they get together and make complaints about certain people . The flooring has been redone, the paint is less than 6 months old etc.

Thanks for the support and a girl's night in is a great idea :D I'll definitely do that.

I'm just feeling sorry for myself today, had no break in months and I just need a few hours off, especially as my nine year old has adhd and can be challenging.

Is this a private landlord? Isn't it the property owner's responsibility to do maintenance? (I'm confused!)

I agreed to maintain the property because its in a great area, my concerns are that I want to make them tell the truth about what the intentions are and what they want doing. eg the house was clean although it needs a few repairs.

I'm worried that what they have done to another resident is not air their real concerns and intentions so that needs to happen. I have a lawyer for another reason, I think I might need to tatlk about what is going on.

Just feeling harrassed at the moment and not getting any breaks really

It's the landlord's responsibility to maintain a property, not the tenant's. You just need to keep it clean and tidy, not do DIY and painting - and you certainly shouldn't be spending thousands of pounds of your own money on it, ffs. If that's the case you might as well buy a house of your own.

Also, if it's such a nice area how come you have malicious neighbours and people walking round with guns? Perhaps it's time to look for somewhere else.

Thanks all its my own fault, i signed the tenancy without really going through the small print. The money spent is because i can't do diy and so every little thing costs ££££. 90% of the neighbours are great, its a very small minority causing the trouble.

I've had two people round today who both agreed the house is clean, so I've decided to take pictures just in case. To say its dirty when the floors were freshly washed, washing up al done, not a single thing on the floor etc just doesn't make sense.

I'm feeling a little low tonight so thanks for all the kind words

When just a thought, could you bear to take your tenancy agreement to the local CAB, ringing to check whether they have an appointment system? I think they would be suprised, and maybe say the agreement wasn't legally binding perhaps? What you did about any info they gave you would be up to you, it wouldn't compel you to do anything.
You might feel a bit better, if you find out you had more rights. Sounds like you do, from what you have said. Also sounds like landlord is harassing you somewhat.

Does the landlord do regular inspections then? Do you get notice given of when they are visiting? Perhaps have someone with you next time if possible so you feel a bit more bolstered and LL reigns in any bullying behaviour (obv you will then also have a witness of conversation and state of house). Taking photos is a good idea as it sounds like there was nothing to take umbridge with.

How old are your DCs whenwillitend? If any of them are nursery age it may be worth asking around there if any staff are looking to earn a bit of extra money, or if they have any college students in on placement who may be interested. Worth an ask even if you can't afford a babysitter on a regular basis (I know I cant) it's still worth knowing if there is anyone available. Also ask around other parents if any of them have or know of a reliable babysitter. Nights in are great! Cheaper than going out, nice and warm, can wear anything you want, etc. My friend usually hosts ours as has no sitter, puts her boys to bed and then we go round.