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Property/DIY

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Original poster

I hate owning a house

47 replies

MagicWorkout · 26/10/2021 21:49

And being responsible for everything.

There's just me since DH died and I find the whole thing very stressful when anything goes wrong. In theory, I have enough money to get help in (so luckier than many) but it's so hard to find people who want the work and reliably turn up!

Currently I have a small unidentified fault with the heating (it works but not properly) but I haven't been able to find anyone interested in finding out what it is.

The front of the house needs painting and no doubt I will eventually find someone but it's such hard work. I'm terrified of something big going wrong.

I'm seriously tempted to look at renting but it worries me how you cope with renting and annual rent increases in retirement.

OP posts:

userg5647 · 27/10/2021 09:37

OP if you've got the money you're 90% there. If you rent you still need to chase the landlord and there's no guarantee you'll have a landlord that will action the work or quickly, it could still be a fight. I'm sorry for your loss, it must be overwhelming on your own, I'd start by finding a local handy person on hand for smaller jobs as they come up and they could point you to other trades potentially. I'd start by asking on Facebook for trusted people. There's always check a trade too.

Sandrine1982 · 27/10/2021 09:38

We've always lived in a flat but we're buying a house and I'm completely terrified- for the same reasons you've described. My partner hates DIY so not at all handy. On the other hand I love DIY, but there's only so much I can do, with a toddler constantly demanding my attention and a full time job in the background. When I need a specialist, I usually post a job on Mybuilder.com ... although it's true that recently there's been a lot less take-up as builders are busy. I also try Facebook groups (e.g. local parents' groups) or just google e.g. "plumber near me" ... then look at reviews. I hope you'll find some help soon, good luck!

FAQs · 27/10/2021 09:45

I like the security of having my own home, however get where you are coming from, I’ve got failed double glazing units, water damage from a bathroom leak, which has damaged lining paper so can’t just be repainted. The boiler is now 14 years old and has a shelf life of 10 years so feel as though on borrowed time. It’s just me and my daughter. Oh and one of the sockets in my kitchen isn’t working, so freezer is on an extension and the bathroom fan has died, no window so it’s starting to show mould. I don’t have the energy to fix it all.

I’ve previously renovated houses myself but don’t have the energy or enthusiasm anymore.

blobby10 · 27/10/2021 09:59

MagicWorkout I feel the same. Split with ExH in 2015 and the most stressful bit of the whole breakup was knowing that now it was just me responsible for everything house related. from taking the bins out to getting someone to fix the leaky guttering or broken boiler! Moved into my smaller and theoretically more manageable house in Nov 2019 and still have a long list of 'bits' that need fixing. I've got a local heating firm which deals with the boiler (had to be replaced when I moved in as it was coming to the end of life anyway) and a local plumber who updated my en suite and bathroom but as far as fixing gutters and stuff, I haven't a clue who to call! And its all so expensive too - don't get me wrong, I don't begrudge any small business the prices they charge but when its something I know I should be able to do but just can't get the energy together to research how to do it then actually do it, that's when I get cross with myself!

Lockdownbear · 27/10/2021 10:22

@blobby10 gutters is part of the plumbers trade (along with lead flashings). Phone your friendly plumber.

Badoukas · 27/10/2021 10:45

I use Mybuilder.com to post jobs that need doing. You can see reviews of the tradespeople and agree a price in advance. I had a shower fitted the day after posting by a guy who was in my town to pick up a boiler for another job. I had my landing plastered by an amazing experienced plasterer who had a few days spare when something was delayed on his main project that week. Definitely worth putting your jobs on there, I've found it really good.

blobby10 · 27/10/2021 11:09

@Lockdownbear thats really helpful thank you!! Got him coming out this week to fix the kitchen sink - its old and the plastic has become brittle and the connection between plughold and pipes has broken. Will ask him about the gutters.

Twinmumwithtoddler · 27/10/2021 11:12

Sorry for your loss OP. Would moving to a smaller low maintenance new build be an option?

You have to find a good builder and estate of course, but I loved it when we were in our little new build. We moved to an older bigger house as we needed the space but it is such a huge responsibility.

Lockdownbear · 27/10/2021 11:34

@blobby10 no problem,

Op I hope you are feeling better. I'd only move to a smaller place if its for the right reasons, not to try and cut maintenance, our house is 10yo and is needing odd things done, valves replaced on toilets.

ladytramper · 27/10/2021 11:36

With renting, your house won't be painted and maintained in perfect condition, the landlord will only (usually begrudgingly) deal with boilers and important stuff. Perhaps you could look at some of those over-55 estates (if that applies to you) and supported housing if it would give you some comfort, but I imagine they are expensive

TuftyMarmoset · 27/10/2021 12:14

Sorry for your loss OP. I think buying a flat in a block with a management company could be an option for you. That way they sort things to do with external/communal parts for you and then send you your share of the bill. You’d still need to sort the things inside your flat yourself, but at least it would be less to worry about.

eightlivesdown · 27/10/2021 14:14

Consider selling and buying a new or recent build house, or a flat with a management company who are responsible for the repairs to the fabric of the building.

WhiskyXray · 27/10/2021 14:21

Sorry for your loss, OP. It must be very hard going from a couple vs. the world to just you. Hopefully some of the recommendations on this thread will help you. I find tradesmen on checkatrade.com or trustatrader.com - there are good ones out there

And yes, the sheer grind of a falling to bits old house does get too much sometimes. It's expensive and endless

user1471538283 · 27/10/2021 17:37

It is so hard doing it alone. Ask for plumber recommendations on Facebook. I found my person to do repairs there and he knew a plasterer. I found my plumber on there and he knows a sparky. So it goes on.

DustyMaiden · 27/10/2021 18:42

British Gas home care for boiler servicing and repairs. Plumbing and drains and electrical. I have it for four houses. You just book online. Like any insurance if nothing goes wrong it’s wasted money but it’s nice to have someone to call on 24/7.

For other jobs local heroes site. Describe the job and get several people quoting and competing for the work.

Sorry for your loss.

SaltySheepdog · 04/11/2021 01:19

Buy a house built in the last 10 years

ozymandiusking · 04/11/2021 01:43

There is a site called Nextdoor, it is very useful , as people recommend many different kinds of trades people. It's free and there are other things like free stuff, stuff for sale. lost and found.

hollyhocksarenotmessy · 04/11/2021 06:21

Sorry for your loss OP.

But renting is another level of hell. My son and his disabled fiance are likely to be literally on the streets homeless in 2 weeks as their landlord is evicting them after 5 years through no fault of theirs. They had 4 months notice and have tried desperately to find somewhere else. The council cannot help until they are on the streets. It looks like the only option now is for my son to leave his job and for them to move 300 miles to live with us and we'll have to turn our living room into a bedroom. Assuming our landlord will let us do that. I'm worried sick about paying rent after we retire, we will definitely have to downsize back into a liitle flat, and having only just been able to move into a house, I want to cry about that. Don't wish yourself into this shite.

Capferret · 04/11/2021 06:29

Most councils have a list of fair and trustworthy tradesmen.
I think its for over 60's but I'm sure anyone can contact them.
My dm uses the list knowing she will still pay the correct price but won't get ripped off.

BuffyFanForever · 04/11/2021 07:08

British Gas have a monthly policy which is great for any faults. Be glad you can own your own house - many of us can’t!

DDUW · 04/11/2021 07:10

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

PoshWatchShitShoes · 04/11/2021 09:11

Try to get recommendations from neighbours for different trades and a good general handyman.

Renting was lots of hassle for us. We rented for a year between a sale and purchase. The rent was extortionate to find anywhere I was happy to live. There were also lots of things wrong with the house that we wouldn't pay to fix, as it wasn't ours and the landlord wouldn't address (e.g. faulty window seals, dodgy chimney flue), as she was cheap and tight. Lots of issues cropped up with heating, the boiler, bathroom fixtures (even though they were brand new from Bath Store) etc. The landlord had to be convinced to fix every little thing that went wrong. Exhausting. Then when we were moving out, we had to use the dispute resolution service to get our deposit back, which we won.

Enjoy your house, but line up people you can trust for the maintenance.

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