Renovations nightmare

[notintowoo]

Hello everyone,

We have recently accepted a council property but the flat needs a lot of work. Please tell me what I could do as my mind is going round the bend and I am feeling very stressed.

1. The exterior bricks of the building is turning black. A family member told me that this could be a sign of mold!

2. The flat below me is a leasehold flat (I think). The flat below has direct access to the garden (via their living room) but I will have to go round the back of the building to access the garden. The issue is that the flat below have bolted the garden from the inside, so there is no outdoor lock for me to open the garden gate. What do I do?

3. The living room has exposed pipes and they are really high up and ugly. Don't know whether they could put the pipes under the floor.

4)There's a very old radiator in the bathroom and a high unusuable (filthy) ventilator in the bathroom. Don't know whether the council will replace this.

5)Floor boards are very squeaky and I would ideally like to put soundproofing under the floorboards (any tips!). Developed anxiety on my current home due to neighbours complaining about every noise. Want to put in soundproofing to enjoy my new home and now having to worry about causing a nuisance to neighbours.

6)Windows are single glazed (?) but the glazed portion of the windows is falling apart.

Please help. My mind is racing.

First of all I would check what the council will cover - items 1, 4 and 6 look like basic repairs needed to make the place habitable.

Re the garden access, maybe see how you get on with the neighbour and they may be amenable to unbolting the gate or replacing with a lock to which you both have a key. If they turn out to be unreasonable then perhaps don't spend money on sound-proofing!

Re the pipes, that could be a lot of expensive work and I'd question whether it is worthwhile, especially if you aren't going to be there forever. Are you saving up to buy a place? If so, minimising outlays at this stage may be the best plan. You might be able to disguise them by painting or boxing them in, for example.

Approach your neighbour downstairs in a friendly way.

Ask how they worked the communal garden in the past and how the two flats can work it out now.

There would be no harm in asking if they know anyone who could help with soundproofing the floor during that chat!😀😄

1. Speak with council get them to check it.

1. I'd speak with both the occupier of the flat downstairs and the council. Make sure they know their is an issue and let them take it up on your behalf.

1. Unlikely the pipes can be moved but they could be boxed in / made less obvious. Probably as well to pay for that privately.

1. Point out both issues to council. The vent might just need a good clean and a hoover using the hoover tools.

1. Insulation under floor is a major task. I really wouldn't bother. But it might be worth trying talc in the floor boards to stop the squeek. Carpet and underlay should help.

1. See council about the windows.

How did you get on @notintowoo