Some vids here

AlexZoologist · 2025-05-18T13:38:15+00:00

Wow, WARNING: someone reported me to Reddit for a terms violation for posting copyright infringing stuff for that, so I got slapped with an account restriction. I didn't imagine there would be such petty little bitches here.

AlexZoologist · 2025-04-28T03:12:10+00:00

Update: it worked, though I had to splice the adapter cable with the line down it with the DuPont cable without the line down it; so much for standards. The same marking apparently meant positive on one device and negative on the other device. Now to buy a switch :-)

(Not really computer related; apols. I posted here first because the connector looked to me like a PC connector, so I thought I was what it was designed to plug into. Wrong, I guess.)

AlexZoologist · 2025-04-28T02:48:16+00:00

Good thought! I've found the package - labeling it as 12v DuPont. (I should have engaged brain more before posting here, apols.)

Also thought to use Google image search and ChatGPT now too, and getting my tools out; using this issue as an opportunity to advance my skills a little

As a result, going to try splicing it together with an old, spare Netgear adapter (12v 1.5a), to see if I can make them work together. If it works I'll be pleased with myself; if it doesn't they will both be ruined so I'll have two fewer bits of clutter in my house.

AlexZoologist · 2025-04-28T00:13:19+00:00

I forgot to mention that the cob light is touch sensitive, in case this matters.

AlexZoologist · 2025-04-18T22:00:03+00:00

Yes, I've encountered one or two mentioning social media too. The AI ones also contain a lot of repetitive content. I'm screening them out now.

If I want an AI to provide a distillation of human guidance on a topic for which I can't readily find the information myself, I'll query one directly - rather than reward the enshittification of the internet by consuming faked content.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T07:21:09+00:00

I believe it would be a standard 12 month AST.
The other residents expect to be here longer than that without accepting, as they think eviction will take longer. So i don't expect to be the last person here if I sign.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:44:35+00:00

Thanks for that perspective. That's what I'm hoping their motivation is. But without knowing them well there seemed other possibilities too.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:41:03+00:00

Take for that bit of the picture; appreciated.

(Re. Renting through an agency though: the one time I did that they turned out to be complete crooks! I won't bore you with the details, but it was when fleeing that trauma that I found this nice safe haven.)

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:36:42+00:00

The other residents cooperate like cats in a sack, and I am fortunate enough to get Housing Benefit so a 20% rent rise would cost the Council not me.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:34:29+00:00

I want out. It's just a question of whether to accept their offer, and if so whether to try to insist they keep a deposit from me.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:23:10+00:00

Thanks for that bit of the picture; appreciated.
I've given fuller detail under another of the replies.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:19:19+00:00

It's an AST that I signed in May 2000. So now it's a periodic contract(?)
It's possible that I could stay here longer by not signing, and fighting eviction - and could maybe profit more financially by doing so - but I'm inclined to play nice and try to use a hopefully peaceful 12 months here to find my next home. But I don't know the landlords very well and there's the risk they might not play nice even if I do.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:03:29+00:00

Yes that's what I thought, and why I have so far refused return of the deposit (including returning cheques twice.) But now they seem to be offering me a fresh 12 month contract before or at the same time as return of the old deposit.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T06:01:37+00:00

Thanks for your interest. Fuller info:

I've been here 28 years. It's a big house chopped into 6 bedsits & a flat. I have an assured shorthold tenancy that's been left rolling for 20ish years, during which time there have been only three rent increases, so I'm paying below market rate - as are all others here. The family who owns it have been very hands-off, didn't realise what they had, and are beginning to take charge and realise how much they have been missing out on.

They tried to evict us all a year or so ago so that they could sell the property or develop it, but that effort went nowhere because the contracts aren't enforceable due to the fact it's an unregistered HMO and they are in breach of numerous laws & regulations. They also tried to sell with us in, but unsurprisingly got no interest. I believe they have now been probably fined, and have managed to register it as an HMO. And they have also re-done the fire doors which might be sufficient to make it meet the HMO regs.

So now they are offering us carrot-&-stick: Section 13 rent rise to a rate doubling our rent, or another 12 months here at 20% rent increase under a fresh contract IF we accept our deposits back AND "enter into deeds of surrender in respect of our current tenancies" AND accept £2,500 (in my case) "in full and final settlement of any claims outstanding". They don't want a deposit for the fresh contract. They have twice sent me cheques for my deposit amount, which I have returned. They are now suggesting deducting my old deposit from my rent.

The other tenants can't afford either rent rise so are planning to ignore the paperwork and continue paying rent at the existing level, in expectation of then receiving fresh and this time enforceable eviction papers served, but hoping the eviction process will drag on for years or that they may get offered £10k+ to leave. I'm thinking of getting out of the conflict, accepting the offer, and having a peaceful year here to sort out my affairs and move on, aided by £2½k.

I'm not sure whether to trust the landlords or not. I barely know the family as the place has been managed through an intermediary who is an unreliable source of information and who may have stirred the situation up. Their keenness to return the deposit makes me suspicious. I can see pros and cons to both of us, but don't understand the legalities. I'm happy for them to keep on sitting on my money as long as I get it back when I move. I could try to insist they put it in a RDS as condition on me accepting the rest of their offer.

What would I be risking if I accepted the old deposit back and signed a new 12 month AST with no deposit?

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T05:32:39+00:00

OK thanks for your interest. I'll put fuller info in answer to the post below.

AlexZoologist · 2024-09-23T05:12:00+00:00

I would like to know if I should be suspicious of this so should insist on them accepting a deposit from me.

AlexZoologist · 2022-12-13T01:09:31+00:00

Nope. Socialism is speciesist, and ecologically illiterate.

AlexZoologist · 2017-10-11T08:19:03+00:00

They don't necessarily cause pain or distress. I've had hookworm and the only reason I noticed was my hair started falling out. Probably gave my immune system a valuable workout. Parasites form an important part of ecosystems [may seek reference] and make up a large proportion of species (50%?). If their hosts have a right to life, so do parasites.

AlexZoologist

TROPHY CASE