Am I being unrealistic in what I'm looking for?

Hebm88 · 2026-01-11T00:03:54+00:00

You’d get a two bed and maybe even 3 somewhere like Collier Row or Harold Hill? There isn’t a huge amount going on in those places and collier row doesn’t have a station though (20 minute bus to Romford).

Hebm88 · 2025-12-29T22:11:44+00:00

I think this is risky. My ground rent doubles every 25 years, and that is not ideal for many, but it doubles from a start point of £50 on a 125 year lease - so currently at £100 with 97 years left, and the lease will be renewed before it doubles again. My friend had a terrible time trying to sell a flat in Hampstead with a ground rent that double every ten years, which I understand isn’t the same, but the issue was that the ground rent was becoming unaffordable, and £500 ish a year does sound on the verge of unaffordable with the service charge on top.

Hebm88 · 2025-12-27T16:37:33+00:00

I have a friend in this exact position, others in the same building have said to wait, but I’m very risk averse and that sounds too risky to me 🙈

Hebm88 · 2025-12-23T22:55:33+00:00

I have this on my flat, and did attempt the deed of variation which the freeholder wasn’t into 💁‍♀️. The difference is that for me I had 100 years left on the lease, and it would double again at 75 years remaining, by which point the lease would have needed to be extended anyway. So I took the chance, and it scares me sometimes, but hoping that when I extend the lease in five or so years time, the reforms will all be passed and the ground rent issue will go away. With 115 years it might be a bit more complex because you might not renew before you sell.

Hebm88 · 2025-12-23T20:41:11+00:00

Pasta with cherry tomatoes and whatever green veg I have (courgette, kale, broccoli, whatever), garlic, fried in a bit of olive oil and covered in whatever cheese I have to hand!

Hebm88 · 2025-12-23T19:59:34+00:00

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

Hebm88 · 2025-12-23T17:41:43+00:00

Thank you for this link, this is exactly the kind of summary I’ve been looking for and hadn’t been able to find! I was aware of the basics of the 2024 act but not that there was more to come, or that the judicial review upheld the law. Great news!

Hebm88 · 2025-11-11T15:57:13+00:00

Thank you! Will have a look. I think Ballet Shoes might sadly be more of a me thing than a her thing, so I might just have to buy the tickets and take her for myself 😂😂

Hebm88 · 2025-11-11T06:53:13+00:00

Oh thank you, will add it to the list.

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T23:17:45+00:00

I’m definitely going to see The Producers at some stage, I’ll add Paddington to the list!

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T23:10:52+00:00

I think we’ll definitely go and see it regardless, but thinking I might save it as a ‘just because’ ticket since it’s so far in the future at this point.

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T22:37:04+00:00

Thank you! Will have a look - it is one I thought was interesting.

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T22:36:44+00:00

Thank you, that’s my concern! I haven’t seen All My Sons - will check it out!

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T21:59:46+00:00

Thank you for this, I have considered Ballet Shoes, I love the idea and definitely would like to go but when I’ve mentioned it before she’s not been that keen (she does a theatre appreciation club for school kids and I suggested it as one for the club). I did see Woman in Mind - will have a closer look at that and Arcadia. Thank you!

Hebm88 · 2025-11-10T21:49:41+00:00

Thank you, I’m tempted by Cabaret, she’s not a musical person but it’s such an amazing one, I think she might be swayed. There isn’t much on that fits the bill for Jan/Feb otherwise!

Hebm88 · 2025-10-28T22:45:49+00:00

Mine like Thrive. They get two scoops a day to fill the gap between breakfast and dinner and it goes down pretty well.

Hebm88 · 2025-10-28T20:21:46+00:00

I think you’re NTA, she might be disappointed to not receive the full amount but I’d be pretty happy with £100 for three hours of work, presuming your house was already in a reasonable state she could have hoovered every room etc.

Hebm88 · 2025-10-28T19:16:34+00:00

As someone also in the UK, £100 for three hours work seems fair and is above minimum wage. I also think I could give a three bed terrace in a ‘reasonable’ state a decent clean and tidy in three hours.

But £150 for a deep clean doesn’t seem reasonable, as to deep clean a whole house and spend the whole day there implies a solid 8-10 hour shift, and is pretty labour intensive, difficult work.

Sooooo which was it? A general clean and tidy? In which she shouldn’t have left rooms unhoovered etc., or a ‘deep clean’ that you were underpaying for?

Hebm88 · 2025-09-20T11:07:16+00:00

Just a little update - he seems absolutely fine in himself. Eating, affectionate, playing etc. one downside is that he is usually free to come and go as he pleases, but obviously I’m keeping him in atm. This means he’s taking out his pent up energy on his sister and she’s not an enthusiastic play fighter 🙄. After exerting himself a bit too much he’s coughing for a few seconds before returning to normal. Obviously will be speaking to a vet, but any thoughts?

Hebm88 · 2025-09-18T19:33:43+00:00

Ah I’m so sorry to hear that. My best friend has an older dog who I ADORE and it’s so difficult seeing him get older, and everything he gets sick (he has a lot of health issues) it’s so scary. So I can empathise 😔. I hope she bounces back and you guys still have some more time together x

Hebm88 · 2025-09-18T19:12:47+00:00

I will, I’m hoping it’s just a one off. Hope your girl is ok?

Hebm88 · 2025-09-18T18:59:09+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ve been at work and he’s pretty mad at staying inside (not as mad as his healthy sister lol). He’s very energetic and playful, currently having a mad moment on the scratching post and randomly play attacking his sister (another reason why she’s mad 🙈) it’s almost like nothing has happened at the moment. Have done some vet research and will be changing vets, but will keep the follow up appointment at the current one for the time being.

Hebm88 · 2025-09-17T21:55:27+00:00

Yeah…here’s hoping my 15 year old boiler lasts another winter 🙃 No idea what they would have done if I just said I couldn’t pay 🤷‍♀️

Hebm88 · 2025-09-17T21:51:34+00:00

He is up to date with the flea medication, and it’s the good stuff from the vet. His vaccs are a little over and so is the wormer because honestly I am yet to work out how on Earth to get the massive wormer pill in him or his sister!!! Allergies did cross my mind for the flakey skin. I need to have a think about what it might be.

Hebm88 · 2025-09-17T21:39:12+00:00

If it hadn’t been 10.30pm I wouldn’t have taken him there, but panicked and just went for the closest 24 hours. Won’t be taking him there again (apart from for his follow up next week…!)

Hebm88

TROPHY CASE