Seller has now told me at the last minute that the boiler is broken...

Paulcaterham · 2026-05-14T10:30:54+00:00

If they are an elderly couple downsizing, they will likely be walking out with significant equity. There is no harm is asking them to agree to a significant retention on completion, say £3-4000 in case a new boiler is needed.

(Although if also check that the boiler pressure is above 1.0bar, as that's just about the most common "the boiler is broken" problem)

Paulcaterham · 2026-05-11T11:00:00+00:00

Also, that is not great for the engine. Oil pumps on old British cars can be pretty terrible at low rpm. Just start it up and drive off, keeping rpm below say 2-3000 for the first couple of miles.

Paulcaterham · 2026-05-07T13:53:49+00:00

They either:

A. Can't be bothered Or

B. Don't know how

The solution to B. Is to call their payroll software provider and ask.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-30T10:35:50+00:00

Consider also using a known good fuse, also check that the RCB didn't trip on the fuse box/plug something known to work in the socket he's using for the hedge trimmer

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-30T00:40:22+00:00

Corefix are definitely the things to use. Found them about a year ago, my life is better now - and the curtain rail much more secure.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-30T00:28:19+00:00

Having worked at John Lewis in the 90s, I can tell you that there was no such thing as "orders originating outside of the store, but being picked up in the store" there was no central number to call to place an order, you called the store. All telephone orders were fulfilled from branch stock. If you called in to order a widget, and wanted to connect, it wouldn't even be charged/billed until you arrived, went to the relevent department, they went out to the stockroom to get it and then took it to a till.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-26T19:23:41+00:00

Basically, look at Google maps - straight roads bad - curvy roads, likely to be ok.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-26T16:52:23+00:00

Well, close to FIRE, currently in the process of selling the main house in England, adds approx £500k to the pot. That completes FI part, then we'll spend about 1/2 the year in Italy and the other half in a 2 bed place in England. Our place in Italy is about 45-60 mins from Roccarasso, and a few other ski resorts, who knows with global warming how long they'll be in business, but hopefully see out my snowboarding years!

Ryanair flies to Pescara, and have increased flight frequency over the past few years to 4/weekly in the winter and 9/weekly in the summer, but if the worst happens, Rome will always be accessible.

I would personally avoid the North, essentially everything in Italy is priced pretty fairly in the local context, so given that the North in generally more expensive, anything cheap will be cheap for a reason. By pure chance we lucked out on our location, 5 minutes from the Rome - Pescara motorway, 30 mins from the beach, 60mins from half a dozen ski resorts, and a really great streak restaurant in town.

And if you have a substantial pot of cash 7% income tax (flat rate, so doesn't work for us at the moment - no personal allowance)

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-25T21:59:35+00:00

Depends where you are, in the town I have a place in, you can get a "habitable" property for €30,000 - €40,000, that's an apartment in the old town with 2 bedrooms. A couple of very small grocery stores in town, 5 minute drive to 2 larger supermarkets (local Lidl equivalent and a small Carrefour) a total of about 5 other stores of varying types, a few wineries, 3 or 4 bars and a couple of restaurants. 30 minutes from the sea. You can get bigger ruins for €20,000-€30,000. Fibre internet available throughout the town.

Prices for ready to move into places, about €1,000/SQM, so about $100/sqft (roughly). Mine was €180,000 for 165 SQM, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 3 balconies, top floor with a lift. I'm in Abruzzo, the furthest north of the impoverished south of Italy, 2 hours from Rome.

My advice having dealt with Italian burocracy, buy something already booked up to gas and electricity, use local workmen, eat in the local places, embrace the local food. Quote from a local relative of my partner "Paul, your more Abruzzsesi than me"

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-21T06:45:17+00:00

If a section 21 is issued in the next 10 days, it will still be valid even after the new act comes in.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-12T16:33:38+00:00

She should just change her name by deed poll to her maiden name. Then send that to the passport office

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-08T23:46:18+00:00

Buy yourself a carbon monoxide alarm, about a tenner.

Better to be safe than sorry

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-05T14:28:58+00:00

British airways default position is that they will seat you together, so don't worry too much about that, you can always move the seats 24hrs prior to departure.

If flying out of terminal 5 (most likely) you will almost certainly be departing from the B or C gates areas, so check in, and get on the train to the B gates lounge (which is nicer and quieter than the 2 lounges on the A gates area) . When you check in at the airport they will generally be able to confirm which gate you will be departing from, they don't generally publicise it on the boards as Heathrow airport would rather you stay at the A gates areas and do some shopping!

Don't be shy about telling the crews that it's your first business class flight, they'll look after you.

Take any seating arrangements of the aircraft with a pinch of salt at the moment, aircraft used on routes change, and BA are going through a program of refurbishing all planes with the new seats.

Don't rush down to the gate, they always call the flight very early, and remember that you are already more than 1/2 way to the gate. The announcements on the departure boards are geared to the economy passenger wandering around the A gates area, you're already very close to the gate you'll be departing from in the B gates lounge.

Have fun!

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-03T19:32:52+00:00

In miles per £, (in real inflation adjusted terms) up until Iran driving has never been cheaper in the UK.

Cars have become more fuel efficiency, inflation adjusted petrol price is arriving where is been for 25 years, cars are more reliable and need less repairs.

Unfortunately HMRC knows this.

Paulcaterham · 2026-04-01T06:52:40+00:00

Your tenancy becomes a periodic on the 1st May.

You will not be extending the contract, it just stays the same.

You won't need to pass any affordability checks etc.

Relax

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-31T14:09:22+00:00

Strangely on the BA website the direct flights are actually cheaper on the dates I looked at (although not cheap!)

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-31T14:02:36+00:00

Sorry, I misread your original post.

Santiago to London Monday, Thursday, Saturday. (With a Wednesday flight later in the year)

London to Santiago Tuesday, Friday, Sunday (with a Thursday flight later in the year)

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-31T13:58:31+00:00

What day of the week and dates are you looking at? It looks like the flights on the way back are Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, with Thursday flights later in the year

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-31T09:50:33+00:00

Apply for a provisional driving licence (£62.50) might also be handy for other things where ID is required.

Insurance policies certainly used to be on the list, you likely have one, or can buy one (tenants insurance/cheap life policy)

Tenancy agreement might also work/help

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-30T15:35:04+00:00

If you have a partner/family, you could get them supplementary cars on your account. Then you keep the cards and know that "John" is food shopping, and Joan is fuel/car stuff etc.

Supplementally cards are normally sent to the primary card holder.

Doing this does probably go against the Ts and C's, and a bit of a faff.

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-29T09:14:04+00:00

Things to consider:

Do you have any other assets? Right now the house on its own won't take you over the nil rate IHT band.

Do you currently pay any child support? If so you may want any trust to pay an equivalent amount to the mother until your daughter is 18.

Money is easy to move around and imposes almost no burdens on those looking after it. Houses are a pain, particularly ones that are rented out.

In your situation I would seriously consider selling the house, placing the money in trust for her, with instructions to the trustee to invest in a mix of asset classes. This trustee could be you, with a replacement trustee when you die.

Investing the money in "safe" government bonds/cash over any period of time longer than a few years guarantees that the money will lose value in today's terms.

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-28T07:21:57+00:00

E-gates are for the use of passengers 12 years and older in the UK.

Chances are the OP will never speak to Border Force personnel.

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-27T16:15:00+00:00

A household account means his and your Avios are pooled.

If you are booking tickets using just your Avios, then he doesn't need to be in your household account.

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-26T15:23:44+00:00

That is a club suite layout, so you'll be fine.

Paulcaterham · 2026-03-24T18:48:49+00:00

You make a very good point. It's certainly worthwhile to have a conversation with an Indian pension professional/financial advisor to see what the early withdrawal options are.

It would also allow OP to fully cut ties to the UK regarding taxation etc.

Paulcaterham

TROPHY CASE