As an ex-student I know how difficult it can be to find a good place to live. While on an arts course in Kent a local landlord took a group of us to view a tatty old ex-corner shop. Grubby matresses were scattered around the floor, the place hadn't seen fresh paint for twenty years and it smelt nasty. It was a complete tip.I made a rapid exit and didn't even stop to tell him where to stick it.
I spent the next three months sleeping on an old sofa-bed in a converted attic. The landlady who 'knew someone in the Student Accommodation department.' was referred to by her tenants as crazy Nell. The next place I moved into was a shared house. I got the room with the mushrooms growing from the damp patch on the ceiling. The landlord had rigged a £1 slot meter to the electric shower. You got just 3 minutes of hot water, so you showered quick or you stayed soapy. Luxurious it wasn't.
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It was about that time that I discovered that you can't 'bulk up' a small portion mince meat with a large handfull of green chilly peppers I drank a lot of water that night. My cooking has improved a little since then.
Anyway, I've been there. I passed the exams and was lucky enough to land a good job. The money rolled in and just as quickly rolled out. Everybody wanted a slice. The tax man the, insurance man, the mortgage company, the pension fund, the list is endless. It wasn't long before I got the feeling that paying into a private pension (and some other saving schemes) wasn't that different to being mugged. So, instead of giving my wages to someone else to 'invest', I bought a house. I decorated it from top to bottom, put in a new kitchen, new bathroom, new carpets, and so on, until I though 'yes! if I was a student again I would really like to live here.' |
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That's how it all started. I didn't enjoy living in dreadful 'digs' and I can't imagine anyone else does. And that's one reason why 'quality' is so important for me. When I look at a house I'm supposed to rent out (either one of mine or another landlords) I think, 'would I be happy to live here?' If the answer is yes then I'm happy to rent it out. If no, then it gets fixed up until it is good enough.
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I like win/win situations. A top quality place to live may cost a bit more than some grubby slum but the people who stay there have a nice place to live and the person who owns the property gets good tenants who respect the place. Every body wins.
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Happy house hunting,
Alan Mardell. |
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If you have any questions then please click here to contact me. |
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