What are /r/HousingUK's favorite Products & Services?

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I don't think there is anything particularly illegal with what you are doing from a planning point of view. Developers submit applications all the time with the same house types just copy and pasted, they would never draw each individual house and they use their same house type plans on multiple sites across the UK. This is not that different to what you propose here.

Come to think of it I have used someone else's plans for my own planning application in the past, although the plans were of the same building.

You may want to do a bit of cutting out of the Architects details with your copy though as they could technically cause you of copyright infringement, although I don't know how many architects would be that bothered.

If you are downloading them off the planning portal though just make sure the scale is correct as sometimes these databases can mess with the aspect ratio of the plans.

Bear in mind as well when this planning application was submitted as well... planning laws have changed significantly in recent years, so the planning law that applied to the other house maybe defunct and no longer applicable to your plans. For example nowadays we have relaxed Planning Laws whereby certain home extensions can be built without the need of submitting a full planning application, under Permitted Development Rights. So just have a double check that what you have planned actually requires a planning application at all.

You can have a go at drawing your own plans using the measurements from the other plans. It is not rocket science and you don't need 100 hours of training in ArchiCAD, there are much simpler programs available, that are a freebie as well, personally, I use Sweethome3D.

Personally I haven't had the heating on yet.

But my home is pretty warm, not least because the next door neighbor has his on at full wack for about 20 hours per day. I've got like a long fleece type thing that goes from my ankles to mu arms and has a hoodie on it. Which is really warm. And I find it great. Cost me about £30 off Amazon. I definetly wouldn't wear it outside of the house. But it's as convenient as a dressing gown. Even if it is a bit dress like.

Oversized Blanket Hoodie for Men... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09PKMJ7YL

Not necessarily. I just bought an extendable curtain rail that fits on the inside of a window sill. It will obviously depend on whether you have enough depth where your window is or not, but it's one option. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MT7NA7B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

IKEA also have blackout blinds that you can stick on your window with tape. That's another option

Doesn't really work like that. You could have a desert like 25% average humidity, but if you have zero ventilation and something causing a cold wall, with drying clothes closeby; then this could easily cause black spot mould to appear.

Other than a dehumidifier the best way to prohibit and combat black spot mould you need to look at HG Mould Spray - that shit works magic on mould...

'Elf n' Safety gone mad.

1. Install smoke alarms.
2. Buy an escape ladder and climb down the damned thing in the unlikely event of a fire.

https://www.amazon.com/Hausse-Retractable-Story-Escape-Ladder/dp/B07NRY6CLT/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.643d1935-59b9-4ec1-86c7-654d6301fd85%3Aamzn1.sym.643d1935-59b9-4ec1-86c7-654d6301fd85&crid=24D1RCOWKZT2N&cv_ct_cx=house+escape+ladder&keywords=house+escape+ladder&pd_rd_i=B07NRY6CLT&pd_rd_r=8b11ccef-cf28-4167-b71a-aaa2f56cd3de&pd_rd_w=DP20X&pd_rd_wg=KLdKW&pf_rd_p=643d1935-59b9-4ec1-86c7-654d6301fd85&pf_rd_r=4GNAT6A6GFRBA584KBWP&qid=1666732554&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjM1IiwicXNhIjoiMS4yMCIsInFzcCI6IjEuNDIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=hause+esca%2Caps%2C109&sr=1-3-a73d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&psc=1

The boomer generation is much, much bigger than the millenial generation. Famously! Some other good resources:

https://medium.com/@ian.mulheirn/part-1-is-there-really-a-housing-shortage-89fdc6bac4d2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cant-Afford-Home-Future-Capitalism/dp/150952326X/

Hardly anyone turns them off as its really not an issue here. If you're worried then pick up one of these.

Something like this in theory is what you're after

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Probrico-Stainless-Exterior-Handle-Security/dp/B07NRX2NDK/

But this stuff is almost never a straight swap, some adjustment with a drill/hammer/chisel is usually required.

Having an adult conversation is usually easier.

I'm also going to try and renew cylinders keyed alike per property (in my case) so I can have 1 key for front and back door for example

eg https://www.amazon.co.uk/cylinder-keyed-alike-reversible-35x35/dp/B085DV9VQ8/

Me and my husband were FTB in Scotland last year.

Congrats on finding a place and getting an offer accepted! Once the maddest part of moving day has finished, at some point you'll sit there and think "This is my house. I own it. If I want to paint that wall bright pink, I can. Probably shouldn't but what the hell." And if you're anything like me you'll then open a bottle of wine and fall asleep in front of the TV.

Other's have given really good advice - I'd like recommend buying a folder (like this one) and organising all of the documents you'll be using by category (e.g. bank statements, utility bills, proof of identity, etc) and then organise each section chronologically. This way you'll be able to easily find any document you need straight away with no fuss. It's only a little thing, but removes a potential stressor from your life.

The other thing is to remember that your solicitor works for you. You can ask them for updates, you can call them if they don't respond to emails. Of course, don't overdo it and send them multiple status requests a day, but don't be afraid of keeping on top of them.

I replaced all my Euro locks with these;

45/55 Nickel YALE Superior Euro Cylinder with 3 Keys Anti Snap / Bump / Pick / Drill / Pull High Security uPVC Composite Door Barrel Profile Lock https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018GUG5UO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W95Q2CTP5661ECJC61C7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Make sure you get the correct ones by measuring the current locks.

It'll undoubtedly spend 99% of its time as a sofa, so your money is best spent on a proper one.

Then get (if space is at a premium, I guess it is if we're talking sofa beds) something like this Intex Dura-Beam Comfort Plush Mid Rise Air Bed Double (Full) Size with built-in electric pump #67768 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BZLPHTC

Can confirm they're pretty comfortable and pack away to a large handbag size

Tottenham is zone 3 so not too far from central London (zone 1), I’d live there, it’s an okay area (depending on who you ask) but it may be difficult to find rooms for that price.

use Spareroom or Gumtree to find house shares/ spare rooms. Also check out r/london.

that corresponds to inflation rate of 2.8% per year, so it's completely reasonable and totally not an issue.

https://www.omnicalculator.com/math/doubling-time

personally, I don't like leasehold and wouldn't buy one that didn't include a share of the freehold and I certainly wouldn't buy a freehold house, but that's a different subject.

In my experience, humidity swings up and down wildly as your heaters come on and off. You'll get a much clearer picture of what's going on with a datalogging hygrometer, and they're really cheap these days.

This one is similar to the one I'm using.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08XYSQTRT/

If that doesn't clear things up, I suggest you run the numbers on the actual amount of water in the air. Google Absolute Humidity Calculator. Compare that to the absolute humidity outside. See if the known sources of humidity can explain the difference between the two numbers in a property of that size. If they can't, you might have a hidden source of humidity.

In that case, try something like This over your windows. If you can feel any air movement at all around your windows, get some foam tape too to seal the gaps. Made a surprisingly big difference to my place for little money.

Insulated curtains help too, though they can cost a bit. That includes over the front door - we've got an insulating door curtain which helps a lot.

Try only heating the room you spend most time in (not your bedroom - you can use lots of blankets there). Then at least you're concentrating your money into one space. Cheap electric fan heaters like This cost a lot to keep on, but heat a small room really quickly. Could make sitting in the evenings etc more comfortable.

Sorry to hear about your mice. I had them once and they were a menace to my sleep.

Instead of wire wool, might it be worth trying something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091D1DHCC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_AEACWA7JKAMAX6VPXCCC

If it can't be resolved, I don't think it's worth sacrificing your sanity for, I would move.

Regarding buying, remember that over time your salary is likely to rise too.

I know us Brits tout home ownership as the be all and end all, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and financial burden and sometimes renting is just easier. Try not to get downhearted about it. At least if your boiler blows tomorrow, you don't suddenly have to find 2k, eh?

Oh I don't doubt it exists at all - my finances have been truly shit in the past, been lucky to drag myself out of it eventually.

My point was that 'debtors remorse' isn't a common phrase / acknowledged state. If i google it the first link i get is a novel: https://www.amazon.com/Debtors-Remorse-Juliet-Harrison-Novel-ebook/dp/B0084QDJIW

Whereas googling 'buyers remorse' gives me the Wikipedia definition and a host of other articles.

I think we're both trying to be helpful, no need to be in disagreement here.

Yeah 3 years of Planning/Property Development Law Lessons and another 5-6 years experience dealing with residential building control!!!

If you have got that good an opportunity of Land available to you forget about containers - I have dealt with something similar in Manchester -At Pollard Yard

Honestly you sound like you are trying to do crazy ideas on a site that will be very profitable as another use... DM me if you are interested.

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Check out Freecycle in your area. It's a website for people to get rid of stuff that is to good for the skip but not worth selling. I've used a lot in the past and usually things are collected within days of being posted.

Edit: Link Freecycle

It really isn't to a fool.

You don't want me buying your re-listed home or educating potential buyers on bringing asbestos contamination into final price negotiations. I've made many sellers sweat bullets and every real estate transaction I've been professionally involved (in regards to asbestos) has netted a significant price reduction. I'm an environmental consultant and asbestos specialist.

My ebook (strictly to prove credentials):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asbestos-Exposed-definitive-identification-including-ebook/dp/B08H2KS528

If you’ve already got your contract in place, you could use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.movrr to notify your existing suppliers. Based on that I’d expect them to be calling you to retain you at your new address - at which point you’d have the opportunity to ask for discounts

All the best and stay safe. I am always here for Redditors to assist with their asbestos related questions and concerns. Feel free to reach out at any time and if you are looking to learn more about asbestos please read my ebook it's free for Amazon Kindle Unlimited members or a low cost educational guide for non-members.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asbestos-Exposed-definitive-identification-including-ebook/dp/B08H2KS528

You are correct that most sellers will not permit asbestos survey or any other invasive survey that may damage finishing in their home. One way around this is to work with a surveyor who will limit damage by collecting samples in areas like light fixtures and other areas that may have a cover to sample behind which hides the sampling area. The seller may accept this as it will be deemed non-destructive and prevents any or all damage.

If the seller accepts this, and the survey results are returned positive, you can almost always negotiate abatement costs into the final offer. Most sellers do not want a failed offer as re-listing the property can seem fishy to other buyers and lower curb appeal. Use this to your advantage. You will have to disclose the asbestos to a future buyer should you wish to sell, if you do not abate it and typically ceiling texture, if left undisturbed and in good condition poses little exposure risk.

If you are looking to learn more about asbestos and real estate transactions, there is a chapter in my book devoted to this. The book is free for prime members.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Asbestos-Exposed-definitive-identification-including-ebook/dp/B08H2KS528

You can likely perfectly safely do everything with extensions and if you wanted, extensions on those.

Most devices these days are pretty low power, with the exception of heaters or things that produced heat (ie kettles, hair dryer, cooking, etc).

You can get extensions with inbuilt power meters. In the past I did this and ran two computers with CRT monitors, TV, audio kit etc. The only thing that bumped the power level up to near full was an electric heater ontop of everything.
Each socket is rated for 13a capacity, so you can have 3120 watts or so per socket. You can check on the back of your appliances to see their rating - but this is typically a maximum rating and in something like a desktop games PC, may have a power supply rated for 900w, when in typical use it's only using 130W say.

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You can get these which are a very quick and easy way to convert 2 sockets into 4 sockets:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BluMagix-Converter-Socket-Converts-Sockets/dp/B005QBF742

However likely they don't want the hassle and potential for recertification etc. You could do this yourself, but while it's very simple to do and can be done with live wires if you're careful and have the right kit - I'd absolutely advice against it. There's also the potential for it to go wrong in lots of ways (including that something else goes wrong and they try and blame you). But should take an electrician under 5 minutes to do.