Hi,
I have been a keen DIYer for several years now. I have rennovated 3=20 houses over 15 years. I can't see how I have caused anyone any=20 problems. All 3 houses are still standing and are much safer, much=20 prettier and much more valuable...
Recently I have tried to move to house number 4 - a dilapidated=20 bungalow. At =A3225,000 it would leave me =A375,000 to do the place up. I=20 planned new everything and an extension.
This is now not going to happen - cos I can't get a mortgage. I've had=20 two surveyors round and one said 'the mortgage company would not offer=20 a mortgage' and the other said 'congratulations, we are pleased to=20 offer you a mortgage of =A3190,000... with a retention of =A3190,000 until=20 you do the following jobs (proceeded to list all the electics, all the=20 plumbing, the roof and the walls!)
As a side issue, I am being hastled by my solicitor because I told the=20 truth on my housemove questionaire. - two windows I had put in in 1999=20
- 'where is the FENSA certificate?' a steel lintle i had put in in=20
2000 'where is the building control notice?' a new consumer unit I had=20 put in by a qualified electician in 2002 'where is the electrical test=20 certificate'... It will cost me a packet just to get people out to=20 check all this... GrrrThe little old lady (in her 80's) who lives in this bungalow I was=20 buying is now going to be disapointed - and instead of getting=20 =A3225,000 from me, she will have to put it to auction or take offers=20 from a developer - which will mean she can't afford the next property=20 she is really wanting.
Is this really a free country? Can this really be the future? When did=20 we ever vote on this? Why do DIY chains exist if you can't use the=20 stuff they sell? How on earth do we change any of this?
Philip