muffins78

Yes I'm waiting to get through too but no luck! I can't make or receive calls either on landline! I hope they compensate - the whole service costs a lot as it is!

Yes down again - that's really bad!!

Hi, I just want to add another recommendation for Jon Peck - this is the third time I've used him. Twice for my personal flat and last year again for doing a buildings valuation and to observe building works taking place in our block of flats. He's straight-talking, explains with clarity, he is very responsive and his rates are very reasonable. I'd highly recommend him. He covers: ?Valuations ?Building Surveys ?Homebuyer Reports ?Defect Analysis ?Specification for Repairs ?Contract Administration ?Party Wall Matters ?Landlord and Tenant His details are [email protected] and number is 01732 866909.

I had a look at the site, they offer the same type of services as a traditional high street managing agent. We had our right to manage etc in place for our last agent, it was exasperating and I spent more time in communication with them. I'd suggest you find someone who's used them, and if they are good - I'd be interested too - but on the whole look at what you can do yourself and what you'd like them to do. For example the company secretary tasks are simple. The buildings valuation only needs to be done every three years. If you get a fire health and safety report done, you could use that as a means to establishing annual health and safety checks, with some additional points which I could help you with. Also, important to note, our previous agent engaged a surveyor for buildings insurance valuation. Recently we had to get a new one, and we were shocked to find out the agents surveyor calculation was significantly different and we were massively under insured. I could write a book :) :)

You can ask for every invoice for each item of expenditure. We used to use a managing agent and we now self-manage. I believe a previous agent charged for intercom costs that were never incurred and further confirmed by our intercom system company. As much as self managing is hard work, it's cheaper and more reliable. You know exactly where every penny goes and what state your building is in.

I had some standard responses to the email and follow up email I sent to the post office, really disappointing. Initially failed to answer my questions directly and then said at a cost I could have parcels dropped off at other post offices locally (if those post offices were partaking). Consultation based on my experience means decisions have been made and I think their approach is distasteful to their customers. Their initial email drew out how they would look after their employees, which I found rather silly to draw out given they are required by law to do xyz, so no, they are just doing what they need to, rather than benefit employees - and have no regard to the community.

I was looking to sell my property and like you, was so put off by the fees. I had a few agents around, then due to personal circumstance I put the sale on hold. Based on the feedback on the forum, I met with No Flies. I really liked them, they were super professional, realistic etc and when the time comes to sell again, I won't hesitate to use them. I hope this helps

Hello, I'm just wondering whether people can recommend a groomer who looks after their long haired dog(s)? If they've looked after Maltese dogs, all the better :) I've had previous bad experiences with my last Maltese (not in London), so I wouldn't want mine to come back scalped etc, unless I wanted the puppy dog look. On looking at the internet, it says the person should be City and Guilds qualified for such dogs!! Thanks for any help or recommendations :)

I've written now too - thankS for sharing the details

Hi, I hope you can help please with some recommendations on people you've used to help with your dogs. Ultimately it would be someone who could visit two little dogs during the day for a short walk and cuddle (I don't want them walked in groups and they don't need massive walk in the park). Occasionally I will need help with boarding, again preferably without other dogs. I need someone reliable and who loves dogs, so really only want to hear about your experiences (if there are ones to avoid please PM). I would really appreciate any help or recommendations - please feel free to PM me too!! I'm based on Underhill, the forest hill end. Thank you

If anyone is going to Gatwick on Tuesday morning - leaving at 9am latest from East Dulwich - and want to share a taxi a please let me know - given the latest strikes announcement :(

I never checked when they took my payment - but I think I sent it 14 July! So if that helps you :) Good luck :)

Just a FYI, that I got my permanent residency card today - it took 3.5 months for those who are waiting for theirs :)

Hi - we had the same problem and our neighbours etc got in touch with other neighbours on the road to see if anyone had any indicator - but no-one had. In the end, we just came to a mutual agreement. So if your neighbours can agree with their neighbours etc., about the responsibility, you'll all be able to take responsibility for one side!!

That's fab - do you know where you can get it?

Just a refresher - in case it helps and an article that was kindly written http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/thieves-strip-scaffolding-house-daytime-raid/

They cut me off after 50 minutes - and can't log issue by mail. It's really annoying.

My neighbour spoke to them - I'd suggest you ring them if you haven't as they've tried to tell him it's our buildings problem rather than Thameswater. I'm on hold to them now - at least I can see your posts to quote :)

I?d like to recommend our builder who is in throes of completing the outside and inside of our period conversion block of flats. We spent ages trying to find someone, through the forum, colleagues, friends, contacts, websites etc., and we were lucky enough to be introduced to Mark. The work so far is beautiful and we can?t wait to see it all complete. His team are polite, friendly, helpful and hardworking. I am putting this up before the work completes this week, only as he normally isn?t in this area, and if anyone is looking for a builder, it may be someone that you might want to meet. We had a surveyor around last week and from ground level he said the work was very professional. At that point, he could not go on our scaffolding as it was unsafe (see previous post where our scaffolding was stolen). If you have any questions, or would like to see the work so far, please feel free to contact me. Please know it is not complete and scaffolding fiasco put us behind on schedule. Further recommendation would be that a few of our flats are asking him back to complete personal works, and next year we have requested him to quote for further building work we need to undertake. Mark?s number is 07958 088 677 and let him know it was our recommendation.

I am only catching up on the thread now - and yes the police will know about the markings etc.. I'm not happy about any finger pointing in the sense of the travelling community. Every group/community etc have the same problems, as well as many great and positive attributes.. I don't specifically know any traveller family, but I do know people who do, and know them very well. They have nothing but high praise for them and the respect they show to this person and his business. And I am certain, no mind him saying this himself, they are more respectful after they use his services and go beyond the call of duty, where other groups/communities don't do anything at all in the same situation. I'm sorry if I am vague, but its true in its capacity. He won't be unfamiliar in his role on the tv programme they did on C4 or C5 about the travelling community. Thanks for any feedback regarding the scaffolding and just make sure yours is safe :)

I have no idea - except it wasn't metal collecting, as ive left metal post box things outside for anyone to take - no-one has!! It was a mixture of the poles and the wooden things that was taken!!

Another recommendation for Shaun, he did work on my flat, was super quick, great communication and very tidy!! We also used him for some electrical building works, and again, the same as the above, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.

I just want to add my thumbs up for Jon, he's lovely. He did a valuation for my property when I was redeeming some of the government loan in it - and this week, he did a survey for our building for buildings insurance purposes and also a review of building work we are undertaking. He is really quick, efficient, explains everything and simply helpful.

Hi, I just want to recommend our scaffolder who looked after our rather large property. Gareth and Billy of BST Scaffolding. I found them on Checkatrade and mainly dealt with Billy. They are great at communication and very fair, and all the team who were on-site doing the work were really nice/polite and not noisy or anything like that. All very professional and don't hesitate to recommend. They made things easier if anything. You'll see from my other post, their scaffolding was stolen from ours aswell and how they managed that was exemplary. Any questions, please ask!! Billy's number is 07494447079 - please tell him it was my recommendation We looked ages for our scaffolder and builder!!

Hi, I posted on Monday regarding scaffolding without providing any detail, in case the police would rather I didn't. Our scaffolding was stolen on Monday, in broad daylight, around midday/lunchtime, at the Forest Hill end of Underhill Road. Just in case anyone saw any scaffolders making a lot of noise, breaking things and removing scaffolding from a house?!? We were completely shocked and our scaffolder was quite upset naturally - they are expensive materials. We didn't have an alarm at the time, as we had been told that they are sensitive - but given what happened on Monday, I wish we had installed it from the beginning. Also, just make sure if your builders are not going to be around on any given day, that someone knows and is there to watch things. Apparently this isn't uncommon! If anyone has CCTV around the lower end of Underhill or the surrounding roads, we'd really appreciate if you could check Mondays footage for a scaffolding truck/van, two to three people - I don't have a colour of the truck - but they were up to no good around lunch time. They also caused damage to our property. If anyone has had scaffolding completed on Monday/Tuesday or even today, I am not saying you have stolen scaffolding, but if you are willing to allow our scaffolders to have a look around that would be amazing. They have driven around the area but no luck. They have the scaffolding tagged so its quite easily identifiable. Thanks for any help - and hopefully it helps you out with your building works!!