trizza

Bear in mind that fire regs brought in a couple of years ago mean that you will need to have the staircase to the loft enclosed and there will need to be a fire door as well. Not sure if this would impact on your landing. Neighbours of ours also had to have fire doors fitted to all doors off the landing and hallway (so the victorian pine ones went in the bin...). You will also need a smoke alarm hard wired. It will certainly add to the value of the house, but a loft conversion is quite a major undertaking. Very unlikely you will need planning permission - but check southwark council website. However, you will need buildings regulations approval and it would probably be a good idea to have a word with them sooner rather than later if you are going to undertake it. Good luck!

Not had this precise experience, but "no more nails" or a similar product may well do - especially for shelves (as long as nothing heavy is going on them) - support them with thin slats of wood glued to the wall on which the shelves rest. The slats can then be painted. Try decorating direct.com or similar for a trade product, which may well be stronger than the products you pick up from B&Q. Would not have thought that in built cupboards would have lots of fixings into the wall either, particulary if there are filler panels to the left and right of them that may them look built in - in which case they are basically free standing anyway. In such circumstances, a product like the one described above may be ok as well.

I moved to bermondsey in 2003 (just off tower bridge road- so near elephant) and left to move to ED in October last year. The area certainly changed whilst I was there. The western end is faring better in terms of gentrification - spill over from bermondsey st area. Bermondsey tube area is surrounded by council estates and has not changed that much, although there are new developments cropping up. Elephant in a funny place. Financial crisis massively delayed development and it seems that the awful shopping centre will never be knocked down. Many people got caught badly short buying in the new blocks that were completed in 09/10 and were in negative equity. That said, heygate has been demolished, which is (some would say) a step forward. Other big issue they have there is that the tube is not up to handling increased numbers (no escalators) which is proving to be problematic from a development perspective.

sagatelsagouni Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Did someone really just post a world bank report ? > really what's the point? > > Reading through most of these comments there > basically mostly waffle and nonsense. > > Unions are about people together collectively. > Most people who are anti union are a certain type > of individual, generally selfish and of an > immaturity that screams me me me. > > European law puts the the worker at the centre, it > understands the worker as the foundation to > employment law. This country does not, the worker > is second or even third to profit. Most people in > this country benefit from the unions, many do not > contribute towards this, thats fact. Quite amusing A post that states "most of these comments there basically mostly waffle and nonsense" Then follows it up with the preposterous statement: "Most people who are anti union are a certain type of individual, generally selfish and of an immaturity that screams me me me."

Try the roads opposite/near Peckham Rye park. Dunstans, Friern, Upland, Underhill. Larger footprint than those near the station and you should be able to pick one up for less than ?500K. Getting to Peckham Rye on the bus from Forest Hill road takes less than 10 mins and I have never had any real issue with the frequency of the service.

If you are not the debtor they cannot remove or enter your home. As per advice here - Do not let them in and keep ground floor windows in. Unless it is a criminal fine they are enforcing, they cannot force entry. I would also do the following: 1. Speak to CAB. If they are harrassing you there are steps you can take. 2. Keep copies of all your correspondence with them at your house (more on this later). 3. Keep proof of your ID at your house (copy). 4. If they turn up don't let them in but give them copies of 2 and 3. If they are aggressive and won't move on call the Police.

Loz, I take your point, and would generally agree that a happy workforce = a more productive workforce. Most enlightened employers take this view also and give perks/rights in excess of the statutory minimum - albeit many still don't recognise unions for collective bargaining etc. Granted, there are those employers who don't act in this way. I just don't think there is a compelling economic case to disband anti union law and expand (already broad) employment rights. As far as the RMT is concerned, if the industrial tribunal (who are an independant judicial authority) conclude that the employee is guilty of gross misconduct and the dismissal was lawful then that should be the end of it. If they strike then they are basically saying to management that they don't care about the rule of law and it is the union that decides what is lawful and what is not - a completely intolerable position.

@Chippy 06.54 "increase compensation for discrimination" Employment tribunal awards for discrimination (as compared with constructive/unfair dismissal) are not limited...so not sure how you plan on increasing them. "The law in Germany and France, for example, makes it much, much harder for a company to sack people or simply up sticks and relocate - we just need that level playing field to compete fairly." I just don't understand how you equate "competing" with ramping up employment rights. Are you really just saying that it's just not fair that employees in Germany (and particulary France) have more employment rights? I just don't think there is any evidence enhanced employment rights improves a country's competitiveness. The only evidence in the UK we have of strong unions and weak anti strike laws is the 1960's/1970's and look what happened...

"Look to Europe for some inspiration, and we'd learn that the strength of Germany?s manufacturing industry is driven by high levels of research, investment in training, good government support, fair wages, decent rights and close co-operation with the workforce. If unions work with employers, jobs and businesses can be saved." I agree with some of you comments, but fail to see how revoking "anti-union legislation" would help to achieve much of the above - "high levels or research", "investment in training", "good government support" etc. Germany retooled and retrained its manufacturing industry decades ago. We are light years behind and that really has little to do with anti-union laws and more to do with other factors, such as a lack of concentration on the sector, largely in favour of services. I do not agree thar relaxed union laws lead to higher productivity and generate a substantial economic benefit - look at China, India etc. No or little employment rights, but their productivity is high. Not that I am suggesting that we should model our industrial relations laws on those countries, but it would be amusing to see Bob Crow sent on a secondment to China to see how he gets on... What rights do you think workers should be "given back"?

Chippy Minton Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I'm not defending their action, but I do believe > that generally we have industrial relation laws > that are too tough in this country and that we > should repeal some of Margaret Thatcher's > legislation so we can compete better with Europe, > especially given the current state of the economy > and the fact that strike action in the UK is > currently at an 80-year low. What?! "repeal some of Margaret Thatcher's legislation so we can compete better with Europe". You can't honestly be suggesting that by relaxing strike laws the UK would be a more competitive economy? OR do you want the UK to compete more with countries in Europe in relation to which has more strikes! As an employer, I can say that the UK has strong legislation that protects employees and through the employment tribunal employees have a free way of pursuing legitimate grievances.

I don't believe you can make case to support the RMT. The stock response from Crow to criticism is that he doesn't care what the public think - only what his members think. What's clear is that joining the RMT does give tube drivers disproportionate power. It seems to me that this is because they are quite a militant lot who stand together when called out on strike. They also appear to be well funded. If I was a tube driver I would probably join - why not! If you have a run in with management it seems you can rely on your union to threaten strike action... and then make good on the threat. The problem is, of course, that if the RMT represented workers in a chip factory it would not really matter for ordinary people. However, the RMT can cause huge damage to London's economy. That places them in a position of responsibility where, IMO, strike action should be the ultimate sanction reserved for exceptional circumstances. Certainly not a disciplinary dispute where the matter has not yet been resolved internally and the employee has an independent cause of action against LU before an employment tribunal. Instead, we have a situation where, amidst austerity cuts and nil pay rises for normal london dwellers, tube workers continually get above inflation pay rises and enjoy great job security. Why? The threat of strike action of course... Given the importance of the tube to London's (and the UK's economy) I would support legislation that would outlaw strikes on the underground but, as a quid pro quo, establish an independent commission to set pay and resolve disputes. Wonder what the RMT would do if that was proposed....! I suspect the alternative over time will be that LU try and marginalise the RMT through technology. I understand the upgrades to the signalling on the jubilee line means that the trains could work without drivers - only conductors (like the DLR)...However, can you imagine the chaos with the RMT if LU tried that on (it will be years before they are able to do so anyway)!

You said you are a private tenant, so I presume that your landlord (not you) owns the flat? OR are you a private lessee (in which case the below won't be relevant). If you are a private tenant then you should be raising the issue with your Landlord on the basis you are entitled to quiet enjoyment etc. There may be a provision in your tenancy agreement allowing others to access the property for essential maintenance work but you could still press for a reduction in rent etc. That said, if the works are done quickly then isn't it all part and parcel of living in a flat? If you own the flat then, from experience (I was a director of the mgt company of a block of flats), you won't be entitled to any compensation providing the work is done in a timely manner, nor should you - as Kid Kruger said, it it's in you interests to sort out the leak!

Dulwich college gym is cheap. Equipment is not that great but ok, and has plenty of free weights. There is a pay as you gym company (google it) which covers off other gyms in ED, which could make sense if you just want to go x 1 or 2 times a week

Good call RosieH - Tapas on Bermondsey Street looks great, but it was so busy on Friday I didn't even dare try. May well be doable on a Monday though...

Black and Blue in borough market is decent and won't break the bank - nice tuna and burgers, but steak is never as good as it should be. Garrison on Bermondsey street is far better than Village East IMHO and has a great atmosphere. If you want steak then Constancia (Argentinian) on Tower Bridge Road (5/10 walk to LB) is the best in the area hands down and more reasonable than Gaucho. Magdalen is great and you'll be fine getting in on a Monday evening.

Having bought in ED last year my perception is that asking prices have gone up (I have pondered whether this could be due to a certain agent opening an office on Lordship Lane). For example, we were seeing 3 bed houses for around ?500K, but many seem to be on the market for about ?50 - 75K more now. However, there is so much publicly (and free) available data on sold prices (yes there is a lag of about 2 months on the data but it's not like prices are shooting up by 5% each month...) that you can take an informed view on what a property is actually worth. Zoopla is good because for a lot of the properties it stores the original particulars and you can see these along with the price the property actually sold for. Don't believe the agents' hype! The raw data, taken with the fact you are in a good position (FTB etc.) should mean you are able to make a reasonable offers where you can justify why you have offered the price you have to the agent/seller. My perception (and this is largely based on what has sold on my road/neighbourhood) is that properly priced properties are shifting (with minimal reductions) for around the same price as those that are listed for a higher price (with the buyers getting around an 8/10% reduction in those cases off asking prices). I think ?300K should get you a nice 2 bed garden flat in ED.

You can colour new boards with varnish so they blend in with old boards that have been varnished. We had this done on sections of our floor where the boards had been replaced and it's quite tricky to tell they are new. However, you need an expert to do this. If you have to replace the entire floor then I would go with reclaimed as I think the whole floor would look a lot better.

If we get a wheelie bin for nonfood recycling that would be ok for us as we have no kids and a small food waste caddy. We are also lucky and have enough room for x2 wheelie bins. Many won't be in that position and having x3 wheelie bins just seems crazy. James, is there some sort of link here the recent proposal by the govt that they will subsidise weekly collections for some sort of rubbish? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/may/30/local-rubbish-collection-council-incentive

We are part of the pilot at the moment. Despite being sceptical, I think it has worked well. One thing we have found is that it is the non-food waste recycling that is overflowing within one week, so it's disappointing that the council have opted to reduce the frequency of the collections. What is the rationale behind this change?

Huza Have a look here: http://www.police.uk/crime/?q=Southwark, London SE15 5FZ, UK#crimetypes Looks like in April 2011 there was x1 instance of violent crime and x 1 asb reported basically where the development is. You can see what has been reported around there as well. Why don't you compare this with where you are living with the moment or other areas you have lived. I'm not suggesting the results would be completely accurate but it may give you an idea of the sort of level of antisocial behaviour in the locality.

Is this a spoof...? Some of the videos are actually quite funny - the one of the teenagers generally looking moody and pouting in particular. Don't they know you should smile for the camera?!... The video showing various council estates in and around Dulwich with luminous backgrounds and abbreviated "gangsta" names is quite good. Maybe someone should commission them to do a similar video of residential Dulwich roads. They could highlight some of the issues we have - am sure they could make up something inventive for St Dunstans (dog poo) and the junction of underhill road and barry road (car accidents).

Looks like I was lucky re the insurance then! Hope it won't impact you womanofdulwich.

Doh. Unlucky womanofdulwich. Think the restriction is there to protect the bridge (although the lanes are v narrow too). 3 points had no impact on my insurance.

Presume you were actually done on Tower Bridge (that's the only bit of TBR that I understand is a 20pmh zone). I think there are average speed cameras on the bridge and there is a fairly prominent 20mph sign on the approach. Sorry, but I think you chances of success at an appeal are practically nil. I think you were unlucky. The traffic is usually too bad to go over 20mph. If you just have 3 points it shouldn't really have an impact on your insurance etc.

"No" for me all the way I am afraid. FPTP is transparent,simple and (generally) produces strong governments and I just can't seem that AV we are being offered would offer any appreciable improvement. Not to say that I am opposed to voting reform, perhaps along the lines suggested by some commentators (eg. the Economist) of having say having a proportion of MPs elected by full proportional representation and the balance elected by FPTP. I agree with them that this would still probably produce strong accountable governments.