mysticmark

1) I heard from a conveyancer that she has done several such pre-contract deposits recently. 2) Your comment isn't backed up here on The Property Ombudsman website: https://www.tpos.co.uk/news-media-and-press-releases/press-releases/item/pre-contract-holding-deposits#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20if%20an%20agent%20is,or%20retained%20by%20the%20seller.

Hi, What are people's thoughts of asking for a 1/2K early deposit from a potential buyer? How often is this used? What kind of % of sales use this? It reserves the property for the buyer with the agent. If the seller pulls out they get their money back. If the survey makes property unmortgagable or in need of major work (over 10K say), they can get their money back and pull out. If the buyer goes ahead it comes off the agreed price. As a seller receiving an offer, it seems like a big sign of seriousness to buy and the best guarantee against being gazundered. Within last few years it's become more mainstream I've read. Are many agents reluctant? For selfish or for good reasons? What % of sales use this system? Pros n Cons?

I'll try you tmro, Mark

I'm landlord of a flat in Anerley; I live outside London, used to live in E.D. I'm looking for someone with a (petrol) brushcutter (no easy socket), shears, and mower for 1st step to tidy up a quite long ignored garden. For virus reasons, 1 person working alone. Tenant is a doctor, and family, working in Intensive Care. Reply here or pm me. Thanks

Hi, our flat has laminate flooring, on quite thick underlay, then floorboards, then flat below. We want to reduce noise to flat below CHEAPLY. The laminate looks nice, so was thinking a large rug that leaves a bit of the hard floor showing around edge rather than carpetting fully, with a good quality underlay. Any personal experience of doing sthg similar? Thanks

Think I'll go with idea of removing laminate flooring - was a v cheap buy a few years ago - and putting the underlay recommended above and a thick carpet. Any suggestions on where to get a thick 5m x 6m thick carpet in a neutral colour at a good price?

THANKS ALL! Happy New Year!

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In living area of our 1st floor flat we have good quality underlay on floorboards and laminate on top of that, laid by pros - not bodged by me - a couple of years ago. Downstairs neighbour who I've come to care for a lot has said the noise coming through is orrible, and we want to sort out any way we can (within reasonable cost limit) - Will a a layer of underlay and carpet on top of laminate likely solve it? - Better to remove laminate and then more underlay n carpet? - Top-notch silencing headphones as present to neighbour? - Your suggestion please? (is this post in right section?)

If someone recommended here on the EDF doesn't want to give their details to allow you to check their credentials on the gov site of licensed instructors, you may want to wonder why and look elsewhere. https://www.gov.uk/find-driving-schools-and-lessons

We stayed Friday night in the Tulse Hill Hotel - absolutely lovely! Cant recommend highly enough. Beautiful room, v comfy huge bed, sofa bed for kids was v good, lovely bathroom, lots of fluffy white towels and robes, v friendly service and lovely choice of breakfasts.

Or pubs with rooms for a couple of nights?

Coming back to the area for a visit and 2 air bnbs have declined cos owners are in them; are there any hotels / BnBs around? Have tried googling without much success. Ta

Thanks a lot for your advice :)

Hi, We have a house we want to sell next to Horniman soonish that'd benefit from a rear single-storey extension, the likes of which some other neighbours have done so would probably go through ok, (though you never know). To maximise the sale price: Is it worth us the time and cost of getting the planning permission approved to a specific design? Or better to just get some visualisations done by someone, or even just prepare our own brochure of lovely photos of probably feasible extensions? Anyone experienced with this? Agents unsurprisingly say: "Don't bother with that - Sell Now!" Any advice and recommendations very gratefully received, Thanks in advance :)

I hope your partner is recovering well. Pls explain re ambulances, thank you and best wishes.

I wasn't a regular; staff once or twice seemed a bit superior maybe, but clearly you two had a problem there. Great curry surprisingly! And some of the cakes were v good, if on pricey side. But always busy; strange to close a busy place.

Went today and sign in window saying new owner and no longer trading. Anyone heard why? And what's next?

Hi, Fear not, I won't bore anyone with tales of my aching back, but would love to hear of anyone's experiences with ESPH physiotherapists / Grove Vale osteopaths. Thanks

Hi, I got in contact with Nerris thru this site myself, and after today I would rcommend him highly as a skilled, reliable and fairly-priced carpenter. I will be using him again myself for other work I need doing after today. His number is 07875 046753.

Eddie has done v good plumbing and bathroom work for me; tell him Mark from Forest Hill mentioned him: 07715999531

For wife and kids treat. Especially Vietnamese / Thai / Japanese / Chinese / Fusion?

Any particular makes / models in the 600 - just over a grand category that have very good touch sensitivity?

Thanks so much for advice Lorraine. Ive had a look at both models you shared. Are there any other particular models in a slightly higher price bracket which are less portable and in one piece with pedals and a solid key cover that you'd recommend? There are so many its daunting. Do you rate the Yamaha Arius range? Or other makes: Roland? Kawai? Korg? ...

Hey, thank you all so much for taking time out to share some great advice. I'll follow all up and see where ut gets me. Just hope I dont do the usual when confronted with too many options and sheleve the plan! There are a lot of makes and it's hard to judge if famous names like Yamaha are truly out in front or largely a big name. Impressed with the feedback from this forum. Merry Musical New Year to all ;p