Search found 128 matches

by Emkay
Sun Jul 06, 2025 12:14 pm
Forum: Berlin
Topic: avoiding the middle of the day
Replies: 18
Views: 378

Re: avoiding the middle of the day

Super cooling and seemed to repel mosquitoes too 😊 Slightly odd question, but what does it smell like? It looks interesting, if it doesn't smell like a hospital ward :) (I once broke a TCP bottle in the bathroom and that ruined bathtime for weeks....) Oh, the dreaded TCP….i can smell it now!! This ...
by Emkay
Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:46 am
Forum: Berlin
Topic: avoiding the middle of the day
Replies: 18
Views: 378

Re: avoiding the middle of the day

We use this we got from Amazon ‘SwissMedicus Pferdebalsam mit Hanf - Kühlende Wirkung für Muskeln & Gelenke - gel mit 25 natürlichen Extrakten - Ideal für Sportler - Alltäglicher Gebrauch - Tiefenwirksame Formel’. Super cooling and seemed to repel mosquitoes too 😊
by Emkay
Wed Jun 25, 2025 9:31 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Tablet computer please
Replies: 7
Views: 229

Re: Tablet computer please

Ms daughter used an iPad for her Uni work. She said it was great for notes and drawing. Various models have palm rejection. We’ve bought a few Apple devices from Rebuy.de. You can choose the condition and they guarantee longer than Apple standard. 3 years I think. Having said that, we tried to claim...
by Emkay
Wed Jun 25, 2025 9:17 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: question on our UK let
Replies: 7
Views: 175

Re: question on our UK let

Have the agents said that the husband doesn’t want to stay on the tenancy agreement? If the lady is a good tenant, references are fine other than her own possible income shortfall, maybe ask for a guarantor. Not the husband if he’s not wishing for a joint tenancy agreement. Maybe just a short fixed ...
by Emkay
Wed May 28, 2025 1:00 pm
Forum: Volt, Ampere & Watt
Topic: Utility readings rant
Replies: 10
Views: 2869

Re: Utility readings rant

I can’t get the gas supplier to reduce my monthly payments for my mum‘s former home. They still insist on charging me 250€ per month despite only frost protection since last October and completely switched off since end of March. I’m still having to pay the amount my mum used to to super heat her ho...
by Emkay
Wed May 21, 2025 6:16 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: What Made You Laugh Today
Replies: 695
Views: 390973

Re: What Made You Laugh To

We love Clarkson‘s Farm. Wonder how the new season will be without Caleb? Awful that the UK press have already dissed the new assistant.
by Emkay
Mon Apr 28, 2025 4:05 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

Re: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

The only time some tenants of mine paid in advance was because they were from Hong Kong - when everyone was escaping - and probably would have had difficulty passing the financial checks. They paid the year in advance in full. However, they did this before signing and didn't ask for a discount. It ...
by Emkay
Mon Apr 28, 2025 12:50 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

Re: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

I ended the request by saying that my mortgage doesn’t permit advance payments. Something to do with money laundering etc. All OK now though the tenancy start date has been delayed. I just need to pay more on council tax, utilities etc for the extended void period. I’m very grateful to have an agent...
by Emkay
Wed Apr 23, 2025 6:58 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

Re: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

Thank you all for your thoughts on this. The agent contacted the tenants this morning though until now, have had no reply.
by Emkay
Wed Apr 23, 2025 2:23 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

Re: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

Has the rental contract been signed and the deposit paid? Would they expect to get the discount after the 6 months are up? Maybe frugality is their love language. :lol: Ah yes, frugality might be it. Reminds me of my former South African stepfather. He haggled with everyone, even big stores like As...
by Emkay
Wed Apr 23, 2025 1:59 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

Re: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

Many thanks for all your replies. I just spoke to the agent to ask why they think this request is odd. New tenant signed the full price tenancy agreement yesterday. Agent then issued them with the deposit invoice. Within an hour of signing, they asked for the advance payment discount. Saying, only a...
by Emkay
Tue Apr 22, 2025 7:59 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: ‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant
Replies: 17
Views: 5169

‘Odd’ request from imminent new Uk tenant

Any UK landlords here? Just had a request from my agent that they described as ‘odd’. New fully checked professional tenants about to move in to my UK house in 2 days. Applied and checked over 6 weeks ago. The new tenants have now asked for an 8% rent discount if they pay 6 months on advance. They h...
by Emkay
Mon Apr 14, 2025 2:43 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)
Replies: 10
Views: 3727

Re: House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)

Thanks so much for all replies. It really does seem like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear….I met with the bank‘s energy advisor today. He was very unpleasant and expected to start immediately with a Sanierungsfahrplan. Costs ca. 1600€. Some gets refunded. Absolutely no, I just wanted i...
by Emkay
Sun Apr 13, 2025 7:02 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Are there any sub-forums here that are private?
Replies: 1
Views: 605

Are there any sub-forums here that are private?

Like there were on the old TT? Supporters, Ladies? I think they didn’t show up on Google searches?
by Emkay
Sun Apr 13, 2025 5:05 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)
Replies: 10
Views: 3727

Re: House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)

Many thanks for all replies. I‘ve not gotten very far….Makler values range now from 299k to 499k. I’d guess 310 ish may be possible. Sanierungsberater estimations from 150k to 300k plus. One says definitely don’t go for heat pump, others say definitely do. A KFW loan now ca. 2,3% according to last a...
by Emkay
Mon Mar 24, 2025 4:27 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Selling house through Makler…..what to expect
Replies: 22
Views: 10748

Re: Selling house through Makler…..what to expect

Goodness, since my OP, this has just escalated. Early February, I kindly put this Makler off saying our selling situation is now uncertain. He seemed quite unprofessional I today received an email from the Makler saying he’d like to issue me an invoice for 1000€ plus mwst for his advice asking if I ...
by Emkay
Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:16 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)
Replies: 10
Views: 3727

House renovation experience/Förderungen (grants)

Does anyone have any experience of renovating a house and available energy efficiency grants? I’m still not sure about selling my mother‘s house that I inherited. Or, renovate and let for future security. It’s a 1911 solidly built house and lot would need doing….heating, windows, insulation etc. I’v...
by Emkay
Wed Feb 26, 2025 10:18 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Why are you unhappy today?
Replies: 111
Views: 146266

Re: Why are you unhappy today?

So sorry, emkay. Beautiful photo. Thank you bramble. When we still lived in the UK, we went to the RSPCA to adopt a cat when kiddo was 6. We were shocked that they said that people didn’t want black cats. The reason supposedly being that they aren’t photogenic for selfies, ruined light coloured fur...
by Emkay
Wed Feb 26, 2025 5:34 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Why are you unhappy today?
Replies: 111
Views: 146266

Re: Why are you unhappy today?

We’re heartbroken that our sweet Nelly died today. Super loving until her last moment……
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by Emkay
Fri Feb 07, 2025 3:06 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Inheritance tax and German citizenship
Replies: 5
Views: 3539

Re: Inheritance tax and German citizenship

I enquired after my mother’s death. If you inherit a little over the 400k€, the tax rates increase relatively minimally over the tax free amount. Some costs can be deducted such as funeral costs, debts of the deceased, estate administration costs, property maintenance prior to transfer to heir etc. ...