Thanks for the info Chris
Oh also feel free to just leave the key in the property if I don't get a chance to turn up.
👍🏼
They've just arrived but no warning as asked for I'm afraid.
Ah bugger just about to attend another work meeting.. feel free to have a look round the property.
That's where the water was coming from.
Yes we've seen where downstairs.
It was fairly constant dripping, while I was there. As you can see the bucket has water in it.
Hi Chris I wish you were here with these guys. It's  mystery.  They have the floorboards up and all looks dry around the hole?!!!
We have the washing machine running running at this moment.
Hi Lesley can I phone you in 5 min?
That red tool us pointing out the hole from our end.
Yes that's fine.
Ian's also turned on the shower in the attic and the sink.
Hi Chris please see the message below that I've communicated to our three tenants :
Hi the plumbing guys have just left but I'm afraid they couldn't find anything. In fact we've had one of the floorboards up and it all looks bone dry on the plaster under the floorboards.
You can see old water stains where water has leaked onto the plasterboard but they've all dried up now.
We've left the floorboard  unscrewed (the one that runs under the dishwasher) so if/when it happens again it can be lifted (sorry the dishwasher will need sliding out the way) and perhaps more light shed on the subject.
It's a mystery that even the experts are baffled by!!!
Ian has pinched one if your black bin liners and laid it under the washing machine so you can see if any water collects under the machine although I don't think it will.
Key has been left on the mantlepiece.
Thanks
You're welcome. It looks like it's coming together down there  I can see that it'll be beautiful when it's all finished.
Hello Lesley, we are getting the front door replaced next week (possibly the week after).  I have had 4 additional sets of keys cut, 8 keys in total, for you & your tenants.
(The door has 2 locks).  I am going to drop these off now for your tenants; is this ok?
👍🏼Great thank you Chris
Just checked one of the locks keys don't work so will get them recut and drop them off early next week.
Life is never easy!
Can you send me my share of invoices (for accounts purposes) and I'll pay my share.
Ok finally dropped off the keys to your tenants.  4 pairs of keys.  Hopefully door will be in Friday or early next week.
Thank you Chris. 👍🏼
Hi Lesley,
I've got the builder coming over on Monday morning at 8am. Would it be possible for you to ask if one of your tenants could let him in the main front door. Then I can leave keys to my front door in the hallway. I don't want to leave keys under the front door mat.
The new front door is in now and much more secure than the old one. Thanks Chris
Hi Lesley, my plumber is going to replace the flexible water pipe, (which is the supply to your flat), with a permanent pipe. To do this he may need access to your flat. I appreciate that this is annoying for your tenants, but it should be the last disruption for them. I am trying to organise this for Wednesday. Could you please ask, if one of your tenants will be in on Wednesday if he requires access. Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris, Finlay has said that he can be there from 11am on Wednesday if that helps.
I'm not sure what happened but thank you for helping to resolve a problem with the lock earlier this evening.
Can you send me any invoices I must owe some money by now?
Hi Lesley, yea was a weird one the key broke off in the lock; so we had to call out a locksmith.  It was a key I got cut by Timpson so not impressed with the key quality.  The lock itself is ok (a good quality YALE) I have asked your tenants not to use the top lock until I source more keys.  In regards to cost I will ask the carpenter to provide a invoice for fitting which we can go 50/50 on.  Just a fyi the existing door frame is not level so when using the top lock there is a certain degree of give.. however when used in conjunction with the bottom lock the door is solid. I have Finn's mobile number now so I will txt him. Thanks, Chris
Thank you Chris.
I'll sort out payment as soon as I receive the invoices.
Hello Lesley, my builder while preparing the window has noticed a pre-existing crack between the top of my window and the bottom of yours in the back garden (due to age and Victorian foundations).  We did notice this when we purchased the property.  He has recommended this gets dealt with ASAP.  He has quoted £500 to put ties in.  I have told him to proceed.  Oh also he noticed what he thinks is the source of the leak upstairs, a radiator pipe with water marks on in close proximity to the leak, tonight I will take a photo of the  pipe. Thanks, Chris
Oh yes definitely get that done. We'll split the difference. Unfortunately we don't get to see the outside back of the property so thank you for bringing this to our attention.
And it will be so good to sort out the weird leak if the pipe is indeed at fault.
I've also just heard back from my plumber. They want to come over and replace the temporary water pipe that goes into your flat. They have said that for the duration of the work they would need to turn off the water supply to your flat. They estimate this to be around 5 hours. Could you please ask your tenants which day next week would be suitable for this. Thanks, Chris
Hi Lesley, as I said to Ian I went over to the flat yesterday. I could see the pipe my builder was talking about. I think it's possible this is the cause of the leak. Do you know if the plumber that came over to your flat checked the radiator pipes? Have you had a chance to ask your tenants which day next week would be best for the water to be off? I've emailed you half the invoice for fitting the front door. Thanks, Chris
Hello Chris, I'm pretty certain that the radiator pipes weren't checked. They've got the heating on now, so can you see if it's leaking at the moment which would be expected if this pipe was the culprit??
I have asked the tenants but haven't heard back from all of them. I'll give them another nudge otherwise if you don't hear from me by tomorrow morning please feel free to go with any day next week.
Will get on to the invoices over the weekend.
Many thanks
Lesley
Hi Lesley, the heating was on yesterday when I went over, I could reach the pipe & it was hot. You couldn't see water on the ceiling yesterday, the builder just told me the pipe was wet. The electrician that first saw the leak happened to be there yesterday along with the builder & the plumber. The plumber said in his opinion it's most likely a radiator pipe that's corroded. But obviously no one knows for sure. Regarding your tenants, the builder's just told me he is plastering the basement over the weekend, and this will need to dry before the permanent water pipes can be fixed to the wall, so I think it will be the week after next for the work. Thanks, Chris
Just heard from the tenants but will tell them turning off the water is delayed for a week.
Ian is going to be popping by the flat between 10 and 11 am on Sunday. I don't suppose that you will be around at that time to liase and show him the offending pipe?
Hi Lesley, I should be able to meet Ian at 11 to show him the pipe
That's great Chris. I'll let him know.
Can you tell Ian I am omw just stuck in traffix
Will do 👍
As discussed last month the builder has now put in the wall ties and has repointed below your window (in last photo I sent).  It cost in total £500 would it be ok if I get him to said you an invoice for half this (as discussed)? Oh was the boiler situation resolved? Thanks, Chris
Thanks Chris I wasn't sure what the pic was about. Yes certainly send the invoice my way. Thanks for getting this work done. 👍
No problem
The boiler situation has been a bit of a nightmare but is sorted for now.
We have a home care maintenance agreement with British gas but there was no way we could get hold of them. I had to get an emergency engineer out in the end at great extra cost.
The main issue was the faulty insulation for the pipe work on the side of the building which I am going to have to sort (so I will probably need to arrange access from the back yard if that's ok). The issue was so severe that all the pipes on the side of the building had been blocked, leading to the boiler filling up with water. Consequently there was no way for the boiler to ignite.  The engineer had to purge the boiler of a substantial amount of water as a result. Sorted for now thank goodness but I am looking to find a new maintainance company.
That sounds awful. I did wonder if it had anything to do with the water pipes in the basement maybe freezing. When the plumbers replace them they will be lagged. I think it might be useful if I give your tenants a set of keys to my flat for access/emergencies. No problem in terms of access for your plumber. Just let me know when.
I just found this in my photos of the flat. Is that where the boiler is?
Awe thank you Chris that is very kind of you. It will certainly help if we need to sort out any problems. Would it help  if you had a set of keys for our place. The only problem is that legally I am supposed to ask the tenants permission before entering but I could ensure you had their contact numbers.
Thank you for the pictures. Oh yes definitely a lagging problem.
If you happen to have a plumber around there and they want an extra little job (after they've finished yours ofcourse) that would be great. I'd be quite happy for them to bill me for it.
Funny you shd say that we have plumbers round next week (hopefully). I can ask them to have a look. I guess they will need access to your flat. It's the same guy (Steve) who did the flexible pipe in the summer. So he's actually already been in your flat. He works for WPJ heating just down the road, all gas safe registered. I'll give them a call tomorrow and let you know.
That would be very helpful. I'll approach the tenants about sorting out a set of keys.
Hi Lesley, I've sent the picture of the boiler condensate pipe to my plumber. Did the engineer who came over say what work was required? Does it just need lagging, or replacing?
Thank you so.much Chris. I think that it just needs lagging bit if your guy decided that it actually needs replacing we'll go along with that. Just want to dispense of these water problems.
Good morning Chris, just to let you know we are just about to leave the country now as off to the carribian on a cruise to celebrate Ian's 60th! I think communications will be very hit and miss. Back in the UK April 2nd.
Have a lovely time
Hello Chris,
Back to reality now after our hols.
I was just wondering if there was any update with regards to your plumber sorting out the  condensation pipe at all? Please feel free to pass on my details if he wants to contact me  directly.
Hi Lesley, I spoke to my plumbers about the work. I'm having patio doors fitted in a couple of weeks and currently you have to go out of a window to get to the garden. So I think it's best to get them round after the doors are fitted. They are not very good at communicating, if I gave them your details they probably wouldn't contact you. But their work is good.
Thanks Chris, I just wanted to know if it was still a possibility. x
Hi Chris,
I've just emailed you an email with regards to renewing our insurance. It runs out on Friday! but I only found it this morning in my mailbox (they sent it on the 9th.
Hi Lesley, I've got the plumber coming over on Wednesday to fit my bathroom. I'm just trying to organise him to fix your boiler pipe. Will there be anyone in next week to let him in? I'm not sure which day yet, could be wed/Thurs/fri. Thanks, Chris.
Hello Chris,
I could ask Sophie to give you a set of keys (if you recall we were going to exchange keys anyway). Would that work?
I've only got Sophie there at the moment because Fin has left and I have a new guy (Giles) going through the reference process. Madfi is not well and staying with her parents at the moment.
Hi Lesley, I think exchanging keys is a good idea. I'll find a set and leave them by your door. Thanks, Chris
Good morning Chris,
Sophie now has a spare set of keys for you. You can contact her on:
+44 7904 800237 to arrange pick up.
That should make things easier and you'll have your own set for access (please try to give notice if possible unless of course it's an emergency).
Kind regards
Lesley
Hi Chris, did you manage to pick up the keys from Sophie OK?
Hello Lesley yes I believe my girlfriend is in discussions with the plumber at the moment.