Feeling a bit wobbly today, first of all I'm not feeling too well, and secondly, the energy efficiency report on the house has highlighted some serious problems. It apparently needs 45,000€ spending on it to get it in line with new standards. I've been desperately trying to find out all day the implications of the report, is the work mandatory, will it affect the bank loan... Will the seller reduce the price, all very complicated because of course we're all signed up for it, but this is a totally unexpected outcome, all to do with new legislation that started on the 1st April. No one seems to know the answers.
In my ignorance, I can see that if I spend 45,000€ on the insulation, new heat exchanger boiler, roof and floor insulation, I'll save about 1000€ a year on bills, so in effect, in 45 years I'll have my money back.... Doesn't make sense to me.
The estate agent just said everyone is asking the same questions and no-one knows the answers. The bank manager was sent a copy this morning and he's looking into it. Just when I thought we were getting somewhere. 🙄
I'm really praying it's just a recommendation, a nice to have, something to aim for.... And we can carry on with the sale. Or, the seller reduces the price, although, as we've all signed I don't know how that works. It really comes down to the bank releasing the money given the new information.
I do know there are grants to help, maybe that will be another solution?
Anyway, found a lovely rose in bloom today I thought I'd lost, so I'm taking that as a good omen. 🤞
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Afternoon all, it's got really hot here so have had to get my sunhat out. Just pottered as I woke up with a migraine. Going to see the osteopath again tomorrow as I don't seem to have improved much. Later I tied in a climbing rose, massacred a potted phormium and netted my strawberry stand. Haven't seen any squirrels today, hope the guilty one had stomach ache!
I hate toads jumping out on me, that must have given you a hell of a fright punkdoc. I moved a big pot once (on pot feet) and one jumped over my foot - ugh.
I once tried to sing one of Tina Turner's songs in a crowded pub to my now OH in an attempt to get his attention - I was so bad they turned the mike off! Think it was 'All the Best', still my favourite song. I must have been drunk to even attempt it as I can't sing full stop, am tone deaf and have absolutely no sense of rhythm!
@D0rdogne_Damsel, Think it was me with the MR Hive kettle, we love it.
Jut seen your latest post DD, it must have crossed with mine. First of all, don't panic. I don't think any of the improvements will be mandatory, they are more than likely just suggestions, like our EPC surveys. The Governments are unlikely to force people to have the work done as there will be riots if they do. Some measures may come in bit by bit and as you say, there may well be grants to help out. The biggest improvement you could do is to insulate the loft if that's not already up to scratch. Keep calm and carry on.
@D0rdogne_Damsel. You must be very worried by now. BUT usually these efficiency "tests" are on the seller, not the buyer at least here in Lux. When did you sign?
Usually there should be a buffer period before the law comes into effect. I think you are ok, but you might have to do these improvements if you want to sell. Best wishes @D0rdogne_Damsel Hugs.
Good morning to some and Good afternoon to others.
It started off quite bright this morning, but the sky has clouded over and we've had some big drops. The air is heavy. Montpellier got hail late yesterday afternoon.
I hope you don't get any warts in the nether regions @punkdoc !!
Yes @Lizzie27 Although not on the beachfront. I live just on the outskirts of Beziers about 10 minutes drive to a couple of beaches - a lovely place to walk but a nightmare from about 15th June to about 15th September when it is heaving with sunbathers! The square is the best place to cool down under the plane trees in the summer!
Here is a photo taken at the time of a flower market. And in the evening during summer.
Doh! Forgot to press "post". !!! Enjoy your evening everyone.
Thanks @coccinella and @Lizzie27, grasping at every bit or reassurance at the moment. But, I do think you're absolutely right, there must be opportunities to do things slowly.
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
@D0rdogne_Damsel you don't have to do any of that work unless you are buying the house to rent out. There are grants. Things that will make the house more economical to run can be done gradually. I had my front door changed over a year after I moved in for example, no longer a draft under the door, double glazed, burglar resistant, and it shuts easily now. Just think of the number of old houses that are being lived in and sold in Dordogne. Everyone isn't busily getting all that work done. How long is it now since you made the offer? Took 6 months between the offer and moving house for me.
It was the walker's club 5 1/2 km walk this morning in some lovely countryside. I had been a bit worried about my knee but it was fine. After the walk we went to a local restaurant for lunch. That took 2 1/2 hours. The food was good. I met some new people, and some who I knew already.
When I got home I had a coffee with OH then finished weeding the raspberries. I fed them and gave them a good soak. I'll mulch them tomorrow. It was a lovely sunny day. I watered the rest of the veg garden and some of the beds because of the new young plants. The spinach, sweet corn and purple sprouting broccoli are coming up.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Lovely day here again, I think the wind might have dropped too at last.
Thank you for that information @Busy-Lizzie, more sense than I could get out of the estate agent yesterday. I did put the offer in before Christmas, but with the owner dying it all had to be done again, which we finally signed for on the 11th May. The bank wanting 11 months of accounts didn't help the situation, and then we've had to wait for this report and still waiting for one on the drains, it really just does seem to be dragging out.
If it took you 6 months I'm not far behind, so perhaps it'll all go through soon now. It's all so frustrating, especially with the Charlie/dad access situation.
Trying to stay calm. I did plant up two herb pots yesterday, mint, which we use all the time in the restaurant and basil and chives. Never had much luck with basil, we'll see.
I've entered the local 'Garden's in Bloom competition again, we've won the last two years, hoping to do the same again. (My excuse for having excessive flowers on the terrace at CdeG) 😁
“Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
Posts
Feeling a bit wobbly today, first of all I'm not feeling too well, and secondly, the energy efficiency report on the house has highlighted some serious problems. It apparently needs 45,000€ spending on it to get it in line with new standards. I've been desperately trying to find out all day the implications of the report, is the work mandatory, will it affect the bank loan... Will the seller reduce the price, all very complicated because of course we're all signed up for it, but this is a totally unexpected outcome, all to do with new legislation that started on the 1st April. No one seems to know the answers.
In my ignorance, I can see that if I spend 45,000€ on the insulation, new heat exchanger boiler, roof and floor insulation, I'll save about 1000€ a year on bills, so in effect, in 45 years I'll have my money back.... Doesn't make sense to me.
The estate agent just said everyone is asking the same questions and no-one knows the answers. The bank manager was sent a copy this morning and he's looking into it. Just when I thought we were getting somewhere. 🙄
I'm really praying it's just a recommendation, a nice to have, something to aim for.... And we can carry on with the sale. Or, the seller reduces the price, although, as we've all signed I don't know how that works. It really comes down to the bank releasing the money given the new information.
I do know there are grants to help, maybe that will be another solution?
Anyway, found a lovely rose in bloom today I thought I'd lost, so I'm taking that as a good omen. 🤞
I hate toads jumping out on me, that must have given you a hell of a fright punkdoc.
I moved a big pot once (on pot feet) and one jumped over my foot - ugh.
I once tried to sing one of Tina Turner's songs in a crowded pub to my now OH in an attempt to get his attention - I was so bad they turned the mike off! Think it was 'All the Best', still my favourite song. I must have been drunk to even attempt it as I can't sing full stop, am tone deaf and have absolutely no sense of rhythm!
@D0rdogne_Damsel, Think it was me with the MR Hive kettle, we love it.
Jut seen your latest post DD, it must have crossed with mine. First of all, don't panic.
I don't think any of the improvements will be mandatory, they are more than likely just suggestions, like our EPC surveys. The Governments are unlikely to force people to have the work done as there will be riots if they do. Some measures may come in bit by bit and as you say, there may well be grants to help out. The biggest improvement you could do is to insulate the loft if that's not already up to scratch. Keep calm and carry on.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
It started off quite bright this morning, but the sky has clouded over and we've had some big drops. The air is heavy. Montpellier got hail late yesterday afternoon.
I hope you don't get any warts in the nether regions @punkdoc !!
Yes @Lizzie27 Although not on the beachfront. I live just on the outskirts of Beziers about 10 minutes drive to a couple of beaches - a lovely place to walk but a nightmare from about 15th June to about 15th September when it is heaving with sunbathers! The square is the best place to cool down under the plane trees in the summer!
Here is a photo taken at the time of a flower market.
And in the evening during summer.
Doh! Forgot to press "post". !!!
Enjoy your evening everyone.
@tui34, that looks a gorgeous place.
@D0rdogne_Damsel you don't have to do any of that work unless you are buying the house to rent out. There are grants. Things that will make the house more economical to run can be done gradually. I had my front door changed over a year after I moved in for example, no longer a draft under the door, double glazed, burglar resistant, and it shuts easily now. Just think of the number of old houses that are being lived in and sold in Dordogne. Everyone isn't busily getting all that work done. How long is it now since you made the offer? Took 6 months between the offer and moving house for me.
It was the walker's club 5 1/2 km walk this morning in some lovely countryside. I had been a bit worried about my knee but it was fine. After the walk we went to a local restaurant for lunch. That took 2 1/2 hours. The food was good. I met some new people, and some who I knew already.
When I got home I had a coffee with OH then finished weeding the raspberries. I fed them and gave them a good soak. I'll mulch them tomorrow. It was a lovely sunny day. I watered the rest of the veg garden and some of the beds because of the new young plants. The spinach, sweet corn and purple sprouting broccoli are coming up.
Lovely day here again, I think the wind might have dropped too at last.
Thank you for that information @Busy-Lizzie, more sense than I could get out of the estate agent yesterday. I did put the offer in before Christmas, but with the owner dying it all had to be done again, which we finally signed for on the 11th May. The bank wanting 11 months of accounts didn't help the situation, and then we've had to wait for this report and still waiting for one on the drains, it really just does seem to be dragging out.
If it took you 6 months I'm not far behind, so perhaps it'll all go through soon now. It's all so frustrating, especially with the Charlie/dad access situation.
Trying to stay calm. I did plant up two herb pots yesterday, mint, which we use all the time in the restaurant and basil and chives. Never had much luck with basil, we'll see.
I've entered the local 'Garden's in Bloom competition again, we've won the last two years, hoping to do the same again. (My excuse for having excessive flowers on the terrace at CdeG) 😁
looks like a day of paperwork ahead of me … 🙄 ☕️ ☕️ ☕️
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.