Woo!
I am particularly chipper today as me and DiT got the flat we wanted and are allowed to have a dog and also paint the place - which is pretty unheard of when it comes to renting! Currently I am all about dogs and paint colours!

What are you obsessed with at the moment?
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:11, 53 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I need to move out in January,
I should start looking.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:14, Reply)

Yeah it might be a good idea
although don't listen to estate agents, they were telling me two weeks ago it was still to early to start looking for flats. They wanted me to wait until four weeks before the moving date - I thought this was a bit mental!!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:17, Reply)

It shouldn't be too hard to find a place around here,
there's not as much competition as there is in London. I need to save a deposit though and all that crap.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:19, Reply)

That's a very good point!
Awww deposits suck! :(
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:21, Reply)

Yep, especially as you almost certainly don't get them back
I fucking hate landlords.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:24, Reply)

From my own experience,
most landlords and estate agents will just try it on and keep part of your deposit on the assumption that you won't fight back. There are three important things to remember:

1. They're not legally allowed to take any part of your deposit without warning you first.
2. Strictly speaking, I don't think they're allowed to take it out of your deposit - I think they're supposed to give back the whole deposit and then send you invoices for any cleaning or repairs they think need doing
3. If you write a suitably outraged letter, they will, more often than not, realise they've been caught out and sheepishly give the rest back.

Well, it worked the last time the bastards tried to take £400 off my flatmates and I for "cleaning..."
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:28, Reply)

I think you're right
So long as you haven't set fire to the living room or anything else that drastic then they should give you a bloody good reason for taking your money.

Fingers crossed they won't try and take anything from us this time around!?!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:31, Reply)

These days they aren't even allowed to take your deposit and earn interest on it
it should sit in an escrow(sp?) account and in the even of a disagreement between you and the landlord regarding damage etc there is an independant adjudication thing now.
(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:34, Reply)

Fingers, toes and testicles crossed on your behalf
Because although it doesn't normally take too many shouty letters to make them give it back, it's one additional headache that you really don't need when you're trying to move.

(e.g., when they replied to my email to explain that they'd taken a chunk off our deposit, I had to go and have a walk round the department for half an hour or so and then sit down with a cup of tea before I was sufficiently composed to write a suitably British email of complaint perfumed with sulphur and brimstone. Got a sheepish reply within an hour and half_{; just as well, as if he'd argued back I'd have gone and bought a HONDA ACCORD specially so I could drive it through the plate glass front of his office and pin him against the wall! And hit him! More than once! GRRRR!)}
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:37, Reply)

Hehehe
Thank you muchly, hopefully we'll be fine and dandy. They tried to get us last time because we didn't clean the fridge, doesn't matter that the rest of the flat was gleaming and when we moved in the fridge contained very very dead orange juice, half a pizza and smelt of salami. Bloody bum heads!

I am pleased that you didn't have to whip out the HONDA ACCORD OF JUSTICE!! :)
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:46, Reply)

Cleaning is always the most contentious
as the average decent tenant leaves the place in a better state than that in which they found it. "Professionally cleaned," my arse, in many cases.

How rude of me, I never answered your original question: I'm currently obsessed with David Gilmour's Live in Gdansk album. A bit of classic atmospheric prog rock with absolutely glorious guitar playing. Certainly helping to distract from this morning's tedium.
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 12:11, Reply)

If you moved in within the last couple of years,
you'll be under the protected deposit scheme which is all of the good, and takes away most of their opportunity to rip you off. In my last place I had the worst landlord ever, but just mentioning that I was aware this thing existed had a cheque in the post immediately.

www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/DG_066373
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:39, Reply)

Ooooh
Clever! Thanks for that, I might print off a copy and just leave it around the house when they come for an inspection. I've already told them I work for a 'law firm' to shit them up... doesn't really matter that they don't deal with the relevant sort of law. Mwahaha!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:44, Reply)

My favourite bit is that, if they haven't protected your deposit like they're supposed to,
they have to give you triple the amount to say sorry. Muhahahahahah.
(wellgroomedwookiee is a filthy-minded hobgoblin, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:49, Reply)

a band called Tractor

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:14, Reply)

Hehe
That's an ACE name for a band!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:18, Reply)

an ace name for an ace band
They were brilliant. Their first self-titled LP on John Peel's Dandelion label is a revelation.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:27, Reply)

Cool
I will have a look - thank you face puncher! :)
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:38, Reply)

going home from work because I feel quite shit
can't decide whether to go or not.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:15, Reply)

Aww
Well if you're not feeling right then its probably best for you to go home! Do your work get funny with people when they ask to go home sick?
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:20, Reply)

naa, our work is pretty good for that sort of thing
only trouble is I have to get the bus, and as the stupid park and ride buses don't stop near my house between half 9 and 4 I have to get the bus into the city centre and then walk home. fine now because I just have a bad cold, but when properly ill it really sucks.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:25, Reply)

That's cool then - I would suggest calling it a day then mr!
If you walk home then at least you can stop on the way and pick up some cold pills and also yummy food to keep you happy when you're at home on the sofa!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:29, Reply)

this is true
I could get a pie from the pie shop.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:32, Reply)

Or a croissant from the croissant shop.

(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:34, Reply)

Hehe
Indeed
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:35, Reply)

there aren't any between the bus stop in town and my house
:-(
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:36, Reply)

You'll have to break into your emergancy croissant supply then

(Bazongaloid, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:39, Reply)

In case of croissant emergency
Smash glass
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:41, Reply)

heh
that'd be good.

as it is I think sitting down with a hot pie in front of a roaring fire with a pile of good books will have to do.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:42, Reply)

Sounds like a plan!
I always like tomato soup when I'm ill, with really crusty bread... although I really fancy a steak and ale pie now!! :(
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:47, Reply)

steak and ale is the pie of champions
I bought some salt and pepper tiger bread from tesco yesterday. it's fucking awesome!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:55, Reply)

Every time I go in the bread aisle
I see the tiger bread and I'm tempted. Never tried it though.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 12:24, Reply)

Dooooo it
Its a-mazing!! :D
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 12:42, Reply)

it's really good
I can't believe it's taken me an hour to get home.

fucking buses. I should've just walked.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 12:59, Reply)

Tomato Soup
With a pie in it. This is awesome, trust me. Not fat by accident.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 19 Oct 2009, 17:08, Reply)

Sex!

( girlinthehole, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:15, Reply)

Easy
Tiger!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:21, Reply)

It's ok.
I only pounce when invited.
( girlinthehole, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:24, Reply)

Haha
Good to know!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:29, Reply)

And then only when it has PSVP on it
Pouncez s'il vous plait.
(The Light in Chain not really, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:46, Reply)

I've got to admit, I find it a bit odd that this is the first place you've rented where you can paint and have pets
either that or I've always been pretty lucky. Either way though, WOOOooooOOOo :)

I'm currently obsessed with completing my portfolio and studying for my exams next month.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:17, Reply)

Haha
I think you have just been a very lucky lady! :)

WooooOOOOOoooooo is right! Can't wait!!

Oooh hows the studying going?
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:19, Reply)

Not too badly I guess. I did two mock exams on Friday and did really well on one paper and failed horribly on the other one.
but I know which areas I need to focus on :)
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:23, Reply)

Cool
Like you said, at least you know what you need to focus on now so that's good news! :D
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:26, Reply)

Yeah, but it's also a little worrying just how little I actually know
Mans the fuck up. It'll be fine.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:32, Reply)

I'm sure you'll be fine lovely
Just cram, cram, cram and drink a lot of Red Bull and you'll be away! :D
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:34, Reply)

Pokemon Diamond on the DS.
It's strangely addictive.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:27, Reply)

Hehe
I haven't played any of the Pokemon games, are they fun?

I have got the new Prof Leyton(?) game but I've lost my charger and the battery is nearly dead so I can't play it at the moment! :(
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:33, Reply)

Yeah, they're alright.
Kinda reminds me of Final Fantasy 3 in its exploration and battles. I'm enjoying it for now anyway. I'm definitely up for one of the Prof Leyton games - they look great.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:35, Reply)

Ah fancy stuff!
The Prof Leyton games are fun, although every now and then I'll get a puzzle which I find impossible, then I'll cheat and get hints and it'll end up being so stupidly easy that I have to turn off the game so I don't throw my DS out a window! :(
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:40, Reply)

cyclo ds
a must for anyone with a DS, enables you to play, 'back ups' of your favourite games, and you are limited to how many games you have only by the size of the micro sd card you have, a 6gb card will hold about 150 games or so.

The Korg softsynth is great fun, very powerful as well.

www.cyclopsds.com/
(Cancer Joy was short lived, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:41, Reply)

Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook
is also addictive. There's a 60 second time limit on a game, so how come I always end up playing it for 20-30 minutes?
(The Light in Chain not really, Mon 19 Oct 2009, 11:47, Reply)

That game is stealing my life
And I'm obsessed with reclaiming my place on the leaderboard as champion after my unbeatable (I thought) score of 185,250 was beaten by a teenage girl scoring 225,550. Bah.
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 7:59, Reply)