My caravan is at my sisters for the time being while it's getting a little reno rescue, but my little camper trailer of previous trips, is stored at my daughters place.
It needs a little repair before I can sell it, so today I collected it from my daughters to take to my son's place for him to repair.
I've always kept it covered with a tarp while it's sitting in the yard, but I found it uncovered and filthy today. They had used it at Xmas, with my permission, and didn't cover it on their return.
Other than keeping it clean, the tarp protects it from the rain, as it does get water in the corners when sitting.
I wasn't game to open it when I got to my son's but I bet it's damp inside and will need a thorough clean and airing before I can sell it.
So, I've learnt my lesson! No more loaning out my rig!
-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 18th of February 2012 06:52:23 PM
Loaning it to them was understood as 'storage fees'. And that would have been fine if they'd covered it again. And it's not the first time. When I broke my ankle they said they'd cover it so I wouldn't have to hobble around doing it. They didn't!
They'd actually buy it from me, but they don't want to pay my price. If I had plenty of money, I wouldn't worry, but I need to recupe some money from buying the Nipper.
When I borrow anything I value the faith someone puts in me to lend anything to me in the first instance. Then I try to look after it better than my own, because I want to be able to look them in the eye and stay friends after I return it. I treated all the rental properties I lived in the same. It was quite an honour to have a land lord or agent begging me to stay, even when I was a single mum with the kids with me. I treated lawnmowers and tools the same way. Anyone got a few thousand bucks to spare? I only need to borrow them for a little while. I promise I'll return them in good order and condition when I've finished with them, whenever...............
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
CG, "I treated all the rental properties I lived in the same."
You would be a rarity now.
Like you, when I was a tenant I took good care, kept the places clean, paid for my own pest treatment and did the minor maintenance. 99% of people did the same. That was how we were raised - to take pride in ourselves. However the culture has changed. Over the last twenty years the tenancy regulations have not only protected the worst among them but encouraged many more to behave the same. The construction and inclusions of modern property cannot withstand modern tenants. The property managers are overworked and exasperated by the large number of problem tenants and the complex, one-sided regulations and duty of care.
First upswing and we get rid of the remainder of our property.
Similar management problems and increased overheads bedevil caravan parks. It only takes a few people to spoil it for others, but there are more of that sort about.
In a past life I was a landlord, probably the worst thing I have ever done.
I was very pleased and relieved when that phase of my life was over.
Never again!!
We still are and know what you're saying Ma. Holes punched in walls, dog cr*p on carpets, bits and pieces missing. And that was with a property manager from a real estate looking after it. I made the real estate agency fork out for the repairs and cleaning and our costs in a motel for a couple of nights because we couldn't move back in till they had fixed it.
When I borrow anything I value the faith someone puts in me to lend anything to me in the first instance. Then I try to look after it better than my own, because I want to be able to look them in the eye and stay friends after I return it.
The funny/annoying thing is, I've heard them complain about others doing them wrong when something is borrowed. Maybe they think, 'oh it's only Mum'....or they don't think at all!
I guess we have all "been there, done that" at some time.
Someone once told me never lend "your wife or anything else you value." Good advice.
If I have the need to borrow something, it will be returned cleaned and maintained, if I have even scratched or made it less efficient in any way, I would replace it.
Same with the landlord thing.
We had a number of properties and after a while I just got fed up with horror days. Told the property management people, the next time I have a hassle from a tennant, sell the house from underneath them.
They have no redress then, got to get out.
Even selling at a small loss, as in "fire sale" I reckon we saved money.
Yes Beth hard lesson to learnt ... My girl's dont like it when i wont lend them my car i will pick them up drop them off take them to get shopping if needed they both have a big whinge ...why cant we drive your car and i say to them just look at yours there your answer ... we work hard to raise our kids then we have to work hard to get thing for us like camper .vans .car ect so we can have some OUR TIME...... Sometime i do think they do have the attuide it only's mums or dads so no need to look after it .....
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The clearest path in life is always the one behind you....
The sense of value and pride are gone. We all struggled to get where we are now in life. We made it a bit easier for our kids by giving them some of the stuff we struggled for. We started with second hand furniture and minimal comforts. They start with a new 4 bedroom home complete with new furniture and fittings, and the best entertainment equipment in the entertainment room. The car is new or a recent used one. The only time they seem to struggle is straight out of school, until they get their own credit rating, and then they're away. There's no shame in repossession. With rental properties they don't have to provide the bond. They can apply for a bond through the state housing. They then feel no responsibility because if they wreck they property they don't get their bond back, but it was never theirs to lose. On the other hand there are landlords who unreasonable, invasive, even stalkers who don't respect the privacy of their tenants. There are 2 sides to this story, and the laws have been introduced because of it. I had to take a landlord to court for stalking and breaching the lease conditions and the laws which apply to landlords. I won when he was told to leave me and my children alone, but he came back to the house to gloat that he won, because I had to tidy up the yard which was a dirt bowl when I took over the property. I didn't extend the 6 month lease. Why the younger generation doesn't feel responsibility to anything, and no respect for people and property has got me stumped.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
I must admit, I've been very lucky with my rentals. The only one I can truly whinge about was one I took to the RTA and lost. Long story.
The biggest problem for me...twice I might add...was that the unit was sold and the new owner wanted to move in.
Where I live now is great. It's a granny flat under the main house which is built into the side of a hill. So I have many steps, which is the downside, but right outside my door is a pool. And I have a spare room for visitors.
I've been here for 7 years now and my landlord upstairs is very good to me. He hasn't raised my rent at all.
I'm so glad I don't have to live in a block of units anymore. Very quiet here on the hill.
And that would have been fine if they'd covered it again. And it's not the first time. When I broke my ankle they said they'd cover it so I wouldn't have to hobble around doing it. They didn't!
