I heard from our landlords yesterday about our flat. Apparently they're planning to do some minor maintenance and painting sometime soon. We knew something was up because the management company had been sending around contractors for estimates -- we let them come in with keys while we're at work. They want to "redecorate" the living room and the bedroom, which basically means repainting and repairing some hairline cracks in the ceiling in both places.
The landlords didn't even realize the Russians -- our erstwhile upstairs neighbors -- had moved out, and they've been gone seven months! I guess they're not in touch very much, even though they jointly own the building.
Anyway, we'll see where all this leads. My chief question, of course, is where to put all the houseplants when we've got painters and equipment in the flat. I guess everything will live in the dining room.
Otherwise, yesterday was nothing special.
I hope they wait with the work until spring, so that windows can be kept open to let the paint dry. Also, maybe that would allow you to move some of the plants outdoors instead of having to shift everything around inside.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's my hope too, but they may want to move things along more quickly than that.
DeleteSounds like a fun time ahead!
ReplyDeleteUgh!
DeleteIt is very good that the owners care enough about the property and their tenants to keep up with maintenance.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's true -- better than neglect, I suppose.
DeleteValid points, Librarian and Andrew.
ReplyDeleteVOCs from paint won't do you or your plants any good
They won't but I doubt they'll do any lasting harm. It will mostly just be unpleasant.
DeleteI know that some of your readers struggle with the English language so I thought I would help them out by providing the definition of "perfunctory" which is not a word that crops up very much these days.
ReplyDeleteperfunctory - an action done as a routine duty, without real interest, care, or enthusiasm; it's superficial, hasty, and mechanical, like a "perfunctory nod" or "perfunctory check" that shows a lack of attention or feeling. It describes something done just to get it over with, fulfilling an obligation rather than with genuine effort or thought.
That certainly says it all!
DeleteI've never once in my life had landlords that took it upon themselves to upgrade and improve things while I was living there. Most of my landlords were cheap asses who did as little as they could get away with! Haha. Obviously, you have much nicer digs than I ever did! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time they've taken the initiative, which as someone below said, maybe is an indication they're planning to sell.
DeleteI have lived in a few apartments in my earlier years and not one of them had an ounce of maintenance done to them that wasn't because something was broke, during my tenancy in them. Since all looked pristine when I moved in, I assumed they just did all those sorts of things between renters and not while some were living there. I guess that is a sign they value you and Dave since they are willing to do some of that while you are still there.
ReplyDeleteWell, we've lived there for 12 years, so if anything needs doing at this point they kind of have to do it while we're there! (We don't plan to leave unless they demand it.)
DeleteThat'll be nice in the end -- but I hear you on the plants. I'm having duct work done in February and have to find all the air vents and radiators. The radiators not so hard. But some of the vents are behind large bookcases or china cabinets that can't be moved without dumping the whole lot. And where do you put it? I hope they give you good notice!
ReplyDeleteIt's never easy to have work done in a space where you're living!
Deletebit early for decorating, paint will take longer to dry and airing will make it chilly, you will be inconvenienced, Spring is better.
ReplyDeleteWe'll delay it as long as possible, but I suppose we have to work within the time frame of the contractors and the landlords.
DeleteI'm amazed they didn't know the other owners had moved out. Absentee in that sense even if they're attending to the cosmetics. Unless the decorating precedes a raise in the rent..
ReplyDeleteI know, I'm surprised too! I assumed they'd been in touch over building matters of one kind or another, but I guess not.
DeleteMy first thought was that they were getting ready to sell?? Hopefully it's just a case of maintaining the property.
ReplyDeleteI hope not, but it's certainly a possibility.
DeleteI certainly don't envy you. I really do hate that kind of upheaval even though I know it's for the best.
ReplyDeleteIf it were up to me I'd leave things as they are. I'm not bothered by a crack in the ceiling or a little flaky paint.
DeleteDo you suppose they are getting ready to raise your rent? That's usually how it works out!
ReplyDeleteProbably! Or, as Bob said above, to sell the place.
DeleteNot a pleasant prospect but I'm sure you'll be happy with the results. You do have very conscientious landlords.
ReplyDeleteWe're happy with them and they have been quite responsive when we have issues. In this case, I think the annual inspections mentioned ceiling cracks so they want to remedy that. I'm not bothered by the cracks but whatever.
DeleteWill you have any choice of colour?
ReplyDeleteYes! Woo hoo!
DeleteIt's good that renovations will be done even if it is a major upset for a while.
ReplyDeleteBetter than letting things deteriorate, I suppose!
DeleteSounds like they are getting the place ready for the market. It does seem odd that they are fixing it up and you haven't even asked them to.
ReplyDeleteWell, we have annual inspections and I think these rooms were mentioned as needing some work.
DeleteIt's nice that you have attentive owners to their property. Hopefully you'll have some input on color though I imagine they will justrepaint the same color. Would be horrible if they decided to change it to something like orange.
ReplyDeleteHa! No, they've said we can choose the colors.
DeleteMoving stuff around for painting is a hassle, but it does look nice and fresh when it's finished.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we can live with the inconvenience for a week or so, I guess!
DeleteHome improvements are always a good thing.... once they’re done. You seem to have good landlords. Can’t believe they co-own the building and weren’t even informed that the other owners had moved.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by that too! I assumed they'd communicate! Maybe I should have told them?
DeletePainting makes a nice refresh. Do you get to pick out the paint color?
ReplyDeleteYes, we apparently get to choose the colors.
DeleteYou woke up in the morning...that was special!
ReplyDeleteHa! Well, compared to the alternative!
DeleteIt will be nice once it's done. That photo is lovely - morning or evening?
ReplyDeleteEvening walk home.
DeleteI'm sure it will be nice once it's done ... but yes, some hassle and upheaval.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
No pain, no gain, as they say!
DeleteThey didn't notice the Russians weren't paying their rent? For seven months? Will wonders never cease!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
No, the Russians own their unit. So they don't pay rent.
DeleteHopefully they will wait for warmer weather! Painting and plastering seems better done when it is warm.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that would be better if we can hold it off that long!
DeleteYou have hairline cracks that are being tended to? Some people have all the luck. I have cracks so big that I sometimes wonder if one day the upstairs flat will crash down into mine because the walls can't hold it up! They've been there since I moved in and "sort of" got repaired by a tiny little old Italian who did nothing more than scrape away loose plaster and put fresh plaster in its place, which has since cracked open again, but it's been 14 years and the place is still standing so I pretend I don't worry about it but the living room now has similar cracks....
ReplyDeleteMoving on, I hope the redecorating goes well and doesn't cause too much disruption.
I'm honestly not bothered by the cracks at all, and like yours, I suspect they'll reopen again eventually. But if the landlords want to fix them I can deal with that!
DeleteSo are you and Dave busily comparing paint chips from the hardware store? Honestly, that's a job that's usually beyond my capacity for making a final choice! I can dither until the cows come home.
ReplyDelete