Pulling out all the stops for a house share

When you're setting up a house share, the least you'd expect is for the landlord to be around to help to organise the essentials like furnishing and repairs writes Lea Beven.

However last week I was in that situation, but the landlord was nowhere to be seen.

So combining our initiative with an inflatable roof rack the girls at Limecastle and I thought it best to get everything sorted out ourselves instead.

With three people set to move in with a tight deadline and two more reserved for the following week, it was all hands to the deck.

Especially when we realised that the bed frames we thought we had in the landlords storage were not there!

I looked everywhere for a company that could do me a good deal and provide four bed frames for a professional house share by 4pm.

Nothing, no-one and zilch.

That was until I picked up the phone to Monsterbeds in Telford.

I have to say that Lionel there pulled out all of the stops for us and not only got 4 bed frames delivered by 2pm, he got them assembled too.

What a star. Lionel – we love you!

Although only three members of the house share moved in right away, we have to get everything in right before they do.

So, at the very last minute, not only did we have no bed frames, but the oil tank sprung a leak and the ground floor windows were put through by vandals during the night.

With no landlord available, we had to get all the essentials and Neil the handyman - without him we really would have been in trouble - was on the case of repairs and window replacement.

Meanwhile, John & AJ pulled out all the stops with the oil repair - it really was a spectacular sight!

The property is good to go – just a few minor bits left to finish off, but all three tenants have settled in and have already been for a drink.

I'm aiming for a dinner over the next week or so to iron out any wrinkles, but thankfully we are pretty much done there.

This week my team proved to me that they had it in them to do what it takes and I am very proud.

If you need a reliable team to get your house share up and ready to go fast, don't call me - I'm taking a year off (just kidding!)

And in a change of pace, this week we are going to London for the Property Investor Show, where I am a seminar speaker on shared houses.

We have a stand booked (no 23) and we would love for you to visit us - it's a great event for those looking to become a landlord and for useful networking. See you there!