Thanks for the comments - it's much appreciated.
Interesting developments today. As suspected we were called by the letting agents to arrange a viewing and that took place while I was at work and my wife was out with the kids.
Prior to that the agents put up a 'For Let' sign which is a bit odd. I've called them and they say that it's a complicated situation but in essence the owner is trying to sell to friend but is keeping his options open by offering the place as a let. Either way the place has to be vacant by the time our contract ends.
Basically the viewers are being shown round on basis that it MIGHT be available to let. I don't understand - why don't we get the option for the new let?
I'm not convinced we're getting the whole story to be honest. Part of me thinks that the agent has expressed concerns about how well we're looking after the place but it's not easy with three young children. With the owner in the US he's perhaps got jumpy and decided to call time.
The place looks pretty much as it did when we moved as far as I'm concerned but there are a couple of marks here and there but nothing beyond normal wear and tear.
We've had problems with the electrics and have got through bulbs like you wouldn't believe. That's been happening since day one but the agent seemed to suggest that children running around upstairs could be dislodging the fittings.
That's nonsense as she has never met my kids - they were at school at the time - and it was never a problem in our old house which was a good 10-15 years older.
I called about the seal on the cooker going and nothing has been done so it has started to stain the surround. I've also called regarding a problem with the roof in the conservatory which lost a part of the apex in a recent storm. This has leaked water, which they know, and even though a guy has quoted, no-one has fixed it.
When we came here we were surprised to find that there was no washing machine, fridge or freezer so we had to buy all those. We didn't ask about them as they were on show when we viewed but they belonged to the previous tenants.
Also, we are expected to mow the lawn which is fine but we have to provide our own mower. I don't see why I should buy one when I've never needed one since my first place back in 1988 especially as we've been given notice. I had to borrow my dad's at the weekend just so it was nice for the viewers.
I really wish we'd found a way of keeping our own place as I feel like a second class citizen now but that's on hold for the foreseeable future.
One bit of news is that I've been approached about a job today which would take me about 40 miles away but to a gorgeous town. We visited last year and loved it and talked about the possibilities of moving then so it's odd that this comes up now.
Details to come tomorrow but who knows, this may all just work out fine.
Incidentally, I would be able to see the above building from my place of work so that would be nice.
