Falling down around our ears

Good thing we're renting, though I rather imagine that Edward*, our long-suffering landlord, just wishes we would go away.  I don't know if I mentioned this before, but we didn't pay rent for something like 3 months when we first moved in.  We paid the first month's rent to the agency along with our deposit, then turned in our standing order form for all subsequent months (I don't know what it's like in the States these days, but around here, you can't just write a monthly check for your bills, which completely sucks; I hate being forced to use direct debit or standing orders for most things).  Problem was that our standing order wouldn't go through because their bank had been changed and bought out so many times that magic was required to make it work--or paying a month half in advance (as a show of good faith).  The standing order started working right after we cut them a £1200 check, which included the next month.  Joy.

Shortly after we moved in, we ended up getting a new washing machine.  Edward was not pleased, since he told me that the only reason the flat has a washer at all is because when he bought the place it came with it.  But that was part of our rental contract, so he bought us a new one.  The cheapest one he could find, which means no dryer, and it also means that 3 months or so along, the pump is already making questionable noises.**

Now we're getting a new shower.  Months and months ago, Adam and I reported that the dial--our shower is electric, which is not nearly as dangerous as it sounds, and means you never run out of hot water--for the shower was FUBAR.  We could still turn it on and off, but something had clearly broken inside, and we couldn't get it apart to find out what (the screws holding the cover on are rusted and partially stripped).  So Edward and his mate came out to look at it, and decided to order a new dial.  Problem is that the shower is kinda old, and definitely cheap.  Consequently, no parts made for it.  So it sat for ages as we couldn't agree on a mutually convenient time until last Friday, when they came out and glue-gunned it to hold the inside of the dial together.  30 hours later I go to take a shower and it's tight as sin to turn, but it's not slipping--yay.  Unfortunately, it also wouldn't turn off.  Luckily, the screws were no longer in so tight, so I could take apart the shower to turn the water off (this is where an electric shower is dangerous--exposed wires + water ≠ good times, so we're super careful, and glad that the tub isn't coated metal).  So that's been going on since Sunday, but a text this morning promised me a new shower, hopefully installed by Friday.

That same text also promised us two new radiators.  Yeah, that's right; along with the shower we're getting new heating, since the radiator in the bathroom hasn't worked properly since we moved in (I reported it then), and last week the radiator in the living room stopped working.  Completely.  It looks and sounds like it's working, but it doesn't heat up.  Sounds like the element is blown to me, but whatever it is, the electrician was not convinced it was fixable.  So he did some research or something, and for some reason or another, we're getting new radiators, also hopefully installed by Friday.  Since it's working its way to being brass monkey cold around here, I hope there are no delays.  Besides, it's impossible to get the laundry to dry without some kind of heating.

Other than the shower requiring a screwdriver for use, and it's cold in here and there's no heating (except in the bedroom), everything's great.  Oh, except for the stompy physio above us, and the (much more occasional) yappiness next door.

*Name changed to protect the slightly peeved.

**I've not told him about this.  When you finish the post you'll understand why.