NationStates Jolt Archive

Basic lowdown: I live in a flat where the bills (gas, electric, and water) are included in the rent, but the supply of gas and the supply of electric are both limited (I think it's like £30 worth of electric and £40 worth of gas per month, paid for by the landlord).

If we go over the limit, the gas/electric runs out and we have to pay extra to top it up. However, there are only 2 people besides me in the flat, and there is a "timer" function on the switch next to the boiler's "on/off" switch. When the timer is on, the "timer wheel" can be set so that it switches its self off every so often, for a certain amount of time (for example, every hour, for one hour).

My room is absolutely freezing (probably why it's so cheap - £40 a week) so I leave the boiler on at night, with the "timer wheel" set so it switches its self off every so often - because it only switches its self off for a certain amount of time, it means that my room doesn't get really cold, as it remains warm for a while even when the heating is off. It also saves gas, as even if I sleep for 8 hours, the boiler is effectively only on for four hours due to the timer. I've also lived in a flat before where the electric and gas was on LOADS, and used less than a fiver a week, wheras the boiler is not usually on during the day much at all - just for showering and washing pots. HOWEVER, if the boiler is off for a long time, my room gets so cold that I wake up.

But one of my flatmates (Ricardo) is very unreasonable. I explained the situation regarding my room and the boiler to him, and he acted as though he accepted this. Yet he constantly switches the boiler COMPLETELY off at night, and last night I woke up twice in the middle of the night, freezing like a snowman. I got pissed off and made as much noise as possible to wake up the residents (though I feel sorry for the resident who does not keep switching the boiler off), but I'd rather just be able to get a good night's sleep and I don't want to argue (again) with Ricardo, or wake up the other guy again, as it's not his fault, it's Ricardo's. I could, if I was that way inclined, have him stabbed by a mate (I live in Salford and have quite a few dodgy friends) or have him terrorised (but I am in no way suggesting I would do any of those things) and have reminded him that if it was anyone else from Salford who had to put up with this shit, he'd probably be stabbed already.

I want to find a peaceful solution though, but considering the fact the manager and the landlord both basically ignore problems that are reported, I doubt I'd have much success talking to any of those.

So any tips on what to do? I'd prefer not to end up threatening him or getting a few dodgy mates to do whatever to him.

Oh and on a side note, anyone know a humane way to get rid of wasps? I reckon Ricardo put them there to try to scare me (though f*** knows where he got em from) as they suddenly appeared later in the morning. I'm not particularly bothered about them as I'm not scared of wasps or other stinging insects, but they are a little irritating with their flying all over the place and making constant buzzing noises (only a little irritating).

Set him on fire. That should work for the wasps too. I doubt the landlord wold like it though.

Before having anyone killed I think I would consider moving :eek:

Kill.

hit the wasp nest with a stick and run! (or better yet gas the fuckers)

and I suggest kicking Ricardo's arse

Before having anyone killed I think I would consider moving :eek:

I'm considering that, but I need to save up a deposit and I need a place that asks for a low rent.

You are in England and it's cold enough to need to heat your room at night?

WOW I am in England too and have the window open all night and no heating on at all yet. It's been really mild.

I would recomend that you do two things, buy another cover for your bed and speak to Ricardo or whatever his name is and say that you have done that (show him the cover) but say that you would still like to have the boiler come on two or three times in the night, as a compromise. Or maybe he could swap rooms with you? If he has a problem mention the fact that he must like it cooler than you do and that the room is cold.

You could get another duvet and a nice fluffy blanket. Would save gas, too.

Or just kill your flatmate. Cheaper short-term, more expensive long-term.

Whichever, really.

Get some really warm pyjamas and a good quality duvet - this means that you won't need to the gas on so much.

You could also just run the taps when they're having a shower and make it scald/freeze them a bit, but that's rather unfair.

You are in England and it's cold enough to need to heat your room at night?

WOW I am in England too and have the window open all night and no heating on at all yet. It's been really mild.

I would recomend that you do two things, buy another cover for your bed and speak to Ricardo or whatever his name is and say that you have done that (show him the cover) but say that you would still like to have the boiler come on two or three times in the night, as a compromise. Or maybe he could swap rooms with you? If he has a problem mention the fact that he must like it cooler than you do and that the room is cold.


I second the idea of asking him to swap rooms with you. If he has a problem with that, THEN you kill him. ;)

Fart like crazy.

Check to see if the boiler is on before you go to bed. Make sure he goes to bed before you so that you can make sure its still on. Or, if you really need to get to bed before him use the cohabitee's best friend, the smarmy post-it note, something along the lines of 'ricardo, do not touch the boiler, i do not wish to have my nads frozen off'.

Failing that, you could get an electric heater.

I just moved out on my recent roommates because they were driving me nuts. So where do they spend all their time now? At my house.

You are in England and it's cold enough to need to heat your room at night?

WOW I am in England too and have the window open all night and no heating on at all yet. It's been really mild.
What is it with women leaving the window open all night even when it's bloody cold?

I've not needed the heating yet, but I do have a duvet and an opened sleeping bag on my bed (I get cold when I'm not moving!) and the windows are firmly shut.

wank like crazy.

keep ya warm aaalllllll day :)

What is it with women leaving the window open all night even when it's bloody cold?

I've not needed the heating yet, but I do have a duvet and an opened sleeping bag on my bed (I get cold when I'm not moving!) and the windows are firmly shut.

not just women. i leave my windows open at night, always have. my gf doesn't and gets too cold...

hell, the only time i close them is when it rains lol. even in the dead of winter i'll probably still have the windows open a bit :p (i hate stuffyness:mad: )

not just women. i leave my windows open at night, always have. my gf doesn't and gets too cold...

hell, the only time i close them is when it rains lol. even in the dead of winter i'll probably still have the windows open a bit :p (i hate stuffyness:mad: )
It must be just people with long hair, then ;)

I think it's Women of A Certain Age. My mum's terrible; "It's too warm in here!" as she skids on a patch of dry ice.

one of my old flatmates was annoying with heating, she used to set the thermostat in the flat to 10 degrees whatever time of year it was or she'd set the boiler to go off at the same time it came on so it never came on, or she'd come through from her room the minute she heard anyone turn it on just to turn it off again without saying anything to anyone. she had an electric heater of her own in her room which none of the rest of us had so we all froze while she used up all the electricity. if you can't get through to this guy that you need the boiler on at night occaisionally just get one of these electric heaters then you can use all the electric rather than the gas and he won't know a thing about it.

Oh and on a side note, anyone know a humane way to get rid of wasps? I reckon Ricardo put them there to try to scare me (though f*** knows where he got em from) as they suddenly appeared later in the morning. I'm not particularly bothered about them as I'm not scared of wasps or other stinging insects, but they are a little irritating with their flying all over the place and making constant buzzing noises (only a little irritating).

that's just a bit paranoid.

also, how far north is salford? cuz i'm in edinburgh and i haven't turned the heating on yet this year and i always have my window open during the day. maybe ricardo is ignoring your request cuz hre thinks you're a pussy.

That's very odd that you have to ration utilities.

Anyway, I third the changing rooms suggestion. If that doesn't work, look for a new place to live. It might be worth it to try to renegotiate with the landlord and have the utilities removed from the rent and pay them separately.

Infinite Revolution had the best idea here - go get one of those portable electric space heaters.

Electric blanket......???

Get yourself a wicked looking knife, threaten to gut him like a fish if he touches the fucking thermostat again.

That's very odd that you have to ration utilities.


this country is the most expensive to live in in the EU. and probably at least one of the most expensive in the world in terms of the cost of living.

plus, i'm guessing the OP is a student, and students ain't rich :p

Shave his eyebrows off while he's asleep.

this country is the most expensive to live in in the EU. and probably at least one of the most expensive in the world in terms of the cost of living.

plus, i'm guessing the OP is a student, and students ain't rich :pTrue, but it's in the lease that the utilities are rationed a certain way. Certainly, one would need to fit the utility bill in one's budget.

one of my old flatmates was annoying with heating, she used to set the thermostat in the flat to 10 degrees whatever time of year it was or she'd set the boiler to go off at the same time it came on so it never came on, or she'd come through from her room the minute she heard anyone turn it on just to turn it off again without saying anything to anyone. she had an electric heater of her own in her room which none of the rest of us had so we all froze while she used up all the electricity. if you can't get through to this guy that you need the boiler on at night occaisionally just get one of these electric heaters then you can use all the electric rather than the gas and he won't know a thing about it.



that's just a bit paranoid.

also, how far north is salford? cuz i'm in edinburgh and i haven't turned the heating on yet this year and i always have my window open during the day. maybe ricardo is ignoring your request cuz hre thinks you're a pussy.

Normally I'm fine with the cold. I walk around on cold days in a T-shirt. But I need to be reasonably warm to be able to sleep, and my room has crap insulation - I can hear people piss for fuck sake!

True, but it's in the lease that the utilities are rationed a certain way. Certainly, one would need to fit the utility bill in one's budget.

Which is what the friggin' timer's for!

snip
You live in Salford? You at uni there? (Me too! :P)

If reasoning with the guy won't work, buy an electric heater for your room. Or a fleece blanket.

As for the wasps, wasps are horrible little bastards, just call pest control.

You live in Salford? You at uni there? (Me too! :P)

If reasoning with the guy won't work, buy an electric heater for your room. Or a fleece blanket.

As for the wasps, wasps are horrible little bastards, just call pest control.

Yep, though considering ithe uni's size, I doubt ya know me. Did nobody notice I asked for a humane way to get rid of the wasps? :)

What course ya on? P.S. I'm going sleep now. Will look at this again tomorrow.

It must be just people with long hair, then ;)

I think it's Women of A Certain Age. My mum's terrible; "It's too warm in here!" as she skids on a patch of dry ice.

It can't be that, my friend, an 18-year old male, sleeps with in the nude, above his blankets, with the window wide open.

His skin is a kinda salmonesque colour with blue sprinklings.

Yep, though considering ithe uni's size, I doubt ya know me. Did nobody notice I asked for a human way to get rid of the wasps? :)

What course ya on? P.S. I'm going sleep now. Will look at this again tomorrow.
There isn't a humane way to kill wasps. Because wasps are bastards :)


And I'm on Popular Music and Recording (3rd year :eek:)

Set him on fire. That should work for the wasps too. I doubt the landlord wold like it though.

If the landlord doesn't like it, you can set him on fire too. Esp. if he is fat. That will keep you warm for a few days.

or use a vacuum to get rid of the wasps, get some extra blankets for your bed, and wear more clothes to sleep (I sleep in boxers in the summer, but in winter, pajama pants and sometimes a tshirt)

talk to your roommate. Don't get an electric heater...those things catch on fire too easily, and won't save you any money.

or, offer to throw in some extra for overage so you can run the heater at night.

tell your roommate that as long as he keep up his frugal ways YOU will pay anything extra over the allotted amount of gas.

that way he has nothing to bitch about and you can keep warm. it also gives you incentive to get warmer blankets and start sleeping in pyjamas.

Crickey, Multiland, is there anything in your life at the moment that isn't a disaster situation?

Did nobody notice I asked for a humane way to get rid of the wasps? :)
Put up with it, and in a week it'll be too cold for them and they'll expire.

At this point, you get some free note-taking paper. This is truly useful.

:headbang: I got back to my flat yesterday after staying away for a couple of nights... I told Ricardo about using the Timer and the Timer Wheel to save gas, and even explained how to use it... yet I find out that he's put the Timer Wheel so that it's constantly on! He's clearly just being childish or racist (he's from Portugal and judging from when I spoke to him before the argument, it seems he thinks English peope are lazy and have everything easy).

Could I get him done for indirect racism?

Superglue the boiler switch.

Could I get him done for indirect racism?

Er...no.

blow up the house.

Er...no.

aww. was worth asking

blow up the house.

Did anybody notice I was lookinhg for a peaceful solution? :)

Did anybody notice I was lookinhg for a peaceful solution? :)

That's why you've failed thus far. Get the wasps to turn on Ricardo. Then kill the survivor with mustard gas.

Did anybody notice I was lookinhg for a peaceful solution? :)

very well... take your flatmates outside just before you press the detonator and yell "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SWITCH THE FUCKING BOILER OFF!!!"



*boom*


:)

Basic lowdown: I live in a flat where the bills (gas, electric, and water) are included in the rent, but the supply of gas and the supply of electric are both limited (I think it's like £30 worth of electric and £40 worth of gas per month, paid for by the landlord).

If we go over the limit, the gas/electric runs out and we have to pay extra to top it up. However, there are only 2 people besides me in the flat, and there is a "timer" function on the switch next to the boiler's "on/off" switch. When the timer is on, the "timer wheel" can be set so that it switches its self off every so often, for a certain amount of time (for example, every hour, for one hour).

My room is absolutely freezing (probably why it's so cheap - £40 a week) so I leave the boiler on at night, with the "timer wheel" set so it switches its self off every so often - because it only switches its self off for a certain amount of time, it means that my room doesn't get really cold, as it remains warm for a while even when the heating is off. It also saves gas, as even if I sleep for 8 hours, the boiler is effectively only on for four hours due to the timer. I've also lived in a flat before where the electric and gas was on LOADS, and used less than a fiver a week, wheras the boiler is not usually on during the day much at all - just for showering and washing pots. HOWEVER, if the boiler is off for a long time, my room gets so cold that I wake up.

But one of my flatmates (Ricardo) is very unreasonable. I explained the situation regarding my room and the boiler to him, and he acted as though he accepted this. Yet he constantly switches the boiler COMPLETELY off at night, and last night I woke up twice in the middle of the night, freezing like a snowman. I got pissed off and made as much noise as possible to wake up the residents (though I feel sorry for the resident who does not keep switching the boiler off), but I'd rather just be able to get a good night's sleep and I don't want to argue (again) with Ricardo, or wake up the other guy again, as it's not his fault, it's Ricardo's. I could, if I was that way inclined, have him stabbed by a mate (I live in Salford and have quite a few dodgy friends) or have him terrorised (but I am in no way suggesting I would do any of those things) and have reminded him that if it was anyone else from Salford who had to put up with this shit, he'd probably be stabbed already.

I want to find a peaceful solution though, but considering the fact the manager and the landlord both basically ignore problems that are reported, I doubt I'd have much success talking to any of those.

So any tips on what to do? I'd prefer not to end up threatening him or getting a few dodgy mates to do whatever to him.

Oh and on a side note, anyone know a humane way to get rid of wasps? I reckon Ricardo put them there to try to scare me (though f*** knows where he got em from) as they suddenly appeared later in the morning. I'm not particularly bothered about them as I'm not scared of wasps or other stinging insects, but they are a little irritating with their flying all over the place and making constant buzzing noises (only a little irritating).

You should only need the heating on proper in the evening and early mornining (warming the place up ready for when you wake up) when you are up and walking about. When you are asleep you shouldn't need any heating on, untill the middle of winter, as your quilt, pyjammas etc should keep you warm as you are living in the mild UK. However if your flatmate won't even accept the heating on in the evenings and early mornings then he is being unreasonable. Also note that you having the heating on during the night could also be disrupting his sleeping, when I am too hot I can't sleep. Swapping the rooms sounds like a good idea if there is any difference in how insulated they are.

This reminds me of a roommate I had during uni, he was from hot and warm Hong Kong and me from the UK. He always wanted the heating on while I virtually never wanted it on. The compromise was that I sleep near the window with the radiator near me switched off while he slept with his bed right beside a radiator that was switched on. After two years he started coming round to my way of thinking (got use to the weather I suppose) so we started having the heating on less.

Use his burning body to heat your room :)

At the very least, now you know what questions to ask of any potential, future, flatmate.

You should only need the heating on proper in the evening and early mornining (warming the place up ready for when you wake up) when you are up and walking about. When you are asleep you shouldn't need any heating on, untill the middle of winter, as your quilt, pyjammas etc should keep you warm as you are living in the mild UK. However if your flatmate won't even accept the heating on in the evenings and early mornings then he is being unreasonable. Also note that you having the heating on during the night could also be disrupting his sleeping, when I am too hot I can't sleep. Swapping the rooms sounds like a good idea if there is any difference in how insulated they are.

This reminds me of a roommate I had during uni, he was from hot and warm Hong Kong and me from the UK. He always wanted the heating on while I virtually never wanted it on. The compromise was that I sleep near the window with the radiator near me switched off while he slept with his bed right beside a radiator that was switched on. After two years he started coming round to my way of thinking (got use to the weather I suppose) so we started having the heating on less.

1. There is a knob in each room to turn the radiator off. If he doesn't like heat, he can simply switch his radiator off, as we don't share the same room.
2. I can get to sleep normally without heating, but as some people such as you have ignored, I have made clear that my room is freezing, most probably due to the poor insulation, and I can't get to sleep when it's so cold outside that it's foggy and it feels like I'm outside. I had two thick jumpers on last night and was still freezing (with my cover over me).

At the very least, now you know what questions to ask of any potential, future, flatmate.

I had no choice in the matter - the Landlord or the Manager selects the Tenants.

Get a girlfriend/whore and use her as a source of heat in bed.

Tell them they cahnged the name of your building to an apartment and you can no lomger have annoying flat mates .

Unless theey are women and give great head .

I had no choice in the matter - the Landlord or the Manager selects the Tenants.

Holy Roly Poly and Mick Foley. Thats messed up! Is that common where you are or just in that block of flats?

Holy Roly Poly and Mick Foley. Thats messed up! Is that common where you are or just in that block of flats?

It's common in Student Accommodation all over the UK, if the place is a large "managed" place such as a block of flats - you find out details (what's shared, what's included, etc), you apply, you pay rent and deposit, you get put in an available room in a flat - and so on until all rooms in that flat are full.

Stop washing.








Oh, wait. You're English. No one would notice the difference.

get more blankets. Or have your mate open a window

Peaceful solution... I agree to change rooms. perhaps that would help. Getting thicker blankets and even wearing a sweater or thicker clothes to bed would help. a THICK DOWN COMFORTER will keep you warm... and I do mean THICK.

I remember one time I had a pile of pillows, blankets and comforters on my bed... man it was hot... I wish my family woke me up before piling those things on me...

or a compromise. both of you purchase an electric heater for your bedroom, and then you don't need to keep the boiler on at all. a timer to regulate the heater can help keep electrical cost down.


another solution... Find a female tennant who has the same problem... then keep each other warm! :D

Stop washing.








Oh, wait. You're English. No one would notice the difference.

how childish.

Get some down blankets and stop complaining.

Alternatively, get a girlfriend and make her sleep with you, or sleep at her place.

So any tips on what to do?

Collect potatoes. Paint faces on them and give them names. Name one of them Ricardo. A week later, cook the potato and eat it. Say it just didn't get along.

Works every time :D