Hi,

I have been a keen DIYer for several years now. I have rennovated 3
houses over 15 years. I can't see how I have caused anyone any
problems. All 3 houses are still standing and are much safer, much
prettier and much more valuable...

Recently I have tried to move to house number 4 - a dilapidated
bungalow. At £225,000 it would leave me £75,000 to do the place up. I
planned new everything and an extension.

This is now not going to happen - cos I can't get a mortgage. I've had
two surveyors round and one said 'the mortgage company would not offer
a mortgage' and the other said 'congratulations, we are pleased to
offer you a mortgage of £190,000... with a retention of £190,000 until
you do the following jobs (proceeded to list all the electics, all the
plumbing, the roof and the walls!)

As a side issue, I am being hastled by my solicitor because I told the
truth on my housemove questionaire. - two windows I had put in in 1999
- 'where is the FENSA certificate?' a steel lintle i had put in in
2000 'where is the building control notice?' a new consumer unit I had
put in by a qualified electician in 2002 'where is the electrical test
certificate'... It will cost me a packet just to get people out to
check all this... Grrr

The little old lady (in her 80's) who lives in this bungalow I was
buying is now going to be disapointed - and instead of getting
£225,000 from me, she will have to put it to auction or take offers
from a developer - which will mean she can't afford the next property
she is really wanting.

Is this really a free country? Can this really be the future? When did
we ever vote on this? Why do DIY chains exist if you can't use the
stuff they sell? How on earth do we change any of this?

Philip