I need to move.
Actually I need Cush, McFluffin, Small Fry and I to move. So far just to another flat, we're not yet ready to leave Oman.
I'm trying to be positive but I think this may turn into an old fashion AIO rant...it may not, see I never know until I start and then there it is, I'm dropping f bombs and stuff.
Here's the situation.
There is a leaky water tank on our roof. It's been leaking for 2 weeks, the house boy (yeah boy, he's made my shitlist this week) has known about it since we noticed it, and has done nothing.
The water is coming through into the ceiling in our hallway but is not yet dripping onto the floor. I don't know who's water tank it is but I'm hoping it's not ours because I think our water bill is going to be really high this month because the hot water tank in our ensuite has exploded and water leaks out everytime we turn it on to have a shower.
Apparently it's a common thing to have your hot water tank explode because we've had our en suite one replaced 3 times in 3 years, the guest bedroom en suite replaced twice (and the current one is not really working) and oddly the one in our servents room (which we have no need for) replaced once.
The houseboy has been made aware of all these things and keeps saying the plumber will come Saturday, then Sunday, then maybe next Saturday, and then he says that Cush needs to call the landlord.
Cush has tried calling the landlord but he won't answer his phone, and we don't even know why we're supposed to be calling him.
I can't take it anymore. I really can't.
The real bullshit of it is that we just paid our 6 months, and even then I don't really know how people move here.
We have to pay 6 months (or a year) in advance, but then have to give 3 (or 4) months notice to move and then we have to find a place that will be available in 3 or 4 months and then come up with another 6 months (or a year) rent in advance.
The thing is that I don't want less then what we have now.
We have a 3 bedroom, 3 ensuite, 2 WC, 2 walk in closets, a nice living room, another entertainment room, huge storage area, and a very large terrace and all for the low, low price of 600 OR/month, which is a bit of a bargain in terms of what a lot of people we know pay, but is actually only what we can comfortably afford.
And you know, I bet this flat was really, really fancy like 10-15 years ago but I don't think it's been touched since.
The thought of moving is actually a bit scary too. I don't know where I would want to move to.
There's positives and negatives for everywhere, isn't there? Crime, wierdos, goats that might try to eat your car, unruly children (boys) that drive around at all hours of the night on scooters...
At least with where we live now I know exactly what the score is...no..I was about to get confortable for a second.
This is not ok at all to have all these leaks and whatnots going on. What the hell?
Does everyone live like this? Because sometimes it seems like Cush and I are just cursed. For real.
PS. Happy Eid everyone, hope you all had a nice break :)
Got some rest...now for the back story.
17 hours ago
10 comments:
Honestly, I don't know why people pay their rent so much in advance. This is a new trend and makes it so much easier for landlords to take advantage of the situation.
Just file a complaint with the Muscat Municipality that no maintenance is being done.
Move in near us = problem solved ;)
Hope it all gets sorted soon.
And seriously, move in near us lol!
Maybe just get your own plumber and fix it yourself? It'll cost way less than the hassle of moving and the frustration its causing you - keep the receipt, evidence you tried to get him to fix it, and deduct from next time you pay rent.
At least in Oman such repairs are pretty cheap.
For moving: You don't really have to give that much notice by law. it is two months. If you paid your rent, and you gave your notice now, you could move as soon as your six months are up (or even before) and WHY pay rent in advance?
This is really only an expat thing. Andme being an expat (who some have started labelling Omani) I never have done it, not ever. Omanis don't. Why should you? Just show them your record of paying rent before and show that you are not going to up and move in six months ect and they should wave this.
I have a three bedroom house now for 110 OMR. If you have any Omani friends who can maybe help you negotiate the landlord and find the place, you can get some way better deals than expats.
IE my first apartment in MQ was 500 OMR for not even two good bedrooms. Kind of a bedroom and a converted closet.
This I found with expat resources.
Second flat in Athaiba 160 still found via expat resources (but living in Oman long enough to have Omanis all over one to do things certain ways).
Third place, 3 bedroom house, cat friendly, majlis, living area, outdoor terrace ect, for 110, and NEW: omani friends.
If you need help let me know, I will try, since a. I love your blog and b. you may or may not hail from the same country as me;)\\\
BUT UD's suggestion is waaaaaaaaaaaay simpler.
Angry,
As someone who just made a big move on the Friday before Eid holidays, I say avoid moving at all costs. It can be such a stressful time! It sounds like you have a FABULOUS place at a FABULOUS price so I totally agree with the dragon. Just get the repairs done.
About feeling like you are cursed...I've been there. I remember thinking that way for MANY years. Try to count your blessings (which I know you do) because I can assure you that you are not cursed. By the way, congrats on not dropping the "f bomb" even in the midst of your frustrations! Rather impressive! :-
I arrived in Oman, stayed in the Crowne Plaza for almost a year (was the Gulf Hotel back then), moved directly into a flat about 500m away in Qurm and didn't move for 10 years until I packed up and moved out of Oman altogether.
I thought about moving several times but once I found out how stressful it could be and the number of hoops you had to jump through just to do it, I decided to stay put in my little two bedroomed apartment. Apartment blocks were built on barren land around me, the Muscat Festival was conceived just to play havoc with the roads one month a year, but still I stayed put. I knew the grass was greener on the other side but I poked my nose over the fence and decided the barbed wire was way too dangerous to negotiate to get to it!!
My advice: get the leaks fixed yourself and take it off your rent payments. I did that several times. Enjoy your place because you've already made it your own and remember that it is better the devil you know than the devil you don't - and there are some pretty nasty devils out there!
Thanks everyone for the kind and sensible comments, I really appreciate them!
We'll see how it all goes :)
I love your house! Best wishes in figuring out what to do. If it makes you feel any better, if the house is 10-15 years old, it must have been built well because houses are not built to last long there.
Amber
Find a lawyer and get their advice. You can probably send a letter to your landlord or agency, wait a specified interval, then go ahead with repairs on your own dime and subtract from the next rental.
any luck with getting the water tank repaired yet?
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