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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 0:57:55 GMT
The apartment directly opposite me has just been sold, I haven't seen the new owner yet, but yesterday there were workmen demolishing the kitchen and just now an Ikea truck pulled up and they unloaded a whole lot of kitchen cupboards  It's going to be an entertaining few days as I watch this unfold! The backstory: The apartment I own was built in the 1970s and they did as little as possible with the interiors, there's almost zero storage space. The first 10 years I did almost nothing to it because I couldn't afford to but the last few years I've gradually tackled all the major projects. The kitchen has been a major sticking point because it's so small, the standard flat pack options are too big, so everything has to be custom made. I've looked at Ikea multiple times and used their planner and it's obvious their cupboards & counters are too big (deep), I've had 2 builders in to give advice and they both said it would need custom made cabinetry. Just before covid hit the guy downstairs who is a renter, had the owner of his apartment decide to renovate the kitchen and they came and installed the standard size...not sure who measured etc, but it was a total disaster. The cupboards face each other and they were so close together that he couldn't open the doors far enough to put anything in! He also couldn't open the door to the oven. Eventually they had to pull the whole lot out again and redo it. |
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Post by mom on Jan 31, 2023 1:04:35 GMT
Ohh yeah. This could be fun to watch. You'll have to update us with what you see and hear!
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057 
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Post by AllieC on Jan 31, 2023 8:04:11 GMT
Let us know what happens! Surely they would measure and see it’s not going to fit.
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Post by gar on Jan 31, 2023 8:20:44 GMT
Let us know what happens! Surely they would measure and see it’s not going to fit. You’d think so wouldn’t you - but there’s no end to some folks stupidity as we well know 😊 |
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Post by rainangel on Jan 31, 2023 8:23:47 GMT
I WANT to say 'Surely, they can't be that stupid that they haven't planned this through'. But I know better than to assume that of people.
Break out the popcorn for this one! I do hope you get to see the kitchen after the remodeling. Are there windows you can sneak a peek in?
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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 8:43:10 GMT
Let us know what happens! Surely they would measure and see it’s not going to fit. You'd hope so...but I had a quick look through Ikea before and the base cabinets I looked at were 60-63cm deep...the ones built into the existing kitchen are only 45cm deep. The rest of the day was disappointing though - because the cabinets were delivered and then everyone left so there was no attempt at installation today  and if by chance they have a new skinny range...and it fits, I'll be there like a shot buying them as well! |
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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 8:59:13 GMT
I WANT to say 'Surely, they can't be that stupid that they haven't planned this through'. But I know better than to assume that of people. Break out the popcorn for this one! I do hope you get to see the kitchen after the remodeling. Are there windows you can sneak a peek in? No unfortunately, no windows I can look through (we are on the third floor) - I'll have to wait for the front door to be open so I can see in. |
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Post by gar on Jan 31, 2023 9:34:14 GMT
I WANT to say 'Surely, they can't be that stupid that they haven't planned this through'. But I know better than to assume that of people. Break out the popcorn for this one! I do hope you get to see the kitchen after the remodeling. Are there windows you can sneak a peek in? No unfortunately, no windows I can look through (we are on the third floor) - I'll have to wait for the front door to be open so I can see in. Or to see what they take out again 😁 |
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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 11:19:16 GMT
No unfortunately, no windows I can look through (we are on the third floor) - I'll have to wait for the front door to be open so I can see in. Or to see what they take out again 😁 or listen out for the swearing! |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jan 31, 2023 12:11:43 GMT
Drat it. I get so invested in these pea scenarios. You’re going to have to keep us updated. I’ll be on pins and needles to see if it all works. 😂
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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 12:52:16 GMT
Drat it. I get so invested in these pea scenarios. You’re going to have to keep us updated. I’ll be on pins and needles to see if it all works. 😂 You know I'm a rule breaker |
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Post by PenandInk on Jan 31, 2023 13:22:37 GMT
I WANT to say 'Surely, they can't be that stupid that they haven't planned this through'. But I know better than to assume that of people. Break out the popcorn for this one! I do hope you get to see the kitchen after the remodeling. Are there windows you can sneak a peek in? No unfortunately, no windows I can look through (we are on the third floor) - I'll have to wait for the front door to be open so I can see in. Hmm, this may be a good reason to bring the new owner a plate of cookies as a welcome gift! |
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,180
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on Jan 31, 2023 14:16:06 GMT
I have a small L-shaped kitchen and along the longer wall, I installed IKEA wall units as base units because it was too narrow for standard ones. They are only 37cm deep, plus another couple of centimetres for the door. Maybe your neighbours have done something similar? Or maybe they’re installing standard units but only down one wall.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 31, 2023 15:38:57 GMT
I have a small L-shaped kitchen and along the longer wall, I installed IKEA wall units as base units because it was too narrow for standard ones. They are only 37cm deep, plus another couple of centimetres for the door. Maybe your neighbours have done something similar? Or maybe they’re installing standard units but only down one wall. The one wall is the problem because that's the side with the sink and the hot water service...and all the plumbing is concreted into the walls so don't think they have the option of changing where they are, and then the opposite side has the fridge and the stove...I had to make sure I got just the right fridge size otherwise I wouldn't have been able to open the door fully...and that's with the smaller cupboards. The tenant who was in there previously had a fridge that was too big and she had to put it in the carpet in the lounge. Also they would have to try to get a tiny sink that fits into the top of the 37cm cupboard...the existing sinks we have are 44cm. That's why I'm so interested to see how this goes... |
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Post by Lexica on Jan 31, 2023 20:41:24 GMT
I'll be along for the ride too!
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Post by MsChiff on Feb 1, 2023 18:34:28 GMT
I have a small L-shaped kitchen and along the longer wall, I installed IKEA wall units as base units because it was too narrow for standard ones. They are only 37cm deep, plus another couple of centimetres for the door. Maybe your neighbours have done something similar? Or maybe they’re installing standard units but only down one wall. The one wall is the problem because that's the side with the sink and the hot water service...and all the plumbing is concreted into the walls so don't think they have the option of changing where they are, and then the opposite side has the fridge and the stove...I had to make sure I got just the right fridge size otherwise I wouldn't have been able to open the door fully...and that's with the smaller cupboards. The tenant who was in there previously had a fridge that was too big and she had to put it in the carpet in the lounge. Also they would have to try to get a tiny sink that fits into the top of the 37cm cupboard...the existing sinks we have are 44cm. That's why I'm so interested to see how this goes... I'm interested, too. They could do the 37 cm cabinets and possibly install the cabinet row with the sink out farther from the wall to accommodate a larger sink, or even just the cabinet with the sink. As long as the countertop covers the extra spacing, they should be OK. You should chat them up and tell them you're interested in what they're doing as you'd like to update your kitchen as well. Then report back!! |
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Post by pjaye on Feb 1, 2023 23:12:27 GMT
ou should chat them up and tell them you're interested in what they're doing as you'd like to update your kitchen as well Well that was the plan...but suddenly it's all gone quiet, the door has been shut and I haven't heard any power tools so maybe they aren't going to install it until next week. I'll update when something starts to happen over there. |
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Post by belgravia on Feb 2, 2023 0:37:56 GMT
Make sure to keep us updated! I do love a good reno horror story, as long as it’s not mine!!
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Post by lg on Feb 2, 2023 3:15:16 GMT
I’m in for the ride too… we’ve had a house down the road doing something in their backyard for three months now and in the meantime we completed a whole house reno 🤣 I’m in need of some more dodgy reno drama!!!
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Post by LilyRose on Mar 10, 2023 14:51:49 GMT
I’m dying to know if there’s any updates on this? pjaye |
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Post by pjaye on Mar 11, 2023 1:41:12 GMT
Oh boy are there updates! When I started this thread it was in fun but it got ugly. Firstly, unfortunately I haven't seen inside and haven't seen the kitchen so I don't know how all of that turned out. Secondly I've discovered these are the sort of people who have never lived in an apartment and just think they can do whatever they want with no regard for anyone else. So where I live is what's called a strata unit and all the owners have to pay fees to the "Owners Corporation" to share the common bills such as insurance for the building, maintenance etc. From what I understand it's similar to a HOA. If anyone wants to make any changes to the outside of their apartment, they need to apply for permission from the OC (HOA) first. The Owners Corp is managed by a professional, but we have an owner's committee which is made up of people who own property in the building. If someone wants to change something about their apartment, they send the request to the OC manager and he sends it to the committee to approve or decline. So I come a week after I posted this, to find this outside my front door:  that's what I see when I open my front door...they installed this massive aircon 1.5 meters away from my door. It's bigger than every other one on the block and none of the others are installed in an equal position where it faces someone's door. I called the OC to complain that they installed this without permission...to be told that actually the OC did send it to the committee and permission was granted. I lost it. I then made a formal complaint and demanded to see the approval paperwork...ah...there is none! The OC manager texted ONE member of the committee and said "this apartment wants to install air-con in the same way the others have" and the 1 member (without getting any more details) said "yeah that's fine" So we had a formal meeting on Thurs, of course the new owners are refusing to relocate it because they got approval to put it there, and that's how I discovered the manager only sent the request to 1 person on the committee - because the others agreed with me that it's too big and too close to me and an eyesore where it is and said they weren't consulted at all. So now we are waiting on a quote for the relocation and that will have to come out of the members fees because the two twats ...OC manager & committee member can't follow the correct process and couldn't be bothered getting any details about the installation. So not only does it impact me directly - but now I'll probably also have pay (via my members fees) to get it moved. And the wife of the couple who bought it is a piece of work...she has the Eastern European accent (think Melania Trump but dumber) and she does that outraged voice "how dare you! you can't speak to me like that!" That was after I read out one of the regulations, she snottily said "congratulations - I'm glad you can read", so I replied, "yes I can...but the difference between us is that I can also understand it, which you clearly can not" The saga continues! |
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,373
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Mar 11, 2023 1:48:09 GMT
Why didn’t they put it next to their own door??
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Post by pjaye on Mar 11, 2023 1:51:24 GMT
Why didn’t they put it next to their own door?? good question! |
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Post by LilyRose on Mar 11, 2023 2:02:52 GMT
Oh wow, that quite an update! They sound like crappy neighbors.
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Post by auntiepeas on Mar 11, 2023 6:48:35 GMT
That was after I read out one of the regulations, she snottily said "congratulations - I'm glad you can read", so I replied, "yes I can...but the difference between us is that I can also understand it, which you clearly can not" The saga continues. She sounds lovely. 🙃 If it’s any consolation, and unless your neighbours are a lot more philosophical than they come across, then after the air-con is moved it’s likely to be an almost daily irritation to them seeing it somewhere other than where they wanted it to be. |
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Post by lg on Mar 11, 2023 8:18:31 GMT
Ohh yeah I hope that the aircon unit is really loud and obnoxious and right next to their bedroom window as they try to sleep at night. Every night. As a noisy constant reminder of their crap life decisions like installing it right next to your front door to make the noise and hot air coming from it your issue.
Reason #1 I don’t want to live in an apartment or villa like setting as some people can just be so clueless and rude.
Side note, when can you vote out the inept OC manager and members?
Second side note I loved your come back to the reading comment, that kind of sh*t would never fly with me either. I would rest easy knowing their bad choices will probably lead them to having to move out sooner rather than later as more and more people get jack of them thinking of the complex like their own place. I’d be making sure to study all those bylaws really well for every time they even think of hanging their washing on the balcony, installing a tv antennae etc 😇
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Post by pjaye on Mar 11, 2023 11:57:56 GMT
hen after the air-con is moved it’s likely to be an almost daily irritation to them seeing it somewhere other than where they wanted it to be. Unfortunately not - it's going to be rented out. Which brings us to the next part of the saga...they are furnishing it I came home the other day and they'd had a fridge delivered (it was standing outside their door), so I suspect it's going to be a short term rental/ Airbnb, and after several emails to the owner's corp manager...he said we can't stop that. So I looked into it further and that's actually true, they passed a State law a couple of years ago that said apartment buildings cannot create OC bylaws and refuse short term rentals if that's what an owner wants to do. |
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Post by pjaye on Mar 11, 2023 12:09:40 GMT
Side note, when can you vote out the inept OC manager and members? That's a whole other long term story! Where I live is a 'trendy' area which has a high demand for rental properties because it's inner city and close to everything...so most of the block is owned by investors who don't live there...so they just pay the fees and don't care about getting involved. The people on the committee are the only ones who volunteer...if it wasn't them there would be no-one. Changing management companies will never happen because the investors will just vote to leave it the same because they aren't involved enough to care about changing it. |
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AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,057
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Post by AllieC on Mar 11, 2023 21:00:51 GMT
Well that didn’t go where I was thinking when you updated. Bloody hell, what incompetence!
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Mar 11, 2023 21:09:54 GMT
  I would be so unhappy having Airbnb units in my building, but having such obnoxious owners as well?! GRRRR! |
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