ShalewaT:

I was there the day he called him asking if he can use him as his next of kin for his NHS, and it just took me by surprise cos normally how can you be married and ask your cousin if he can be your next of kin?
This cousin is married and he isn't his next of kin, then he said he'd fill my name in when he gets to the hospital. He brought the form home yesterday and I saw he actually used his cousin.

Does he realise that means his cousin will also be the one to make medical decisions on his behalf should be incapacitated in any way? Basically he might end up in hospital and you might not be able to see or support him if he's not in a position to give consent for you to do that. Hopefully you can both have a discussion and come to some conclusion on this. I do find it weird and bizarre that he'd do that.

phyl123:


My white friend once told me she was at a family party and her niece was playing with a black kid, she then licked her finger and rubbed it on the black girl’s skin to see if her colour would rub off. This was just two innocent kids playing together. Her niece has not been exposed to black kids apart from on the telly, so she was curious like most young kids.

I used to live in Radstock about 12 years ago and taught in the local secondary school. I got no end of weird and bizarre questions. I was the only black person in that town of about 5k people. There was an Indian family too and that was it. People would ask how I can speak such fluent English - if I was in a bad mood, I'd usually tell them to go study British history and they'll know why, could they sniff my hair, touch my skin, do we have lions, sleep in huts, did I like having a bed at home etc. Sometimes, I patiently answer all the questions - no be me carry myself go live for bush?

During my very first OFTSED inspection, I was teaching the Access to Health Dip discussing about people migration and how it affects health outcomes - ie language barriers, new illnesses etc. One of the girls (she was 18/19 ish) said, 'We don't want dirty immigrants bringing new illnesses. They take our jobs and they want to infect us too?'

I responded, 'Dirty immigrants? Am I dirty?' She was shocked and said, 'But Miss, you're not an immigrant. You speak English, you work, you're our tutor!' She could not comprehend how I was possibly an immigrant.

The lesson took a side step into different forms of immigration, how it affects places negatively and positively and I had to pull up stats etc about immigrant Drs, nurses, teachers, engineers (basically to show that we're not bottom feeders) and then linked back to health outcomes. The lesson over ran by almost 45 minutes. The inspector stayed through out the lesson. We talked about Windrush, Irish and Italian migration (they were shocked about that as well). I scored an outstanding grade and till date, it's my only outstanding grade in all my teaching years
These were children from reasonably middle class families and they had zero clue. Many of them were actually very racist in that lesson but it was a teaching moment so I used it as one. They at least all walked away with a better knowledge and awareness of what not to say and do!

Now imagine that session was run by someone who 1. had no experience of immigration, immigrants and racism and 2. didn't want to derail their lesson because frankly if it was another inspector, I may well have failed that observation and affected the over score of the school.

As far as I'm concerned, people are inherently good. Doesn't make them not racist

I can't even begin to recount my conversations with my in laws. The only person who has not goofed in that family is my youngest sister in law and she is very, very well travelled which explains it. They do love me very much but mehn...

Chreze:


For the sake of our children, let’s just try to delete that word, cos our kids relate and play perfectly with kids from other race/skin color and they don’t know any of these things, if we keep up with the word, it will destroy the future just like it’s affecting today.

This is like saying let's commit more crimes so the police will have work to do! Good people are also very racist. My mother in law is a prime example. All research shows that children know, see and acknowledge differences in others. They just have not imbibed the social norms and indoctrination of acting on or using those differences to either accept or exclude people. They learn that from the families and communities.

Racism is going nowhere - not in our lifetime and likely not in that of our children either and we better prepare our children to deal with it otherwise it will stymie them.

jesmond3945:
well I mentioned that I have no problem with racism, I even laught it off. I agree with you wholeheartedly. However, blacks should always support each other when issues of discrimination are discussed. We should not dismiss it or find a way to blame each other because we have no allies when all is lost is only a black brother that will come to the rescue. Even this thread is a testament to that. You can see Nigerians are good people with their quality advise but would prefer to relate behind the computer than physically.

I agree with you. As adults that have been fully formed and immersed in the Nigerian confidence before heading to the UK, it is easy to shrug off and minimise the racism we encounter. The problem is then that we do not fully equip our children and youngsters to deal with what life as a black person in a majority white country gets throws at them from the moment you step foot here. And that is the underlying issue. When people raise concerns about racism, I don't ever minimise it. I listen, offer support or advice as needed. Sometimes, it's not even possible to follow up on it. It doesn't mean we can't validate that person's feeling at that moment in time.

It's very much like the trans issues going on at the moment. The trans movement (supporters of the trans movement) seem to be eradicating women's right and spaces left, right and centre. I support the right of a trans woman to be a woman and my own right as someone who fully identifies as female and a woman to be a woman - I don side track now

hustla:



No, I mean both properties are worth say 300K each, with 30K as down-payment


I'm Allowed to dream naw

#30k deposit for a BTL is a maximum #120k purchase. The only time you get away with less than a 25% is if you're buying a home to live in. Be realistic in your dreams o. Otherwise you go just waste money with nothing to show at the end of it. It's why the wealth creation industry exists - making millions from property is a big one. Lots and lots of stories that touch emanating from there.

For a #300k BTL property, stamp duty alone is #14k then you need a deposit of #75k. So before you even start, almost #100k don comot from ya pocket.

hustla:
Hello Chairmen, Women and Ancestors

Happy Easter to everyone

I do have some funny property questions

Let's assume I have £60K which ideally can pay for 2 properties at £30K each

Will it make sense to

1- buy 2 different properties at the same time or -

2 - put the £60K in one and then refinance later?

3 - Can mortgage be paid using credit cards? If yes, does it make sense to spend more than the 20 - 30% recommended on cc's per month?

Which one saves more money and makes the most sense at a latter date

I'm just curious and thinking ahead in this case

Thanks!

1. You are seriously underestimating your costs. For each purchase, you have #30k for deposit, #600 for solicitors fees, #3,600 for stamp duty. Then you need change EICR, GSC and letting costs. You can cut letting costs by using Open Rent which is c. #500 ish to include credit checking. If you decide to do a survey, that's another #600-#800. If the house is in top spec condition, you might get away with a deep clean otherwise, you also need to budget funds for small repairs before letting.

2. Refinancing is not really as easy at it sounds. You'll have to re-apply going through a full credit application, break the initial fixed period if you fixed, pay break fees. House values don't instantly rise and sometimes, will actually be static for awhile even in a rising or an over blown market

3. No. Sometimes having a lot of accessible credit works against you when it comes to mortgages even for BTL especially if your income is not very high. Banks are not averse to asking you to close down lines of open credit before draw down so don't even bank on having immediate access to that money. Of course you can get new cards or loans once the mortgage has been drawn down.

LagosismyHome:


No 3 touch me ooo. I am all about our people raising our people. ... how can we grow if we run away from each other

It's being choosy about which Nigerians you hang out with regularly. I curate my friendship groups very very finely. We must share similar values, have a similar outlook and be on the same page.
I know and speak to/ with many Nigerians. I will give advice, suggestions, directions, go over CVs, have one off conversations etc. Doesn't make us friends. I won't give references, act as guarantor, provide accommodation. Been there, done that, burnt the T shirt.

dustydee:
Oya UK asylum seekers, kuku ma buy ticket to Rwanda instead because Britiain will now ship them there. I don't think it is right.

They're copying from Australia's playbook. At least Rwanda has land borders and asylum seekers will most likely be able to leave. Christmas Island, Manus and Nauru where the Australians send their asylum seekers are all tiny islands with no way out unless the government lets you out. Unfortunately for the UK government, there are a lot of white knights that will likely scupper this plan. There'll probably be protests within the week

HollyMadison:
My elders please I need mortgage advice.

I’m on my 10th month in the UK and I want to use HTB before it ends next year. I’m buying with my husband who’s been here store a bit longer, but one mortgage advisor tried to discourage me based on the fact that I’ve not been in the uk for 12 months yet.


Our credit scores are excellent and good and I’m working on mine and it’s very close to excellent.
Any good tips or advice would be greatly utilised and appreciated.

Thank you for all the sweet and harsh advice, I Dey collect all. My people use Nairaland to yab me but this page has helped sooo much.

Get a new broker. Contact Ezra Le Mon​
Mortgage Advisor
Ezra.LeMon@JohnCharcol.co.uk
020 3334 9967
www.Charcol.co.uk

mumzt:


Please, my first was born here. Though we've gone in and out of the UK as visitors.
We're back now under student visa. Does this mean I don't have to add him when we're renewing? Or ut will affect us because he's gone out before?
Can we renew without him and just wait till we get ilr and apply for citizenship for him?

If I'm not mistaken, to do that, the child must not have an existing visa linked into an existing passport. Once they have the passport of another country even if they haven't travelled out of the UK, that automatically means the visa restrictions of that country applies to them. That's my understanding so you'll need to clarify.

For the school holidays - places where kids eat free.

gratefulme40:


I am completing application for citizenship for my 2kids born before I got ILR
Now, it’s asking for ID document, can I use just birth certificate as an ID document for them? If not, biko, can someone break down the process of getting Nigerian passport for kids again that wouldn’t take forever.


I was hoping to submit the applications this month end

Thanks in advance

Their long form birth certificate is all you need as their form of ID

rinzylee:


Yeah I'm coming to work at the Hospital there. I'm a physiotherapist. It's been crazy searching i must say. I may look the Norwich way. 47 mins by train though.

The train is very slow. It stops everywhere on it way to Cromer. You're better off using the bus then driving. In fact, if you can drive straight away. I'd advise you to do that. You'll be driving against traffic as well as most people will be heading into Norwich for work.

Norwich train station is also near the most expensive parts of the city (Golden Triangle). Whereas if you're driving, you'll just take the ring road and head out.

LagosismyHome:


I wish someone can just state one or two post code that is good for BLT for lazy people who don't have power for plenty research . ....

You can't afford to not do research o! One bad property investment will set you back seriously. People have different risk appetite's and it's easier to be risky with other people's money.

Even if you'll hand it to an agent, the buck stops with the property owner. Agents can be very very unscrupulous as well. There is no comeback apart from a civil case against them either. Our first agent would refund money to the tenant for any complaint. Then bill us for admin services. Turned out she was his friend's daughter in law. Her husband bin don run follow another woman, leave her with the children. As far as he was concerned, we lived in London and had money. We didn't live in London fa - husbot just worked in London. We were ourselves renting and luckily because we had built good equity and were on a repayment mortgage, we could absorb some of those initial costs. We removed her and re-tenanted with me managing it myself.

It now takes an average of 14 months from serving notice to successfully evicting a tenant if they don't want to leave. They can also not pay rent that whole 14 months. Then it was a max 2 months to remove a tenant.

Once you successfully set the first one up, it's easy to replicate. It's like rearing children. The first one is the hardest - no blueprint. The rest just fall in line once they arrive

omopapa:
Seems it’s been long you checked the property price in wolves I think the HS2 project and maybe the football club has surprisingly affected the property values in wolves recently. Only considering that particular one Cus I knw couple of friends that stay in the block and it is strategically located, with very good transport link. Also, it will interest you to know that the rent is going up while the mortgage is going down which makes it a BTL property with a potential good return

I completely forgot HS2! I still think houses are better than flats outside the SE unless they're conversions. Even if the mortgage is decreasing, if the property value is not going up then you lose the power of leverage which is the greatest wealth builder in property

Ralphlauren:


I have attached the price history of my buy to let property.

I'm the second owner. The first owner bought the flat brand new and I guess the property was overpriced/over valued as at 2007. New builds are notoriously overpriced, hence why those looking to achieve the best returns in property investment avoid them.

You make a very valid point. New builds especially flats that are located outside the SE and London lose value very very quickly and takes forever to catch up. Works well for OO but is absolutely useless for BTL (as a new build I mean).

@omopapa although 99 years seems long, in 10 years time it would be practically unmortgageable unless the lease is extended which costs a pretty penny and 10 years is not a very long time at all. Plus most people can easily get a 2/3 bedroom house for that amount in Wolves which majority will prefer. Why are you considering an apartment?

HollyMadison:


Disclaimer first, I’m just speaking from acquired knowledge. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Yes, you can buy a house.

Mortgage end age is 65-80. Most lenders cap at 70-75, so you’ll have about 25years to pay back which is good.

Lenders will give you around 4.5 of your annual salary, your expected mortgage is dependent on if your £1,600 is before or after tax… so you can just do the calculations yourself.

You don’t need to use the full £20k on deposit, your deposit will probably be £10k… you can use the remaining £10k on renovations and upgrades as you’ll most likely buy a “not-so-new” house.

The top age for residential mortgages is retirement age whatever that is at the time of application. Top age for BTL mortgages is as old as one can get as the rent will always cover the mortgage and can be sold off to pay the mortgage (expected repayment vehicle). Otherwise, all correct.
I always advise first home buyers to put down the smallest deposit allowable on what you want to buy. That is most likely the only time, you'll be able to do that! So maximise the utilisation of the cash you have

rinzylee:
Please is anyone in North Walsham here? I have been trying to get an accommodation from Naija. E hard o. Can anyone help??

North Walsham in Norfolk? Are you there for work? You may need to look in Alysham and Norwich instead and travel to work in N. Walsham. It's a very small town and has a lot more older people than families which means people hardly move out. Not impossible, just a much more longer wait for a place.

omopapa:
Our property gurus in the house, please what is the best explanation for this? A 2bed flat that was sold in 2006 for £120k is now being listed for £105k

Length of lease left, cladding issues, major repairs coming up, low sinking funds across board - linked to major repairs, low EPC (new rules in place around EPC). Just jejely leave that flat alone

Evagreenfields:
Hello @Ticha,

Please can you send me this spreadsheet too? evagreenfields@gmail.com

Thanks.

Sent

Kijaz:
Hello mamas, una well done ����

Please I need a little help in deciding where we would stay when we arrive in September, family of 4 (2 daughters 6&3)

I'ld be schooling in London and can't seem to figure out what area outside Central London is suitable.

In terms of affordable accommodation, good schools, safe environment for the kids & activities for them, job opportunities, and also travel time less than an hour to Central London.

Please I'm really looking forward to your recommendations.

Thanks a lot. ��

PS - https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/London_South_East_Network_Railcard_map_Dec-2021.pdf

This maps all the trains coming into London. Obviously it doesn't tell you time it takes so you'll need to go on the national rail website and start mapping the times, cost etc. Then go to Rightmove and check rental prices for properties in that area - make it 0.5 as that's walkable. Anymore than that and you'll need to get a bus/ drive etc which of course will add to your journey time and costs. That was essentially what we did when we were deciding.

If you will only be in London 2 or 3 times a week, I'd suggest looking as far as the Midlands actually as the fast trains are a max 90 minutes so if you're living in Rugby for example (cheap rent yay!) that might take 50 minutes, Northampton (also cheap rent) - 45 minutes, Milton Keynes (more expensive rent) 30 minutes etc
Or the South West so working backwards from Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Didcot etc...

Hope that makes sense.

Kijaz:
Hello mamas, una well done ����

Please I need a little help in deciding where we would stay when we arrive in September, family of 4 (2 daughters 6&3)

I'ld be schooling in London and can't seem to figure out what area outside Central London is suitable.

In terms of affordable accommodation, good schools, safe environment for the kids & activities for them, job opportunities, and also travel time less than an hour to Central London.

Please I'm really looking forward to your recommendations.

Thanks a lot. ��

I'm assuming you won't be driving into London? Therefore you need to follow the train lines. Based on the time tables, you can see from which stations you can get into central London under an hour then start house hunting there. Be very aware that all those cities will also have a London mark up prices for rental purposes and the closer to the station the property is, the more expensive it will be as well.

The husbot worked in London for 18 months and we wanted to be within an hour's train ride (got in at Euston Station), we ended up in St Neots. It was 42 minutes to Euston and a relatively small market town with everything you need. I think I still have the spreadsheet we created with all the train times/ costs (costs would be wildly different now) and rental cost (also different). If you send me your email address, I'll forward it on to you and it may help you narrow down your choices.

Clakyvip:
Anyone in Norwich?

I used to live near Norwich. I call it my 2nd UK hometown

Lexusgs430:


Ticha is the class monitor..........

Honestly you're a case!

For those who want to gain skills in Construction, HGV and IT. 16 weeks bootcamp and they're supposed to be free - I say supposed because I haven't delved into the nitty gritty of each one.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-a-skills-bootcamp/list-of-skills-bootcamps

sweetveek:
Please any active person living in new Zealand here?it seems most new Zealanders are no longer active,i need assistance with something

Haba, we're active na

The borders are only beginning to open but shoot!

sweetveek:
sorry to ask,but are you in new Zealand or uk?

Based in both for now till 2024. Although sister rona never allow me reach UK for 2 years

Mamatukwas:


@Ticha of Laive!! 2 bottles of fresh groundnut for you!! Collect kiss

I go collect that fresh groundnut o! I miss it so much! It doesn't taste the same in the abroad at all!

babajeje123:
Please can someone explain, in its simple way, what 37.9% APR (variable) of a credit card mean? Thank you

37.9% of the balance (eg 5000)/ 12 to give you a monthly payment or x12 to give you the annual interest payment. Basically if you have a loan or credit for 3k, your annual repayment if you don't clear the balance every month is 3k x 37.9.

https://www.thebalance.com/calculate-monthly-interest-315421 - breaks it down even further.

Honestly don't worry about what they learn in the first 2 years of school and I say that as a fully qualified teacher. As long as they can identify letters, numbers, some words, they're good to go. Before age 6, the emphasis is on learning through play as well as developing social skills - learning to share, not hitting, can feed themselves, dress themselves, pay attention for short bursts, follow directions etc

In New Zealand where we are, primary school starts the first Monday after a child turns 6. Some children remain at home till that day cos parents can't afford childcare unless they take advantage of Kindy which although is technically a free 20 hours, it's not. They're graduating Drs, Engrs, tradies and all sorts of skilled individuals. It is the same in majority of Scandinavia where their education system is touted as one of the best in the world.

Just keep an eye on what they're learning and buttress it at home by reading to them etc. You can download the EY curriculum and see where they should be at and follow that lead. When they get to around age 8, get Khan Academy - it's free. Then support them through max 15 minutes of work daily, increasing it a bit till you get to 1 hour of study time. That should be around age 10. Basically lay the foundations for them to love learning as school won't do that but allow them to be children too please.

It's coming to summer. Please and please, buy sunscreen and hats for the children! The sun is not as hot as we know it but the level of air pollution is lower so the more harmful rays of the sun passes through. Sun burn is no joke at all and can cause permanent skin damage. Get SPF 50+ for children and at least 35+ for adults. We also need to balance it with getting Vit D. We only need 15 mins of what I call sun worship to get a good dose of Vit D. The good thing is that they will get that 15 mins at school so apply sunscreen in the morning before they leave and they're good to go!

babythug:
I watched the film blue story yesterday! It really resonated with me because I have teenage sons. Thankfully we don’t live in the ghettoish part of the Uk. However I’m keen to learn tips to avoid them being influenced by peers to learn bad behaviour etc. for now i just threaten them lol . Any body with tips?

I don't have teenagers yet but used to teach them. Basically start as you mean to continue. Have another trusted adult that they can relate with, that can guide them, someone they can look up to as well.

I very carefully vet my own friends and the friends of my kids. I am particular about where we live. I am a people person and my husband says I collect people like Brits collect stray animals so I'd rather rent in a nice area with good schools, mainly working class families than buy in just an okayish area because I aim to interact and hang out with my neighbours and parents from the local school. I also show my no nonsense attitude from day 1. If parent requests a play date, I tell them that if their kids come visiting, they will do chores if my kids are doing chores or I send them home, if my kids are studying, then they must all join. I'll tell them off too if they misbehave. Obviously, it weeds out the permissive parents and their children immediately. I also don't let them call me or the husbot by name. We be mates?

I remember meeting a guy from Guinea Bissau in Bath. I was with a friend so we were 2 black ladies in a very obviously white space. We stopped, greeted and got talking. He was there with his son who is a similar age to mine. He was so disparaging of people and uncouth in the way he was speaking of people (as usual talk quickly went to immigration wahala and home issues). He was also very disparaging of women - specifically white women but I bet he would be the same about black women as well. When we were leaving, he asked for our numbers. I said I didn't have mine in my head and didn't have my phone. My friend was surprised but she gave him her number.
I was honest with her and told her that from the way he was speaking, he is definitely not the kind of male influence I want around my children especially my son as my husband is also not black. I am not aiming to raise a hood black child abeg. She said ah, but our people are like that na. My response was those are not my kind of our people. I no fit shout abeg

Ukliving:



Some people are sending me messages that I should connect them to the company that sponsors.
There is more to the story than I didn't mention. Apart from what I raised in my previous post, the place where the job is Hertfordshire . I was told to look for accommodation in one of the following areas Buntingford, Hertford, Ware, Sawbridgeworth, Bishop Stortford, Hoddesson
Which are all about an hour away from London and very expensive. Two bedroom is average £1200 per month. Salary after tax is about £1500. So imagine having only £300 to take home after all that hardwork. Yes I'm married but we don't know when spouse will get a job, could take a while and even when he does, relying on his income for other bills for such a long time doesn't sit well with me.

Once you've had some experience with the company in Glasgow, you'll be probably be able to get a sponsored one. Do a pros and cons list - take the job with the most pros.