This morning, I got woken up, not by the familiar sound of my alarm, but by a series of thumps on my front door.  Not knocks: thumps.

By the time I’d recovered from leaping out of bed at high speed, scrambled for my dressing gown, and stumbled down the stairs, two workmen were emerging through the door.

Fortunately – otherwise I’d have zoomed back upstairs and been onto the police pronto - I remembered that the meter was due to be checked, and the landlords had given out the spare keys.

That, I’d presumed, was because the meter people would be coming when I was out at work - but this was 8.15 in the morning, for god’s sake.

Anyway, all was fine, no police time was wasted, and I headed back upstairs to get ready.

About twenty minutes later – it seems meter checking is a long process – one of them hollered up to ask if he could use the bathroom facilities.

Our bathroom is next to our bedroom.  We have thin walls. Cue an immense amount of whistling, humming and banging on my part in a desperate attempt to avoid hearing any untoward noises.

Shortly afterwards they bade a cheery goodbye, leaving me to continue my morning routine uninterrupted.

Or so I thought. Just before heading out, I went into the bathroom to check on the position of the toilet seat – men, y’know - and found a farewell token.

Mercifully, it was of the liquid variety, and he’d obviously been embarrassed that it hadn’t flushed away – there was toilet paper and the lid was down.

But honestly – rude awakenings and lasting impressions - and there was nothing wrong with the bloody meter in the first place.

Have you had any unfortunate experiences with workmen?

We’d like to hear your horror stories…

Related Tags: workmen, Tenant, Renting & Letting, bathroom, Landlord

Related Posts: