Ideally the perfect Working flat would be DR Who's tardis that you can move when you need to ESP when you get busted or are touring lol

However as i ave never been able to get a tardis my thoughts are if a house then a end house is great as you will have 2 entrances and /or or a side entrance  as well if your only doing a few clients then you can use both entrances.    No pun intended
Or one that has no neighbour opposite .one that i rented was opposite a graveyard and on a main rd so no probs there


Flats purpose built not conversions unless done very well because normally the noise  is awful I had one where it was a asement flat so great but upstairs played the piano ( well they thought they did and trying to shag to the funeral march is not fun)

 But basement flats are great    or flats with loads of apartents and preferably several entrances and lots of professional people in them
   Flats that don't have people windows looking at you door ie around a court yard ect setting and communal garden where people congregate and chat ect

The more people on your floor the better  also ones were the flats  are not directly opposite so even if looking out of spy hole they can't see bugger all

The best flat I had was one that had around 40 on each floor anfpd my own flat   the worse where I got Sussed within 2 weeks was one that had a courtyard and one that only had 3 flats on each floor and one on a main rd opposite a rank of busy shops.  All of these we got Sussed within a week or so )

Look out for signs that proclaim monthly residents meetings neighbourhood watch meetings ect
It often means that  your living close to nosey neighbours

If you can move in and not be seen then that's even better I've moved in overnight like a vampire

If it a private landlord find out if they used to live there because if they did chances are the neighbours have there number on speed dial to complain and complain they will.

Personally I wouldn't rent from a woman again either as all the ones that I had to leave from due to getting Sussed were owned by women  judgemental yeh but that's just my experience

The best were professional cooperate lets or male landlords

Avoid places that are close to schools and churches ect if possible cause nothing gets the local PTA. And the vicars smock in a twist than the local prossie corupting the young

I used to rent two separate places. It was a nightmare, too many outgoings and having to work doubly hard. The building was perfect, but it became a hassle. Tidying two places up, having to run from one place to the other sometimes at short notice, dealing with 2 different landlords etc became too stressful.

So I gave one place up, and now I am much happier working from home. I live in a massive anonymous apartment block, half the flats on my floor are empty, and the guy next door I have seen once in 6 months. Its also quite hard to get in my building without being buzzed in so I've never had anyone randomly knock on my door, and personally I don't mind sleeping in the same bed (as long as the sheets are changed).

I would like to move to a bigger place, but I'd be looking at another ?250 a month and I'd much rather save that money, especially as there is no major reason to leave.

xx

Quote from: casey_kisses on 09 December 2012, 10:24:23 am

I live in a massive anonymous apartment block,

I agree that anonymous apartment blocks are the best and if there is a buzzer system you have a bit of added safety (so long as someone else doesnt let anyone in) but as I still have family that lives with me, even if I considered working from home, which I never would, it could be compromised if anyone came home from work unexpectedly. (   try explaining that to family members. ROFL).

We just have to work around what is comfortable with us.

This is a common recommend however some small (and very purpose built)apartment blocks can be very 'communal' with residents keeping an eye on parking spaces, generally being very protective and knowing what's going on. Having lived in one I'd be extremely careful in future, although many clients still thought it anonymous it isn't when they park in neighbours spaces, forget the flat number so either press the another buzzer asking the other occupants to let them into Miss Whatever's flat or phoning and shouting "Which number is it Miss R?", greet you loudly by name as they come up the stairs/into the flat clutching a wad of notes.

Amy's solution of meeting by the main entrance is however one which could be used to eliminate such problems if you are in a smaller block.

This is a common recommend however some small (and very purpose built)apartment blocks can be very 'communal' with residents keeping an eye on parking spaces, generally being very protective and knowing what's going on. Having lived in one I'd be extremely careful in future, although many clients still thought it anonymous it isn't when they park in neighbours spaces, forget the flat number so either press the another buzzer asking the other occupants to let them into Miss Whatever's flat or phoning and shouting "Which number is it Miss R?", greet you loudly by name as they come up the stairs/into the flat clutching a wad of notes.

Amy's solution of meeting by the main entrance is however one which could be used to eliminate such problems if you are in a smaller block.

I agree smaller blocks can be hazardous to work from due to neighbours "protecting" their or others parking places.  I was lucky when I worked from a multi storey that I could see all traffic coming into street and I never took visitors anywhere near "normal" parking as I know this irks neighbours.  I usually tried to ensure visitors called from their vehicle but a few slipped through but I was always very strict with instructions to where I was and told them to be very discreet as neighbours may hear what they are saying.

I would never go down to door to meet clients unless they were disabled and needed assistance.  If they werent sensible enough to be able to take my simple instructions then I would rather do without the booking and have done in some cases.

What I have been doing is giving out a number about 5/10 doors down and instructing them to park there and call me for buzzer details BEFORE they get out of their car. Then walk swiftly to my place and be buzzed in.

What do people think of this? right idea? or is there a better way?

x

Yes I think this is good especially if you can see the location you are giving out too.  However, you have to make sure he knows he has to call before he leaves his vehicle.I did this when working from a friends apartment in Bristol. We could take all the security precautions we do and there would still be some numpty fk us up.

There was one guy at my incall apartment that turned up WITH A CHILD ............... he was promptly told to leave.  WTF was he intending to do with the child while he was getting his end away ......... I was so pleased I was in a situation to be able to see in their cars.   What some guys do is unbelievable.

Yeah I can see them approaching the number I've given them in their car this way  x so I then know just to cancel quickly not to give them my real house number let alone buzzer if I know them (has happened a few times eeek)

Yeah exactly, that's my reasoning too.

But is the way I am doing it the best way, or is there a better way? Perhaps to be less confusing just giving out the street (I am at the beginning of a street) and just looking out the window to see them driving into street and parking?

Can't think of any other ways  x

If you can see the end of the street why not just say, please park and call me from the end of the street?Obviously designating which end by your wording, eg corner of North Road and South Road, or top end of if at the top of a hill. Sound much more natural too.