Thanks gents.

The laundry seems to be working now, 3rd repair's the charm I guess.

Another fellow is supposed to bring me a vacuum cleaner today (missing from the flat at move-in), which at least gives me the opportunity to clean the flat myself before the family arrives.

Cable TV and telephone is still an issue because it's the agency's property manager looking after it, not the "soldiers" of the company who have actually come to my flat and tried to accommodate my needs.

Thanks again for your comments and questions! For those of you who have bothered to read my long saga, I'll keep you posted ;o)