Page 16 | Housing association saying I’m unreasonable I don’t think I am !!!

HAunreasonable · 2025-01-24T08:23:26+00:00

The HA need to do planned repair/upgrade work. The appt slots are 830-1230 or 130-530. I asked them to book mine around school runs but twice they’ve turned up when I’m out ? Now saying that if they are ‘refused entry’ a third time it will lead to further action??? Surely they have to be fair about this and come at a time that works for everyone

Winter2020 · 24/01/2025 08:40

I would reply formally in writing - this can be an email but follow up with a posted letter.

State that you are writing in reference to their letter dated xxxx regarding entry to the property.

State all the hours you can accommodate
E.g. 9:30-2.00
And 4-10pm

State that you have no other means to get your child to school and that your offer of these hours has been ignored.

Stare that you have also offered that the housing association can also complete the works without you present and you can provide access via a key safe - and that this has been declined.

State that if they choose to take further action (for example request a warrant of entry via a court or to serve notice) this letter will form your defence of offering reasonable access to the Court and you consider that they the housing association are the ones not making reasonable accommodations rather than you.

Edit to say it wouldn't hurt to call your letter "a complaint" as hhe housing association is likely to have targets to resolve complaints and involve the higher ups who are not so "computer says no".

romdowa · 24/01/2025 08:40

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:34

They won’t authorise the absence though as it could end up a whole morning or afternoon off

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Call the kids in sick for the day in that case. You really don't want to have the h/a on your case

TrashPanda · 24/01/2025 08:39

Our HA used to offer 3 slots; morning 8-12, afternoon 1-5 and school 10-2. It wasn't there when we first moved in. With the original time slots I always used to say at first contact that I would be unavailable 8-9 or 2.30-3.30. The school day slot started appearing a few years later so I assume they had lots of people say the same and figured it was more sensible to offer that than end up with loads of failed visits to pay for.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 24/01/2025 08:39

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:36

I dont understand why they can’t use a key ? If for example it’s an afternoon slot and they turn up at 2pm and the job takes a while I have to leave for school run at 230 ? What will they do say they can’t continue and leave when I do ? Surely not so why can’t I leave a key !!!

Because you could say things were broken or stolen. Again it's the fact that a few 'opportunistic' people have done this and ruined things for everyone else. Not the HAs fault, they're protecting themselves.

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:39

FiveShelties · 24/01/2025 08:36

Do you want the work to be done?

It’s not something that’s really affecting us but I understand they have to maintain the properties so it’s fine it’s just they aren’t flexible at all

OP posts:

LoafofSellotape · 24/01/2025 08:39

It sounds like you don't want the work done tbh. Of course you can't leave a key to random work men! Either tell the school you'll be late , pull a sicky or ask another parent to do the school run. What do you think everyone else does?

CoralHare · 24/01/2025 08:38

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:28

There’s nobody else who can do
the school run and no suitable neighbours to ask (one is very elderly , one works nights and the others I hardly see I think they work )

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Such a pain! Sorry.I’ve asked other parents from school when I’ve been in a bind and they’ve been really kind and helped me out (and I’ve been happy to return the favour).

Mingenious · 24/01/2025 08:38

This is how it works for everyone - private renters, owners, landlords.

Sucks, but it’s just life. We own and we had no gas last week as cadent were doing something, the boiler broke and one of us had to stay in, the chimney sweep, the plumber, etc, etc. living in a property means you have to facilitate repairs & maintenance - regardless of who owns it

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:38

Wellwhynotthen · 24/01/2025 08:37

You must understand that some people will make up lies about things stolen or broken, its to safeguard everyone!

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Yes I suppose you’re right

OP posts:

Fencehedge · 24/01/2025 08:38

You seem to be obstructive about this, yes you are being unreasonable.

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:38

Geneticsbunny · 24/01/2025 08:36

Just arrange a morning slot and drop them and rush home. You will be home by 9 at the latest surely?

915 as traffic and buses are awful that time of day but it’s not too bad I thought ? They aren’t flexible at all. One of my dc isn’t allowed at breakfast club till they secure 1-1
for him so I can’t use that option yet

OP posts:

Elisheva · 24/01/2025 08:37

How far away is the school? Could you put a note on the door saying ‘on school run, will be back at…’
Saying that, with all recent tradespeople I’ve asked them to come around the school run and it’s not been a problem. They generally phone to say they’re on their way and have been happy to wait a couple of minutes while I dash home.

Wellwhynotthen · 24/01/2025 08:37

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:36

I dont understand why they can’t use a key ? If for example it’s an afternoon slot and they turn up at 2pm and the job takes a while I have to leave for school run at 230 ? What will they do say they can’t continue and leave when I do ? Surely not so why can’t I leave a key !!!

You must understand that some people will make up lies about things stolen or broken, its to safeguard everyone!

Geneticsbunny · 24/01/2025 08:36

Just arrange a morning slot and drop them and rush home. You will be home by 9 at the latest surely?

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:36

I dont understand why they can’t use a key ? If for example it’s an afternoon slot and they turn up at 2pm and the job takes a while I have to leave for school run at 230 ? What will they do say they can’t continue and leave when I do ? Surely not so why can’t I leave a key !!!

OP posts:

FiveShelties · 24/01/2025 08:36

Do you want the work to be done?

shellyleppard · 24/01/2025 08:35

Drop the children off early for a breakfast club??? Or pick up later for the afternoon appointment?? Appreciate its difficult waiting in for them to turn up

MALJST978 · 24/01/2025 08:35

Ask another parent to do the school run for you on that day.

Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 24/01/2025 08:35

Have you left a note on the door? Saying you'll be back in 10 minutes ir something? I've done that before (not HA but other services)

fingertraps · 24/01/2025 08:35

Unfortunately this is just how life works.

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:35

CoffeeCup14 · 24/01/2025 08:33

Ask them to put you first on the list for an afternoon appointment. It depends what the repair work is but they will want to get in to do it.

I’ve asked but I will ask again

OP posts:

LittleRedRidingHoody · 24/01/2025 08:34

Does the school have a breakfast club that does one off sessions?

Original poster

HAunreasonable · 24/01/2025 08:34

romdowa · 24/01/2025 08:33

You'll have to let the school know that you will have to drop the children late on that particular day. Not much else you can do

They won’t authorise the absence though as it could end up a whole morning or afternoon off

OP posts:

Melonportal · 24/01/2025 08:34

Can the kids go to breakfast or after school club?

Wellwhynotthen · 24/01/2025 08:34

My school has emergency slots for one offs breakfast club so dc could be dropped off and you back at home before 8.30. Id ask a school parent to help.

You wont get anywhere with HA. Maybe put your phone number on the door to say if no.answer please call 123456..

Further action could be them entering the property with someone from HA as a witness.