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

lots of whataboutery there!

Yes. Just one of life’s inconveniences but it all works out x

Stick a note on your door saying "school run, back by 9.15" (or whatever time) and leave a packet of biscuits out.

Unfortunately compliance works will always take priority, it’s not only keeping the tenant safe but the neighbours and others around the property.

You’d be the first to complain if a house blew up or someone was electrocuted because the HA failed to ensure their properties were compliant.

This is not said to be scaremongering, they are the very reasons why they legally have to be completed because people have died or been injured.

I think HA people are so lucky, so very lucky, they should do whatever they are told and not set demands - I clearly remember, paying so much more to live in a rented room in Euston in 1990s, compared to a 2-bedroom flat in the HA association next door - Datchet House, Augustus Street!!!! I was young and could not understand how it is possible to live in such luxury for a pittance!

Haven't read the full thread so this may have been suggested and discounted, but I note you have a keysafe. Put keys in keysafe. Put note on the door for the contractors to call your mobile for keysafe code. When they call your mobile, give them the keysafe code and tell them you will be home in 10 mins. (Whilst it might be head office policy to not use keysafes, the contractors are probably unaware, and would just be keen to avoid a wasted journey).

Maybe just call in ill that day and dc stays off school

OP you do need to think contingency plans - this time it's the HA, what would you do if you broke your leg and couldn't walk ? How would you manage the school run then? Or had major surgery ?

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend

Where are you getting 10 mins from? - as this isn’t the case with the OP.

I had misread the OPs post and thought the appointment slots were 9am - 12, but they're 8.30 on. The OP has said she's back from 9.15, so at the most it's 45 mins in the morning. And much the same in the afternoon. She's made reasonable efforts to arrange an appointment and has offered to leave a key. She has a legal duty for her children to be in school as well. I really cannot believe that a court is going to mandate for a landlord to break into the property when the tenant has made more than reasonable efforts to allow them access around fulfilling her other legal duties for her children to attend school.

Here's the shelter position on it:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/repairs/repairssandinspectionssaccesstooyourrenteddhome

They have a template suggesting how to arrange an alternative time. Seems to me the OP has been more than reasonable in trying to to allow them access.

Right, so I had this last year with my gas boiler visit.
They threatened to take me to court or repossess my home for refusing entry.
I work full-time and they were booking midday slots and refused to do a weekend.
I had to book a day off work to have this bloody gas visit.
The actual engineer at my door said they will 100% take you to court but when you stand in court and tell them “I’ve told them multiple times I can only do evenings or weekends but they refused”… it’s the HA in the shit for not accommodating working people.

And they also often have mortgages.

What if a tenant was unwell and in hospital, or had an urgent unmissable medical appointment for chemotherapy? Or someone dies and they were attending a funeral.

Oh well, I'm sure the compliance work must take priority over all other life events 🙄

It’s not free. The HA are maintaining their property that the op pays rent to live in.

Op just phone them and rearrange the date for the next half term. It’s ignoring them and letting them turn up whenever that will cause the issue.

Exactly.
"This thread really is mental" about sums it up. I'm new to MN. Are they all like this?!

And you were in control of what was done to your house and who did the work.

OP is having work done that she doesn't want or need. She has no control over the process. She can't phone around and get a workman who can fit into her schedule, like I can as a teacher with my own home.

A private contractor working for an individual who owns their home is far more flexible and helpful. They need to be. They need the work, they need the word of mouth recommendations, and the reviews. They also can't afford the lost unpaid time involved in turning up when the householder isn't there.

A contractor working for the council couldn't give a stuff. They get paid anyway. Why care about the person in that HA house or help them out on any way? They don't matter.

Exactly, they are being dicks and make-works.

People picking their children up from school is a legitimate part of life and they should be able to work around it. It's not like the OP has said "Sorry, I have a hair appointment" or "Sorry, I'm having my nails done."

It's not beyond the wit of man to organise a convenient appointment, and the Housing Association is completely at fault for any additional administration costs it occurs as a result.

@Cattery yes - and if you pay for a mortgage, you have monthly costs and then repairs on top. And you still have to waste a day of annual leave to wait in for the repairman - it's just part of adult life unfortunately.

I've lost count of the number of days DH and I have wasted waiting in for people who either don't show up or who cancel midway through the day 🤷‍♀️

I’ve had similar problems. I’m a single parent, so I have no other option than to work around school times - they say they can’t do that and the slots are anytime between 8am - 5pm. It’s lucky I can’t work (I’m disabled) as the slots are so unsuitable and working people would have to take the entire day off work incase they turn up. But what are you supposed to do when you can’t take your children out of school because you have building works done. they’re ridiculous and should work around you

My house is council and repairs are booked around school runs, it's not a problem. If council worker shows up early they wait or ring I've never had a issue.

And as a house owner. It's part of life!
When I was teaching full time and living by myself, repairs could only happen out of hours (often at extra cost to me) or during the school holidays. Plus I was paying for them.

The cost of all repairs is included in the monthly rent. Nothing is free

Of course courts can require you be in certain places at certain times. Even the court appearance itself with be at a dictated time . Not sure you can tell a court you can't attend because of the school run.

Where are you getting 10 mins from? - as this isn’t the case with the OP.

Its irrelevant really , the OP has been given a timeline, all the court is bothered about is that multiple appointments have been missed and the legal compliance work could not be completed due to no access.

I got a phone call just before I moved in as something needed to be done with the boiler. I requested this the first and second time - I phoned both times as I was told 8-5 and couldn't be given a time slot. They didn't understand my issue - I was having to get up early and get the bus from my old flat and wait.

The third time they said they'll get the tradesman to call. He did and said he's one hour away

I had the same battle with my old HA - no one understood my issue with being given a time slot of 8-5. They claimed their booking system didn't allow a specific time