Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Can I refuse a new kitchen from housing association?

161 replies

papperlao · 18/08/2022 09:48

Basically I am having a new kitchen fitted starting next Friday plus a full hose re wire.
The thought of all the mess /stress and decoration to be done after is giving me anxiety.
The kitchen I've chose is lovely but it's all the mess..no kitchen for a week so will have kettle etc in bedroom
Can I say I don't want it?

OP posts:
Thurst · 18/08/2022 13:02

orbitalcrisis · 18/08/2022 10:24

They really should be putting you up in a hotel for the duration of the rewire, an electric kettle in your room is not going to help if you have nothing to plug it into.

Bloody hell you think it’s reasonable to get a new kitchen and to be put up in a hotel. Unless there is someone with disabilities or something that’s ridiculous. You know we all pay for these services don’t you? Cost of living is through the roof and you suggest the public purse should be putting people in hotels rather than lowering rents or providing fuel or food?
I haven’t had a proper kitchen for months due to having our kitchen done and I feel very grateful to have the opportunity.

LongLiveThyKing · 18/08/2022 13:04

berksandbeyond · 18/08/2022 11:02

It's still a free kitchen 🤷🏼‍♀️
If you don't like it, you have the choice to move out and get one of those super cheap amazing mortgages then. And then you can pay when the boiler goes, or any upgrades need done? Easy peasy huh. Some people are never grateful 😂

Show quote history

Do you think housing association tenants dont want to own their own home and a mortgage? Obviously for whatever reason OP never achieved that or married rich enough. Then saving for a mortgage on top of renting it’s pretty tough. I hate this be grateful for what your given attitude. They still have to pay the rent, pay the bills etc. But instead of living somewhere of your choice it’s in the worst area/worst accommodation “get what you’re given” and looked down on by people like you. These kitchens they put in are the cheapest and most basic they can get away with.

FKATondelayo · 18/08/2022 13:06

My dad refused all repairs to his HA house and we had to pay £1000s in repair and maintenance when he died.

Dirtylittleroses · 18/08/2022 13:07

Married Rich? You don’t need to marry rich for a couple to afford a house that costs 65 grand.

REP22 · 18/08/2022 13:07

papperlao · 18/08/2022 12:59

I'm just going to get it done.
Let them in on a morning and go to my dads
Tell them to push key through the door
Go back on a night and try and keep on top of the mess
The units have a sticker in dec 1992 that's when the last kitchen was installed
So we are talking 30 years

If I think of it positively -it's been 5 years since I pained so could Do with a touch up anyway

Good for you @papperlao , that sounds really wise.

I am a housing association tenant too. I had a new kitchen and bathroom about 10 years ago in mine.

Yes, it was a certain amount of hassle but I am so glad it was done. The old rooms really weren't fit for purpose and some of the wiring was on the way to being dangerous.

I really do understand why you are feeling anxious. But it will be OK. I'm glad you're not going to tell them to cancel. I hated it at the time, but am glad that it was done. Try to focus on how much you will enjoy the new kitchen when it's all finished. And the mess probably won't be as bad as you think it might be. They will put dust-sheets down and should do a basic tidy when they're finished.

Best wishes to you. x

berksandbeyond · 18/08/2022 13:09

Dirtylittleroses · 18/08/2022 13:07

Married Rich? You don’t need to marry rich for a couple to afford a house that costs 65 grand.

Yeah my house deposit was more than £65k, i'm not going to feel sorry that someone is disrupted by their free kitchen being fitted

Thurst · 18/08/2022 13:09

No one’s is saying ‘get what your given’. If the OP was saying she had got mould or unsafe wiring she would have the right to complain. Saying I can’t be arsed with being given free home improvements sounds a bit ungrateful.

berksandbeyond · 18/08/2022 13:10

I didn't marry rich either, we both just worked hard. Sorry that's not what people want to hear though

Wetblanket78 · 18/08/2022 13:10

We had new windows put in a few years ago and new boiler and radiators. (Council house) I was concerned about how much mess and muck there would be but there was hardly any. I am desperate for a new kitchen. The one we have is not fit for purpose. But no mention of a new one being put in. Put dust sheets down move fridge freezer to the living room. If you have a dining table put the microwave and kettle on there. It's only for a week they always have a few on the job to get it done asap. My brother went months without a kitchen to get his done. A week is nothing.

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/08/2022 13:12

So many assumptions on here.

BEAM123 · 18/08/2022 13:13

The housijg association I am with do new kitchens every 15-20 years. (I am shared ownership so I had to pay for my own)
I wouldn't turn it down or you'll be waiting years

evilharpy · 18/08/2022 13:15

I'm horrified that 1992 was 30 years ago!

When we had our kitchen replaced (although not council/HA) the builders were very considerate and left the cooker and sink functional for as long as they could, and brushed and tidied up after themselves at the end of every day. In fact any time we've had work done the trades have tidied up after themselves and while a bit of dust and mess is inevitable it really wasn't ever as bad as I expected.

It'll be worth it OP. Short term pain for long term gain.

Original poster
papperlao · 18/08/2022 13:16

Bloody hell
So people who don't own their homes don't work hard?
Not that I should but a little backstory
I work part time due to being a carer for my mum who has dementia
She was diagnosed in her 50s with vascular dementia ...it's progressed so much now so needs a carer and carers coming in 3 x a day.
So ...unfortunately up till now I couldn't manage to scrape together a deposit for my own home.
When she passes away I can return to work full time and hopefully afford my own property.
So me "moaning" about a "free " kitchen ..isn't really that..it's one more thing on top of a ever growing pile of stress and worry ...trying to juggle everything as well as worrying about not having enough time to care for my mum.

OP posts:
Wetblanket78 · 18/08/2022 13:17

When I've had work done the workmen were very respectful of my home. They never made much mess and put plastic dustsheets down throughout the house including the stairs.(council house) If you're going to be out though don't forget to leave tea coffee and biscuits out.

chinuptitsoutonwards · 18/08/2022 13:18

This is your anxiety talking, just think how many situations has your anxiety been right? Very few.

Bite the bullet, call in as much help as you can get, get the new kitchen and even if it takes you until Christmas to get the house straight again how worth it will it be to have a new kitchen?

Original poster
papperlao · 18/08/2022 13:18

So no it isn't a case of "can't be arsed with home improvements"
It's the disruption of 1 more thing that I will have to do.
Worrying il have to be there to let them in ...what if they are late
Mum will be waiting and might need the toilet etc etc
I didn't want to write my whole life story

OP posts:
MercurialMonday · 18/08/2022 13:20

So me "moaning" about a "free " kitchen ..isn't really that..it's one more thing on top of a ever growing pile of stress and worry ...trying to juggle everything as well as worrying about not having enough time to care for my mum.

You might be able to defer if you talk to them - DH DGP were in end of life care and his Uncle carer said no but they came back 12 month later and asked again and circumstances had changed and got it done.

Though getting it out the way if you have somewhere else to stop might be better then it done and nothing to be worrying about.

Eunorition · 18/08/2022 13:20

Boo fucking hoo, a week of mess for a brand new kitchen you're being given for free?

You do realise you're rather lucky? Most people don't get free kitchens. Whinging that your freebies may inconvenience you when others work long hours and still can't have kitchens is rude in the extreme.

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/08/2022 13:21

Eunorition · 18/08/2022 13:20

Boo fucking hoo, a week of mess for a brand new kitchen you're being given for free?

You do realise you're rather lucky? Most people don't get free kitchens. Whinging that your freebies may inconvenience you when others work long hours and still can't have kitchens is rude in the extreme.

🙄

adobeadobe · 18/08/2022 13:22

Bloody hell. You don't know how lucky you are. Having a social home is like winning the lottery. Accept the free kitchen ffs!

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 18/08/2022 13:22

My parents (80's) are living in an absolute shit hole of a HA flat as the previous tenant refused both a bathroom and kitchen refit. It regularly makes my mum cry (mental health issues anyway but this is a huge trigger) and they hate having people over as it's so awful. HA refuse to do it as they legally don't have to and I guess there's no ££ for it.

Anyway I digress but agree with others you'll probably never get this chance with this property again. It will be worth the short time pain Flowers

SunnyD44 · 18/08/2022 13:22

I'm just going to get it done.
Let them in on a morning and go to my dads

Tell them to push key through the door
Go back on a night and try and keep on top of the mess*
The units have a sticker in dec 1992 that's when the last kitchen was installed*

So we are talking 30 years

If I think of it positively -it's been 5 years since I pained so could Do with a touch up anyway

Good for you OP!

Once it’s over you’ll be so happy that it was done.

Whenever I’ve had work people in I’ve stayed upstairs out of their way all day or left my mobile number and a spare key and said to lock up when they’re done and to contact me if they need me.

Remember they do this all day everyday and are so used to being in different houses.
They’d rather just be able to get on with it and don’t need you to do anything or chat to them.

vodkaredbullgirl · 18/08/2022 13:23

papperlao · 18/08/2022 13:18

So no it isn't a case of "can't be arsed with home improvements"
It's the disruption of 1 more thing that I will have to do.
Worrying il have to be there to let them in ...what if they are late
Mum will be waiting and might need the toilet etc etc
I didn't want to write my whole life story

You don't need to explain, people get their knickers in a twist, when it comes to not owning your own home.

ItWasntMyFault · 18/08/2022 13:23

I work for a HA.

For everyone saying 'go to your dad's' we wouldn't do the work unless there was an adult present in the property as it puts our operatives at risk of accusations that things have gone missing.

JudgeJ · 18/08/2022 13:23

When my mother's council house had a lot of work done, kitchen, bathroom, central heating they moved her into another house for about 3 months, may they offer a temporary move though 1 week doesn't seem too bad! If it was your own house you would have to cope with a bit of upheaval for work being done.