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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the 'decent homes standard' is the joke of the decade?

233 replies

ladyfirenze · 02/03/2011 12:58

Has anyone had their council homes 'upgraded' lately? Mine was done over christmas. Me and dc's were strongly advised to de-camp to a property provided by the council. This meant entirely moving house/storing white goods etc. Six weekd later we moved back. During this time we had a new kitchen put in, and new radiators as well as a re-wire.

I knew that I'd have to redecorate the whole place (three bed flat) but was promised help with the cost.

We got £160.

Also, because of the building, we had to use 'trunking' for all of the re-wire.

It looks shite. The trunking is cheap nasty looking crap, badly done. They had to come back over a period of two weeks after I'd returned to do 'snagging' and there are still bits which are sub-standard work.

The kitchen is okay, but wasn't actually done to the agreed plan. They had a huge hoo ha when I asked them to, and due to an exposed meter it couldn't be left. Their customer care is rubbish, and I was accused of being responsible for the kitchen not being correct... wtf??

six weeks on and I'm slowly getting the house sorted. I'm quite cabaple, but there are many who aren't, and will be left in a worse position than before.

OP posts:
usualsuspect · 02/03/2011 17:07

council house envy is rife on MN Grin as if half of them would want to live on a council estate anyway

Original poster
ladyfirenze · 02/03/2011 17:08

oh, and on top of that, re-tiling the bathroom myself, as the tiles and seal they have put on have cracked (again for the fourth time in a year) and yet again have leaked into the property below)

They recently had to replace the entire bathroom floor, as it had rotted. They then decided to replace the bath. During the re-wire they damaged the bath so that it no longer holds water. We have no shower. They have told me they'll need to replace the bath and of course, re-do the tiling.

some one posted that this is the norm with builders, but you chose your builders, I didn't.

OP posts:
alphamummy · 02/03/2011 17:09

Tips tips??!! Pay for it like everyone who doesnt live in LA does??!! What the hell do you think people in private rent and mortgages do?!

actually i have to hide this thread now. Some peoples sense of entitledment makes me so so so mad. I really really hope this thread kicks off to make you see how lucky you are.

FanellaFudge · 02/03/2011 17:09

Council house envy ? I'm envious of low rent, kitchen re-fits and cash given for decorating.

alphamummy · 02/03/2011 17:10

Oh trust me i do have envy, but i also have pride.

notbothered · 02/03/2011 17:10
Confused
notbothered · 02/03/2011 17:11

trust me builders would love to chose their tenants...

FanellaFudge · 02/03/2011 17:12

"some one posted that this is the norm with builders, but you chose your builders, I didn't."

Yeah, lucky you... it's a nightmare finding a reliable tradesman and 'project managing' a refurb. Even then, you could end up with a cowboy and have a shoddy job done. Even more gut wrenching when you have forked out £'s for it...

ambarth · 02/03/2011 17:13

Exactly usual suspect.

TheSecondComing · 02/03/2011 17:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lesley33 · 02/03/2011 17:17

council house envy? Lots of people who are owner occupiers or rent privately do live on council estates. In fact imo the people most likely to be envious are those who have bought an ex council house because they were not entitled to rent one, pay more than CH rents and struggle to afford basic repairs.

Both my parents and brother and his family live on estate with CH and ex CH. Brothers house is owner occupier with old boiler, falling apart kitchen, etc. My parents rent - they have had new bathroom, kitchen, new boiler and cavity wall insulation.

I am glad my elderly parents have had these improvements done. But I can also see why some people are envious.

nannyl · 02/03/2011 17:18

wish someone would give me a new kitchen, (My kitchen is 40 - 50 years old!) decoration and re wire for free

YABU

All our taxes pay for your new kitchen, so personally i wouldnt be complaining about it

Hmm Hmm Hmm

if you dont like it feel free to purchase your own property then you can pay for it to be how you want it

fortyplus · 02/03/2011 17:23

Some of you aren't listening - I think I'll have to shout... COUNCIL TAX DOES NOT PAY FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNCIL HOUSES - ONLY TENANTS' RENT DOES (though tenants in better off areas currently end up subsidising council tenants in inner city areas).

Niceguy2 · 02/03/2011 17:25

er I'm a council tax payer....
So what? I am too but they won't come and replace my kitchen.

some one posted that this is the norm with builders, but you chose your builders, I didn't.
But neither do you pay!

Look, they've not done a great job. By your own admission it was "ok". But be grateful you get it done at all rather than whine about it when most people don't get the luxury of the council coming to replace stuff without paying.

I'm phoning a tiler tomorrow to get my bathroom retiled after the last bodged it. I'll have to pay again so forgive me if I am unsympathetic to someone who moans after getting it all for free

usualsuspect · 02/03/2011 17:27

My mum rents a council house ..one new bathroom and replacement windows in 30 years ...hardly luxury living

My sisters council house has mould in the bedrooms and bathroom ,a big hole in the kitchen ceiling ..no eletric light in the kitchen due to a boiler leak ..no new bathroom or kitchen

You want it?

Original poster
ladyfirenze · 02/03/2011 17:31

I am totally grateful for my council house. My issue is with the work that was done, is going to end up costing more in the long run, because of the corner cutting that goes on.

OP posts:
Original poster
ladyfirenze · 02/03/2011 17:32

and to be fair, I did pay to decorate and carpet my house. It was a couple of years ago to be completely honest though!

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 02/03/2011 17:36

Im a HA tenant. I think the problem is that the most of those with council house envy are talking about council houses in decent areas.

Where i live every second house is boarded up, no one wants to live here, not even for £65 a week (for a three bed). The area is awfull and having owned my own house i can honestly say so is the quality of the building work.

In terms of HA the only money used for improvements is from rents or EU money that has been tapped into.

A sense of entitlement- i think that everyone should be entitled to decent housing and not live in fear whilst living there. Do you think that if HA and council housing were not available that anyone would work for low wages and just stand for the difference in living conditions in this country. Lots of people on here need to educate themselves in at least social policy, as a start.

Mists · 02/03/2011 17:39

Bullet the type of loan I was referring to is a home-improvement one secured on the property you own. This is, I am fairly sure, not available to tenants.

These used to be cheaper in days gone by, not sure about now.

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Going to catch up with the rest of the thread now.

Original poster
ladyfirenze · 02/03/2011 17:41

And nice guy, that luxury of the council coming to replace/ repair stuff goes a little like this

me : dear council, could you please replace my boiler? the thermostat went on it today, and it boiled hot water into dcs bedroom.

council: certainly ms firenze, are you available on (date in two weeks time)

me: yes certainly

two weeks later, having arranged somebody to take dcs to and from school, plus taken day off work

8.00am

me:

4.00pm

me: hi I'm expecting a workman..

council: he came and couldn't get access.

me: huh? wtf I was here all day! okay can I make another date

council: yes two weeks time.

next day

leaflet through door - sorry we missed you today.

me:

OP posts:
tethersend · 02/03/2011 17:44

Of all the people in society to be jealous of- people living in council houses? Seriously?

Is that where we've got to?

Nice one Dave, mission accomplished.

Casserole · 02/03/2011 17:45

Fortyplus - big deal whether it comes out of council tax or rent. My mortgage payments don't entitle me to free decorating and relocation while it's being done. And my mortgage is a lot more than CT rent payments.

Lady - your workman scenario happens with private contractors as well, you know. We just still have to PAY for the privilege.

nannyl · 02/03/2011 17:45

The same happens if you own your house too...

except you pay the builder / workman when he turns up Hmm

FanellaFudge · 02/03/2011 17:45

Typical homeowner phoning to get a bolier fixed:

Homeowner rings 6 companies... goes with best price/most reliable.

Arranges date, childcare, time off work. Workman doesn't turn up.

Workman comes at his next convienient slot.

Fixes bolier. Leaves toliet seat up, eats all the biscuits.

Charges homeowner £500 for 2 hours work.

mrsscoob · 02/03/2011 17:46

spot on tethersend, plus all the people saying on here she is getting a FREE kitchen..... She PAYS RENT