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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that emergency is actually an emergency and not some time between now and 6pm?

82 replies

Glitterknickaz · 02/07/2011 10:51

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH.

Had a childfree night, mum has them overnight. Rare and much enjoyed.
Until we came downstairs this morning.

There is water pouring through our kitchen ceiling.
It's not like the bathroom is above it or anything, this has got to be a heating pipe or something. So we've shut off the water at the mains and put a bucket under it for now, but there's a big hole in our kitchen ceiling (size of a fist). Shut the boiler down and I think that's all we can do. It is still dripping through, but not pouring thankfully.

Rung the housing association. Their emergency people have never heard of us (that's happened before - we've only lived here six years and they've not put us on their tenant list for their emergency service). So it took them an hour to confirm we're who we say we are Hmm

I've explained the situation, including that I have three disabled children, and they've said someone will be here between now (well an hour ago) and six this evening. Mum's having to keep the kids, they can't use the loo or wash their hands or anything here, and one of them has dodgy continence so we'd not be able to clear up properly in case of accidents. My poor mum!

Is it really an emergency service if it takes eight bloody hours to come out?!?!?!

OP posts:
GothAnneGeddes · 03/07/2011 11:58

YANBU and I'm stunned anyone could think otherwise.

Clean, running water is a right, not a privilege and rightly so. I'm a landlord and I would never, never, think it acceptable to leave my tenant without water.

Glitter - I hope you get it fixed quickly.

Shoesytwoesy · 03/07/2011 12:04

oh glitter that is awful,

FabbyChic · 03/07/2011 12:07

If you have children under a certain age they are obligated to ensure you have water, they have to there is no two ways about it. Legally they have to ensure there is water if you have babies or young children.

MadYoungCatLady · 03/07/2011 12:30

Wow didn't realise MN was full of total snobs! Yes, she lives in HA and gets repair work free. Stop being so jealous the lot of you! She has children who are disabled ffs!!!! She is MORE entitled than most to get fast repairs, not less.
Glitter you poor bugger. I believe Fabby is right - I am pretty sure you are entitled to clean water, especially so in your situation. Keep us updated! Fingers crossed for you this is sorted asap.

Mouseface · 03/07/2011 12:33

I'm with Fabby on this re young children, I'm sure it's against the law to leave you without water......

Who supplies your water to the mains?

They will have a contact number to call them, it might be worth a shot? I know the issue lies within the property, and I guess it is all down to your HA to sort, but maybe they can get you some bottled water?

Sorry that DS is struggling with the loo not working.

What a nightmare for you Glitter

Has DH fixed the loo yet?

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 12:33

I am literally going to set up camp in the HA reception at 9am tomorrow morning. Regardless whether or not this gets fixed today.

OP posts:
Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 12:34

Mouseface, we're using the water butt in the garden and a watering can to fill the cistern so we can flush. Don't like using rainwater for handwashing but it's ok with hand gel back up I suppose.

DS2 still not happy with loo situation so still soiling.

OP posts:
Mouseface · 03/07/2011 13:43

Sad - Glitter I hope that they will sort it out for you sooner rather than later.

Sorry DS is still upset.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 03/07/2011 14:17

Glitter
Can you get some water off your neighbours? Even if its just a couple of buckets for handwashing etc.

I would take this up at the highest level with the HA (consider also your local councillor or MP when the dust has settled) as it is utterly inappropriate that a parent with disabled children could be left without running water for so long.

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 14:19

We've got a couple of litre bottles we've nabbed of neighbours, we've used up our water butt flushing the loo.
I feel bad cos they're on meters.
I'm going to have a field day tomorrow.

OP posts:
TattyDevine · 03/07/2011 14:29

Not allowed to hug you on Mumsnet but may I offer you a Wine

Its nearly wine o'clock.

mummytime · 03/07/2011 14:41

Just sending sympathy. I would also email my MP about this, and maybe the local paper. It is unacceptible.

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 16:21

Still not fixed.
Thanks for good wishes

OP posts:
Mouseface · 03/07/2011 20:08

Glitter - that really is shite. I hope that tomorrow morning they sort this out for you xx

ThisIsANiceCage · 03/07/2011 20:29

Oh good grief, Glitter that's awful.

Is there any chance of taking the top off the toilet cistern and filling it with a watering can from the butt or from nice neighbours? Helluva lot of work for you, but might solve DS's discomfort with the loo not flushing?

You can reduce the cistern volume, if necessary, by putting in a plastic bottle weighted with stones or water.

Good luck.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 03/07/2011 20:40

Sad Glitter. I'm amazed by some of the responses on here!

I have no practical advice but hope they get it sorted soon.

BulletWithAName · 03/07/2011 20:44

I feel your pain. We were left without heating and hot water by our council for 5 days. In the dead of winter. When it was snowing.

They really are cunts. Hope you're ok and it gets sorted soon as Sad

wonkylegs · 03/07/2011 20:52

Sorry I didn't see this earlier or I would suggest that you threaten them with phoning the papers/news and by that I mean nationals ....ask them how they would like to explain to a journalist from the sun/BBC/express add appropriate news agency here about how the left disabled children in sweltering temperatures with no running water...
If you've got a good enough story then they know the value of staying away from bad publicity.... I've done it twice and the results were truly amazing!
Was interviewed by BBC when the exam board cocked up the release of exam results and I nearly lost my uni place - before interview they couldn't possibly get me my results quicker than 3 wks, 2 minutes after my live national radio appearance they phone up with the results Hmm
other time I just threatened to expose company for leaving a poor defenceless disabled lady (me) in a disaster zone - they saw the error of their ways dead quick and sorted it all out!Grin

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 21:28

Meridian news are interested. Not sure who else I could approach.
Nothing can be done until tomorrow now, apparently. They've definitely broken the law.

OP posts:
youarekidding · 03/07/2011 21:37

glitter Meridian. Are you down Saarth? Maybe near me if I could help at all I will. Especially after also being left by HA to freeze.

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 21:39

yep.... Horsham....
not much that can be done practically really tonight, we'll have to deal with soiling as we have been doing....
next steps are get in touch with HA in morning

OP posts:
youarekidding · 03/07/2011 21:40

Oh WS? Im in H'shire nr P#mth. If your still having problems and no water tomorrow let me know.

Are you with F W? I am and they're crap at helping when things go wrong. Great though at dealing with bad tenants and the gooduns have to suck it up.

Do you get all my abbreiviations Grin

Original poster
Glitterknickaz · 03/07/2011 21:43

Yeah, WS. You're a little way away.
Nah, we're with SHG. It's not them that have been the problem it's Homeserve

Honestly anyone on here, google Homeserve

OP posts:
youarekidding · 03/07/2011 21:45

Oh right. My HA uses their own emergency people - whom can't do the job as its the weekend. Confused

ThisIsANiceCage · 04/07/2011 17:15

Any progress today?