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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this isn't acceptable!

84 replies

2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 14/10/2012 19:26

Have just had a new bathroom installed by the landlord (social housing) of my home as part of planned improvement works they are doing.

I tried to say no to this as just 6 months earlier I had re-tiled and decorated the bathroom as well as fitting a shower (all with permission) but was told I had no choice, fair enough not my house.

Anyway they came and ripped out my brand new tiles, flooring and shower and also the bath toilet and sink, all this was skipped, such a waste considering most of it was brand new! The toilet only replaced 6 weeks ago as part of a repair!

They then obviously fitted new one's in their place.
Now here is the problem. The bath they have fitted is SO SO narrow it's unbelieveable! It's 4 inches narrower than the old bath PLUS it curves inwards so in actual fact at the narrowest point is a good 6 inches narrower.

I actually cannot fit!

I am a size 14, not tiny but not huge either, a little over average I believe and I am so squashed in the bath I cannot move and I have to lie/ sit with my arms up in the air as there is no room for them!

My hips and shoulders are too wide, it is physically impossible to wash like this.

Don't get me wrong I am gratefull of the housing but I do pay my rent and I don't feel I should have to put up with this, especially as my bathroom was immaculate, almost brand new and had no issues.

Now I have one I cannot use, what on earth do I do?

They have not finished the work yet, coming back to do the tiling tomorrow. Do I let them carry on or refuse any more work until this is sorted?

I told the plumber it was too narrow, before trying it and was told thats what everyone has, no choice.

OP posts:
TakeMyEyesButNotTheGoat · 14/10/2012 21:00

They can't tell you 'tough' if you mention your sons needs. I would stick with that as your argument.

Don't give in if they try to fob you off.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 14/10/2012 21:04

My experience of LA contractors is dreadful! Growing up we lived on a post war Airey house, which had exceeded its life expectancy, and was given a new skin and refurbished. The contractors were total cowboys. Cut corners, fucked up and ended up causing carnage! The bath you recieved was probably the cheapest that they could source!
We were allowed to do pretty much what we wanted to the house though. I only have experience of my LA, but I know of elderly neighbours who have protested about upgrades and refits and have gone without through choice. My next door neighbour insisted on keeping his Parkray, and not being upgraded to oil. The council simply saved the upgrade until he had passed away and the house was empty.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 14/10/2012 21:05

Our local councillor was always very useful for dealing with issues with the LA btw.

Felicitywascold · 14/10/2012 21:06

Yanbu

smornintime · 14/10/2012 21:10

We moved into a new build a couple of years ago and our bath is like this, it's rubbish.
Hope you get sorted!

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 14/10/2012 21:13

Also, as the build went on, we could have non standard fittings, as long as we paid the difference. Perhaps this is an option?

Original poster
2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 14/10/2012 21:15

takemyeyes Could they not say get a smaller bath seat?

From googling they do sell smaller one's but they are really expensive, paid over £300 for the one we have now and would proberly be cheaper for me to replace the bath.

I don't have the money to do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 14/10/2012 21:17

No it's not saggy

They have taken my glass shower screen down and told me they will have to fit a shower rail and curtain but have left me the glass screen saying I can do what I want once they leave.

So got to pay for that to be re-fitted as can't have shower curtains as my son is afraid.

They even said I couldn't keep my pink toilet seat and had to have the white one, thought fine I will change it when they go but then they took my pink one with them.

OP posts:
maddening · 14/10/2012 21:23

Methe - even if the op was a size 18 she should be able to sit in the bath. It is obviously of unreasonable proportions

ledkr · 14/10/2012 21:26

There is a slightly nasty tone to some of the posts and I'm not sure why and op don't feel that you ha e to justify living in a council house it's nobody else's business and certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

TakeMyEyesButNotTheGoat · 14/10/2012 21:31

Surely as your son grows a smaller seat is unsuitable.

You have a very reasonable and justified argument for a bigger bath.

It is also true that those who kick off and scream the loudest get what they want. If all else fails, use this tact.

allthefun · 14/10/2012 21:45

Complain. Complain to everyone. They have just wasted a whole lot of other peoples rent money and somebody will have a role in to doing something about it. There are resident committees,local MP's and Councillors.
It is not the same as private rented.

princelypurpleparrot · 14/10/2012 22:30

Absolutely shout your complaint from the rooftops! Email them all the paperwork re: permission to refit your bathroom, and demand that they return your belongings that you paid for. and ask them how you are supposed to bathe your child now?

Has your DS ever seen an OT? They would be able to advise you on suitable equipment, and how to get funding for it. As an OT myself, I am pretty confident that you would struggle to get a bath lift to fit into a bath that is 15" wide.

And it is normal to make alterations to a social housing property to make it a suitable home for you, as that is what it is, your home.

Good luck OP, let us know how it goes Smile

PedanticPanda · 14/10/2012 22:36

We were all told here that when the new kitchens and bathrooms were installed that if we had tiling, etc we wanted to keep then they'd make sure it wasn't removed, or if it had to be then it would be carefully taken down and put back up again. Nothing was put in that we didn't want and every house had a meeting with their housing officer and people in charge of the renovations to discuss what we want, how we want it positioned, what we didn't want. Speak to your council again.

ddubsgirl · 14/10/2012 22:36

we had to pick new bathroom or kitchen,you have to fail on both to get 1 or the other,we have gone for the kitchen as that needs doing badly,a year ago we were told it would be done within 6 months,then it was in the last 3 months of this year now its not being done till sometime next year,bloody fuming,the cupboards are falling apart 1 of the drawer fronts came off in my hand 2 weeks ago,a friend of mine has had her bathroom done and they left it in a right state,didnt do half of the stuff they said they would and shes had to fight to get it done.

CelticPromise · 14/10/2012 23:08

YANBU. What a ridiculous waste of money. Definitely kick up a stink!

GhostofMammaTJ · 14/10/2012 23:37

I beleive you. I had a new bath last year. Lovely tiling that I have had done myself and the HA came and inspected it and said that the whole bathroom will be ripped out and redone. All very nice, but it is my kitchen, which they have no plans to replace that is the most dire and in need of TLC!!

sarahtigh · 15/10/2012 00:13

taking your personal possesions away is theft

you had the right to old shower and toilet sit to use as ornament sell on ebayer hoard in a corner, you can not take anyone's property without permission, you can as a landlord stipulate that it must be returned to original condition before vacating property

NameGotLostInCyberspace · 15/10/2012 00:14

Our bathroom was done last xmas. We really wanted mixer taps in sink but was told it wasn't an option.
We asked if we could buy the mixer taps ourselves and they fit them. Fine they said but, you will need to also buy sink as ours are standard 2 holes and pedastal to match as they all have their own. we did and it was all fine.
YANBU- I am actually disgusted on your behalf. Start shouting!

Original poster
2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 15/10/2012 00:47

Thanks everyone, will update how i get on.

Princely _ It's a bath seat to raise him out of the water and secure him in place (for safety issues rather than physical issues)nota lift to get him in and out.

Would link but am on phone so can't.

We hope it won't always be needed but worried the council will argue it's not needed / can be replaced

Fingers crossed

OP posts:
theodorakis · 15/10/2012 06:02

Be careful, I have one of those baths and it's like a tidal wave every time you move. My bathroom is an inch in water when I have a proper deep bath.

ibizagirl · 15/10/2012 06:24

2mums. We had this work done here about 4 years ago. New kitchen and new bathroom/toilet (separate toilet and bathroom). It was a total nightmare with bodgers. I didn't think it was compulsory to have it done as one lady further along said no and even now she hasn't had it done. Kitchen floor had to be done 3 times. First time was laid with tiles and they "ballooned" and all split so got re-done. It happened again so they laid cushion floor with is much better and nicer. Plastering on walls was rubbish and bumpy. Worktops around sink went funny because they were not sealed! Toilet flimsy compared to last one. Bath very small i agree with you. The nice man did put up more tiles than he said they should so that was good. But he did break the shower riser rail. Was replaced but wasn't a riser rail. Nuisance. Two weeks of misery it was and it was in a November so was freezing with doors opening and shutting all the time. Had a lot of snagging to be done afterwards but nothing done about horrid plastering. Not ungrateful or anything but they were supposed to be tradesmen. A lot of it was shoddy. They lost the contract soon after because of a lot of complaints.

pumpkinsweetie · 15/10/2012 06:32

Complain op, bloody hell if a bath seat won't fit then it's definetly too small.
Can't believe they chucked all your new stuff away even though they had been consulted !

A bath that can't fit a size 14 woman in it, is not a bath, it's a glorified sink!

Original poster
2MumsAreBetterThan1 · 15/10/2012 09:14

Have spoke to them this morning, they said I should have told them before!

How was I supposed to know they were going to fit such a small bath?
There was no need to mention my son uses a bath seat as it fits all standard baths.

I need to go through the OT now, she will come and check the bath and assess my son's needs and then sort it out.

They said to let the work go ahead in the meantime as this may take a while to resolve. Had a bit of a paddy and said that's no good, can't not bath my son for weeks on end, and whilst I can bath him without the seat it's not safe as he will thrash around the whole time.

Waiting for a call back.

OP posts:
TakeMyEyesButNotTheGoat · 15/10/2012 09:33

Don't just give in to what they have said.

Your absolutely right, they can't expect your son not to have a bath for weeks.

Contact your local MP. That will put the shits up them.

Have you mentioned the shower etc?

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