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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Housing association ~ refusing to come and fix because....

32 replies

Feminine · 18/12/2012 07:44

I told them I really needed my hot water/heating put back on as the children have a sickness virus? They didn't want their workers catching it Hmm

It didn't pay to be honest did it?

Back story of sorts: when we moved in to this house we have inherited masses of problems that need doing, black mould , wet front door ...tank needing to be replaced. Damp EVERYWHERE etc...There is more but you get the picture.

The asset manager came to take a look 2 wks ago, and made all manner of excuses to avoid getting this house up to scratch.

So, on Saturday I was putting something on the mantel piece and felt drops of water on my hand, turns out part of the tank has lost a piece? making it drip through the ceiling. Anyway... it involved the emergency guy to turn off the hot water and heating.

When I phoned yesterday , I mentioned I'd really need it done ASAP, my youngest has just turned 4 ....DH manual job... They said they would call me back. They did, and then came up with that crazy reason for not coming out!

They would provide us with a couple of heaters, and return when the children are better apparently.

This is only the tip of the ice-burg with this house, it goes on and on. Each time I send a detailed mail to the 'contact' team , I'm sent a curt 2 line response in purple font! Just not taking anything seriously. When the guys come out to 'fix' things they give me a Wink face tell me I didn't hear it from them but "what about E/health?

OP posts:
TheMysteryCat · 18/12/2012 07:47

That's ridiculous. They have a duty of care. Have you suggested that the children could be in their room away from the repair staff?

BoysAreLikeDogs · 18/12/2012 07:48

The noro is v v bad this yr

They are protecting staff health, I bet they have protocols to be adhered to

I hope your household recovers quickly and repairs done swiftly

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 18/12/2012 07:49

It sounds like they are being crap with regards to sorting the house out, and obviously they really shouldn't be leaving you to live like that.

But on the other hand, as employers, they do have a responsibility towards their employees, who probably really don't want to be put at risk of catching your sickness bug.

AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 18/12/2012 07:53

They are correct, they need to protect their workers, in the same way you protect your colleagues by not going into your work place sick/sending ill children to school.

They have a duty of care, to their workers and you, however they are not, not going to help you, they will when its clear, they have provided you with heaters and you will have hot water through cooker etc...

My dh works for the local association, his rights to be kept safe, is also a priority... Measures have been taken to help you while your children are on the mend.

AltinkumATEalltheTurkey · 18/12/2012 07:56

Oh and it's not the workers fault your house is not upntonscratch that will be from tr heads of dept, and their budget allocation that month.

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:03

I don't have any problem with the guys that come here, I have got to know them very well. They have been sent here on numerous 'patch -up' jobs. That is their opinion also. I don't think it is anything to do with them They are as much under it as I am.

The children are contained on the sofa, they need (this time) to work on the tank -that is in our bedroom.

Is it alright to have a soaking wet front door, covered in mould? That is quite alright as far as the asset manager is concerned.
They also don't see any problem with a bathroom so cold that even with a radiator on you can see your breath. The children are not constantly vomiting or anything, that was done by saturday....they are just unwell and need a bath!

OP posts:
OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 18/12/2012 08:09

Do you mean it's the workers opinion that they won't be sent out because of a sickness bug in the home?

I'm confused and not sure what you mean.

MousyMouse · 18/12/2012 08:15

they should at least provide you with temporary heating, like oil filled radiators and/or fan heaters (and also reimburse you for the elec cost, take meter reading before you switch them on).
get on the phone and keep hassling them, it's not acceptable to go without heating in winter

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:16

No, its come from the call centre.

The guy that delivered the heaters just laughed when we told him that yesterday!

Sorry, I'm probably not typing this whole thing very well. I've become a nervous wreck over this house. I'm very concerned for the children (living with black mould almost in every room) Its not caused by condensation, but by an underlying problem. The front door area is wet under foot...water leaks in through the living room wall/ floor. My new wardrobe is totally ruined as the black mold spread round the back...I hadn't even noticed. :(

I had a massive panic attack this morning. We were housed here as we had previously lost our home, and had nowhere. I just need to be able to make the home warm, carpet ...curtains. Everything I put near a wall ends up destroyed.

OP posts:
samandi · 18/12/2012 08:18

The children are contained on the sofa

LMAO! If it's a norovirus workers could catch it from anywhere in the house, door handles, other surfaces they've touched, breathing in particles in the air etc. It's very difficult to contain, unless you've had your kids in a sealed compartment of some kind. People remain infectious for some time after the worst symptoms.

Is it alright to have a soaking wet front door, covered in mould

No, that's not ok. The whole flat sounds awful and I certainly wouldn't want my kids (or me) to live there.

samandi · 18/12/2012 08:18

Can't you move?

DoodleHolly · 18/12/2012 08:18

Go to your local cab pronto.

Your house is in disrepair from the sounds of it and it's up to them I sort it out.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 18/12/2012 08:21

Your concern is understandable, and if you are paying rent it is not acceptable for you to be left like this. Obviously.

But that still doesn't make it ok for other people to be put at risk of norovirus. They have families or maybe their own risk factors too.

So sorry you are having such a crap time.

FriedSprout · 18/12/2012 08:24

I would suggest that you sit down and list ALL the problems with the house that you have had/are still having to deal with
Email this list to the manager and also to your local MP
Let them know that your GP will be contacting them as regards how damp is/may effect their health

Insist that you are put through to manager whenever you contact them.

Hope you get it sorted

thinkfast · 18/12/2012 08:26

Ask your doctor if he or she would be willing to write a letter for you about the health risks of living with damp and black mould

Write a detailed letter of complaint to the housing association send copies to your mp and local councillors and ask for their help in getting it fixed

Good luck!!!

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:28

I do understand about not wanting to get the guys sick, I'd have probably told them anyway. I'd have contained the kids even further too...

Anyway, I guess this thing on its own would not have prompted me to post. I suspect, its the catalogue of various shit! Grin

Thanks outraged and all of you :)

Oh, and we can't move-we have only been here since half term. Actually they have sent the guys on patch up jobs about 10 times since then...and its not even close to being finished. I have no idea how the previous tenant survived?

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 18/12/2012 08:29

If the workmen that come to do that patch up jobs have suggested E/health, have you tried acting on it and contacting them? The housing association have clearly failed to supply you with a safe environment, which is what they are paid to do and have a legal obligation to do....

itspeanuts · 18/12/2012 08:30

This is not acceptable at all. I had a similar problem with my HA. I made a formal complaint and got my local councillor involved too. Needless to say the work was then promptly carried out!

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:31

Thanks for the latest posts. You know, I'm so scared to start thinking about the mould -I've been sticking my head in the sand. I will take on board and act on the advice given today.

OP posts:
samandi · 18/12/2012 08:33

I have no idea how the previous tenant survived?

Do you know that they did survive?

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:33

I'm actually a bit shocked really. I honestly thought that HA were not allowed to treat tenants this way. We had previously owned/privately rented in our past.

OP posts:
Groovee · 18/12/2012 08:34

I'd not be happy if dh was sent out to you. The last thing I want is a sickness bug which I've managed to avoid from working with children. Plus dh is a ridiculous over reactor when ill.

Get the dettol out and get cleaning the door handles etc as it can travel anywhere.

AmberLeaf · 18/12/2012 08:37

They are taking the P

From your description the house doesnt sound like its at a lettable standard.

If I were you Id contact your local MP/councillor.

Your concern is understandable, and if you are paying rent it is not acceptable for you to be left like this. Obviously

So if she were getting housing benefit it would be acceptable?!

Im sure you didn't mean that did you?

Original poster
Feminine · 18/12/2012 08:37

right groovee

Obviously I get that. I've been cleaning with dettol wipes everywhere

I don't want to dwell on that particular part of my post now, it is so much more than that actually.

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 18/12/2012 08:39

This really isn't about risk of infection to HA workers, its about the HA not doing what they should be doing.

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