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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That we should be a priority?

85 replies

NaNaNaBatman · 25/11/2015 17:16

I am a single parent of 2DC (2 and 4) we live in a housing association house and they are in charge of all repairs etc.

Our heating has been broken for a month now, I've called them twice about it and they say as we have hot water we are not considered a priority and I should hear something within the next 15 days to book an appointment for them to come and look at it.

It is freezing and we are all currently wearing a jumper and a dressing gown because it is so cold.

AIBU to think that we have been left long enough? Should I keep calling them or is this common?

OP posts:
dontcallmethatyoucunt · 25/11/2015 18:31

just £100. OK, thanks for that insightful bit of advice.

HelenaDove · 25/11/2015 18:32

jane would you be happy to pay a garage for your car to be mended and then be expected to be told to fit the parts yourself.

a. the OP may not have the money.
b. you have to go through the complaints precedure first.
c. if that doesnt work you have to go through the Housing Ombudsman.

Its a shit system and someone could easily freeze to death in the time it takes to do this but unless its done the tenant will not be reimbursed and this obviously needs repeating but she will need to pay the heating engineer in the first place She cant give him a piece of paper with IOU written on it. She may not actually HAVE the money.

They should be adhering to the tenancy agreement and if the tenant is expected to sort this like an owner occupier would have to then the HA should fucking well give her other owner occupier rights too not just the bits that suit their needs and their wallet!!!!

notenidskitchen · 25/11/2015 18:34

Go to the office.

Be one of THOSE people. Kick off. Being polite in a situation like this gets you nowhere.

Viviennemary · 25/11/2015 18:36

I am sure by law that they are bound to provide heating. (Heard it on Judge Rinder so it must be right.) Agree with contacting your MP and you should be entitled to some rent rebate as well.

juneau · 25/11/2015 18:36

I think you've been remarkably restrained so far. A whole month with no heating and two DC of 2 and 4? You need to start making a real nuisance of yourself - or yes - tell them the HW has gone off now too. I'm amazed that someone with two such small DC isn't a priority.

Jux · 25/11/2015 18:37

Mrsjane, what has the op said that makes you think she can afford even the call out fee for a plumber? I can't afford it, but luckily I know a plumber and he'll do whatever we need for mates rates. Do stop assuming that people are as fortunate as you.

notenidskitchen · 25/11/2015 18:44

Make sure you take your kids with you if possible snotty noses too if possible

ToffeeForEveryone · 25/11/2015 18:50

You can be polite and still a pain in their neck. Start calling every day. You don't need to kick off but you need to make it clear that the situation is not acceptable with young kids and you expect it to be sorted as a priority.

Agree with others that you should say that the hot water is failing intermittently if that will bump you up the list.

Gwenhwyfar · 25/11/2015 19:09

It's the other way around - heating is a priority over hot water. If your hot water boiler wasn't working you could presumably still boil a kettle to get water to wash with. Heating is more important.

HelenaDove · 25/11/2015 19:20

Gwen there is a young woman upthread who had to do that for four years. Ive seen other experiences where elderly tenants have had to carry kettles of hot water about. Its not on.

HelenaDove · 25/11/2015 19:22

And having to carry kettles of hot water about with toddlers running around is an accident waiting to happen.

irony not lost on me that ive just had to point this out on a parenting forum and im the childfree one

mrsjanedoe · 25/11/2015 20:07

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

HelenaDove · 25/11/2015 20:12

It is not charity to expect something fixed that you pay for as part of your rent. AND social housing rents very very often also include a service charge.
FUCKING HELL.

If you know a plumber who will accept ironing instead of cash i assume you will be PMing his details to the OP

HelenaDove · 25/11/2015 20:15

there really needs to be an everyday tenant blaming website

Foslady · 25/11/2015 20:27

Ring up again. Don't get angry with the girl on the phone - it's not her fault, just be clear and precise, explain the full situation and that you want it escalating. Being rude to the person on the other end of the phone is getting angry with the wrong person, if you can explain how bad if is to them and how you have been let down they'll go above and beyond - I used to in these circumstances and so did the rest of the team

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 25/11/2015 20:27

I do love it when people roll out the 'I work hard, I'm a fucking genius argument'. Such a clincher.

Foslady · 25/11/2015 20:28

Make sure you say about getting it escalated though - explain the time line and how you have been let down

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 25/11/2015 20:28

....if you're a dick

BaldricksTurnip · 25/11/2015 20:31

CHARITY??!! Renting is the only sector where you pay for a service at huge cost i.e. your RENT and people still accuse you of being a scrounging bastard. Where does it say that the OP isn't paying her rent herself?

specialsubject · 25/11/2015 20:39

a private landlord would (deservedly) have their arse kicked for this, especially with the new laws. Pity the asleep-at-the-wheel government have forgotten HAs. Shocking.

ohtheholidays · 25/11/2015 20:43

NaNaBatman(love your username) Smile Ring them back first thing tomorrow and tell them your going to your local MP!

Were in a council property and I had to do that in the past and it worked,I was moved from a temporary flat(that was falling apart)into a house within a week,so they can really help.

If they still don't listen ring your local citizens advice and tell them you need an emergency appointment they should fit you in the same day as no heating with such young children this time of year for such along time could cause health problems or a serious mould problem within your home.

Here's a link for the CAB www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

ohtheholidays · 25/11/2015 20:47

NANABatman I've just found this on the Gov uk Housing association homes and they state themselves about the home needs to be warm.

www.gov.uk/housing-association-homes/standard-of-your-home

MoriartyIsMyAngel · 25/11/2015 20:59

This happened to me when DS was about five, no heat for over a fortnight in the middle of a bad cold snap. Ten years ago, nothing new.

I do think HA's deal with annoying call every hour cases much more quickly though. Don't sit quietly and wait. Did they at least give you a couple of blow heaters?

(Don't call a plumber yourself, they're under no obligation to pay for works you arranged without consent. Unless you can afford it, don't. Be a frequent phoner instead.)

RJnomore1 · 25/11/2015 20:59

Housing associations taking care of their property isn't charity it's basic business sense Hmm

Potatoface2 · 25/11/2015 21:04

in the 60s and 70s we never had heating....not many people did back then.....it was a luxury....mum used to burn old furniture on an open fire....we probably all got lung conditions from burnt foam from old settees.....anyway you need to be hounding them every day....keep on at them...tell them you have children ....it may be something simple....my heating wouldnt work after the summer....apparently part of the system was stuck with a build up of fluff from over the summer....a good suck out with the hoover sorted it