That we should be a priority?

[NaNaNaBatman]

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?

Call again, and if you get no result decamp with your kids and their noisiest toys to the housing association's nice warm offices, to wait while they get your heating fixed. Most Housing Associations have tenant board members and also like to keep in with the local council, so a call to your local councillor may also be worthwhile. YANBU.
At the very least they should have given you an appointment and some temporary heaters.

As PP said, I'm quite sure their office is nice and warm. Pack a picnic, take some noisy toys and have a sit in. Do you know all the verses to 'Wheels on the bus?'

It sounds as if they are in breach of Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant act.

You might want to contact the local authority housing standards team or the environmental health team. They can inspect the property and contact the landlord (HA) about the repair.

Contact the residential environmental health team for your council. I have done this to get my boiler fixed when landlord left us with no heating or not water. They take the case and contact the landlord, in this case HA. They can carry out works and bill the HA or slap an enforcement notice on them. In my case the landlord (social housing) moved pretty quickly after one phone call.

You should have information in your tenant handbook on how long they have to fix a repair.

Keep ringing. They are definitely in the wrong here.

My heating went over Bank holiday weekend. I had to wait 3 days and the HA officer was most apologetic about it. It went another day and they came and fixed it the same day.

There is no way you should be waiting a whole month!

Local councillor would be useful. Get on to them asap. They will be able to get the HA moving.

mrsjanedoe
If no one will fix your boiler for you, that's presumably because you own it and your house, which is more than many people can afford. If someone rents rather than owns their house then their landlord (or HA) is responsible for repairs. It's not about being entitled, it's part of what's paid for with the rent and is more than offset by the inconvenience and instability of not owning your own home.

Damsel the attitudes towards social housing tenants is very worrying. Both in and outside the sector Before it went subscription only i used to read threads on the Inside Housing website. The comments from some ppl who work in the sector (not all are like this obvs) were disgusting.

i would imagine most people living in HA properties are priority types - old, young , vulnerable etc

that said, ring them today, tomorrow and every day until they fix it

Damselindestress

To be fair, mortgages are a lot cheaper than rents.

People I know (physically know, not read about in the paper) in HA properties are not vulnerable at all, they made a lifestyle choice.

Social housing rates are so low, so much below the market rate that it sounds greedy to expect first class treatment, and not to be prepared to pay a little bit out of your pocket! That's what I mean about being entitled.

If my private landlord had not fixed my boiler/ washing machine or whatever (I did too rent for a few years), I would not have waited more than 2 or 3 days to get something done.

Don't be ridiculous, do you honestly think the majority of renters would stay in rented if they could actually afford to buy somewhere. Small matter of actually getting a mortgage, and scraping together enough for a deposit.

Must be a lovely view up there on your high horse, jane

My council came out to fix our shower on New Year's Day because we don't have a bath.

They also come out within 2 hours at this time of year if the heating breaks. I know this because I had to call them about 4 times because it kept breaking. Once they replaced the controller they didn't have to come any more.

Be firm and polite. It's their duty to do the right thing.

Yep, just say no hot water or heating, once they're out they'll have to sort it!

People who rent from HA's are 'entitled' for expecting their heating to work, and they choose to pay rent even though it's more expensive than a mortgage?

Ok then! Makes perfect sense.

Are you being deliberately goady or just detached from reality? You don't get your own workmen in to a rented property. You don't own the boiler.

mortgages are cheaper than rents

Yes but the barriers to entry are much higher. You need a deposit, solid work record and a clean bill of health with regards to past finances. All of these, particularly the first is a barrier to some.

When interest rates rise, as they will, then it may not be so attractive to be on the hook for a mortgage, but for now, yes renting is often more expensive.

jane you appear so balanced and well informed, and oh so firmly assertive, I'm sure you know all of this.

I hope this is sorted soon OP

jane you got a washing machine with your private tenancy. Now if i was like you i could say that was very entitled of you and why didnt you buy your own like HA tenants have to do but im not like you so i wont.

jane
Did you have to decorate the whole of the property including flooring when you got your private rental - if not, why not? The majority of people who move into social housing do.

In London Social Housing isn't a lifestyle choice as there are income limits that affect your eligibility
Westminster won't put you on their list if your total household income exceeds the higher rate tax threshold or have assets over £59,349, Camden has a financial assets of £32k limit and separately won't put you on the register unless you can show an increased housing need e.g. threat of homelessness, care leaver etc.

But you knew that already as you are clearly so expert in this area

OP
HA can be awful at maintaining their properties and I know people who have had to resort to residential environmental health to get things done. Badger them repeatedly on the grounds you have young children.

jane a lot of HAs subcontract out work like the work the OP needs done and the contracts and tenders for gas safety checks. And its the cheapest possible tender.

Experiences like the OP is enduring and some of the facts on this thread are not featured in the right wing press because they despise poorer people.

And its not talked about in the left wing press because they wont have anything said against social housing because of the damage that may cause even if it could help tenants.

The contracts for things like gas safety checks are worth millions. Its so far from charity. You really have no idea.

Thank you for your replies, I've called them again today and moaned for 10 minutes and they are coming tomorrow!

I don't have any spare money at the minute, absolutely none so that's why I needed the HA to sort it out rather than fixing it myself. Thought that I better clear that up!

I'm not usually persistent as I hate the thought of becoming a nuisance (lack of confidence on my part) but this has proved that it pays off in the end.

It is in my tenancy agreement that the HA are responsible for all repairs that are not for cosmetic reasons IYSWIM.

I am so glad that you are finally getting someone out quickly!!! My friend had to wait a week with no hot water or heating due to gas leak, that was bad enough tbh.

I cannot believe some of the ignorance on this thread heaven forbid that the landlord (HA in this instance) is obligated to use their income to maintain properties to a habitable standard...

I have had experience of this type of thing when trying to help neighbours in HA properties.

If your HA is being crap and messing your around, the best thing to do is contact one of your Local Councillors. Speaking to your Local Councillor about the issue tends to get things resolved fairly quickly. There's often professional relationships between your local Council and HAs in the area, and it is quite an easy problem for your Councillor to solve (he just has to email or pick up the phone).

Thats good news OP....finally. If he hasnt shown up by 12-1pm give them a ring and chase it up. Some of them are buggers for no shows and dont bother to ring tenants to let them know either.

And be prepared for the fact that he may say he doesnt have the right part(s)