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Original poster

Council building work, nails and car tyres

47 replies

Justyou · 15/02/2016 23:43

A few of the council houses in our street are getting external work done, mine included. Over the weeks there have been lots of screws and nails left in my garden and in the street. Tonight my car was making a crazy noise when pulling away and I had a flat tyre- on inspection it had a screw punctured through it and I found several nails and screws lying along the kerb/roadside. Do I have a leg to stand on in demanding the company the council is using to replace my tyre? I am disabled and rely on my car a lot and really can't afford a tyre at the minute.

OP posts:
Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 15/02/2016 23:45

Yes - and pt holes etc

They are contracted to leave the site safe and tidy - take photos - road garden etc as proof plus a copy of the bill -

JeremyZackHunt · 15/02/2016 23:47

It's difficult to prove that it was their fault but it wouldn't hurt to send an email with pictures.
You may be able to get the tyre repaired rather than replacing it. A reputable tyre place will tell you (not KwikFit!) and it will be quick and cheap. Can you get the spare on to take it to be looked at?

Original poster
Justyou · 15/02/2016 23:51

We haven't got a spare tyre just a repair kit but I can't even understand how to do it and need it done for hospital appointments later this week. Our whole garden is a mess with the work and the bits of rubbish from the job left everywhere. I ve only had the car a couple of months and really gutted. I know it will be hard to prove but really they're littered everywhere. I ve e mailed and send some photos but am not hopeful

OP posts:
Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 15/02/2016 23:53

You can get mobile tyre companies to come to you - or AA etc

It is reasonable to assume they are responsible

JeremyZackHunt · 16/02/2016 00:01

Yes get a mobile company to come out. Google Black Circles for tyre fitting.We've used them a few times and they've been competitive for new tyres.

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 00:03

Thank you, I ll see if they reply in the morning and if not maybe contact the council themselves. I really need it sorted Asap but can't afford a new tyre but feel they should replace the tyre rather than just a make do repair. I probably will have to get a mobile one but guess that's even more expensive. It was dark when happened so I ll go out tomorrow to find more 'evidence' that might help

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 00:07

The usual respect shown to tenants and their property i see Hmm

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 00:20

Yes pretty much Helena lots of work recently and it's been pretty much a walk into the house whenever you like as far as the workmen were concerned - it was awful. I can't sleep as I know they are going to try to fob me off tomorrow and I ll feel so useless to do anything.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 00:28

Tenants have no rights over who they allow into their homes. There are also major problems with gas servicing due to it being put out to the cheapest possible tender.

Friend of mine had to have work done by her HA and came home to orange brick dust all over her cream bedroom suite.

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 00:31

It was awful they didn't knock just walked in anytime they liked 8-5 for over 2 weeks in what was meant to be a 2 day job. It was a nightmare especially in a morning with getting kids ready.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 00:32

Dont let them fob you off Its obvious its their lack of respect and responsibility for their own actions has caused the problems.

HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 00:35

Thats disgusting Complete lack of manners and respect. But it seems its the way that tenants are viewed as some sort of sub species that dont deserve any courtesy.

MsJamieFraser · 16/02/2016 07:45

I think your being rude helena, and making a sweeping generalisation.

Our local HA and council dont behave in the manner you speak off, in fact they bend over backwards to help their tenants. The house is not the tenants property either, however it is their home.

OP take pictures of the mess and damage to your car, write to their legal dept, and get receipts for the work done on your car, a claim can take a good one to 2 months to be sorted, so sadly it wont be done in time for your hospital appointments.

Also you should have a CLO who is overseeing all the work, but in a formal complaint about the mess being left, as this is a health and safety issue

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 08:51

Just been out in the light and easily found another dozen screws and nails in garden on path outside and along edge of the road. Also a kind of blade thing. Think maybe call them as could be waiting ages for e mail reply

OP posts:
InternationalHouseofToast · 16/02/2016 08:58

You have to have a spare tyre in your car boot - your car will fail its MOT if you don't. Whatever the issue with how your tyre got damaged on this occasion, you need to get a spare tyre sorted so you can change the tyre and drive to a garage if you're in the liddle of nowhere.

MsJamieFraser · 16/02/2016 09:03

I call them about the health and safety, the claim you need to do by writing and photographic evidence, they wont touch it other wise.

You don't also have to have a spare type in your car, as long as you have some form of repair kit, not all cars have a place to store a spare tyre.

LIZS · 16/02/2016 09:04

International , that only applies if the car came with a spare. Many newer cars only have spacesavers or repair kits now.

FlipperSkipper · 16/02/2016 09:04

You don't have to have a spare tyre, a repair kit (usually some sort of foam) is considered sufficient and a car will pass it's mot with one of these.

SirChenjin · 16/02/2016 09:10

You have to have a spare tyre in your car boot - your car will fail its MOT if you don't

Not true - they don't check you have a spare as part of your MOT. However, if you have one that is fixed to your car then it must comply with standards. In fact, you don't actually have to carry a spare at all. AA guidance

I'd echo what others have said - Jamie's post is spot on.

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 10:48

They denied doing it and said all the screws were already there - even when I pointed some out lying ON TOP of their scaffolding Angry

OP posts:
SirChenjin · 16/02/2016 11:03

I'd document that too - and present that to the Council when you make a formal complaint and issue your invoice.

Lying scumbags - how dare they lie like that Angry

Original poster
Justyou · 16/02/2016 13:19

They were supposed to be coming straight back to show us the type of screws they use as that's the only ones they ll take responsibility for despite the dozens of other kinds everywhere that they had to remove to do their work but haven't even bothered calling back as yet Sad

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 14:08

Just spoke to my neighbour opposite who has had two floods in the last three months.

  1. when 2 new rads were put in the workmen flooded two rooms That was back in November.

The Sunday before last their combi boiler burst and they had another flood...3 rooms ruined...carpets ruined. Buckled floors and the ceiling of the flat below is also damaged.

Boiler was replaced but they arent coming out to assess the damage until 22nd April.

This is not the first..... a diff company called Liberty Gas flooded out another tenant after taking FOUR MONTHS to put a boiler and six rads in and when she complained they said the water must have been there beforehand.

its NOT a sweeping generalisation Jamie The attitude towards social housing tenants stinks. There are many many cases which are internet searchable.......in fact Carillion Amey got exposed only yesterday for the appalling way they have treated the forces families.

HelenaDove · 16/02/2016 14:11

Copied and pasted from youtube.

harry smith 1 year ago
what a horrible company omg, this guy is talking shit lol
I know loads of engineers who have left Robert heath, after just a month because they get abuse from customers which is due to the company taking the piss with what they call social housing scum