Handy man from HA has lied and said i abused him

[Iwillmakeittoheaven]

Im so confused and upset right now.
I dont understand why this man has said this about me, i have seen him twice and both times been plesant and had a laugh with him.

I have been going through a battle with my HA abojt changing my single pane windows which leak when it rains.

This man has come here twice and commented how nice my flat is and how much i pay in rent ect just general chat

I have a feeling he is jealous, the thing is my flat looked like shit b4 i fixed it up. I dont know if he thinks they just gave it to me the way it looks now and he thought i dont pay rent, he is polish so maybe doesnt understand that HA do pay rent its just low.

Anyway he has said to the HA that last time he was at my property i laughed at him and said company were shit and i wanted all my windows replaced.

They have now refused to send another operative out cause of this plus he said they dont need changing but they do. I just think he is saying this because he is jealous or something? His friend has backed him and said i said this.

Nobody ever comes to my house its just me so nobody could if said this.
Now i feel like i dont want to let any ppl of this company in my flat again

What can i do about this?
I cant believe he has done this. This can go against me on my tenancy i have been with the HA since 2009 neber had issues with any handy men

Typed on my phone.

What have the HA actually said to you?Are they saying they won't send anyone else round because they feel you were abusive to the contractor or that they won't replace the windows because they don't feel they need replacing?

This is as clear as mud.

What is the man saying was said to him that he took offence at?

He said i was laughing at him and saying the company are shit, that is all they told me and he said i was abusive.
This is all i know.
Because of this they have refused to send anyone else round for the windows.

What a dickhead.

Might be worth mentioning in your letter that you've worked very hard to make the flat your home (include pictures to show this) and say that you would never risk your home by being rude or abusive to Housing Authority staff, or anyone else.

Also ask them if they could send someone else (not the two contractors that were sent last time), so they can see your demeanour and behaviour towards their staff.

It's not nice to have to prove you're a decent person when you have done nothing wrong.

"His friend has backed him and said i said this. "

Was his friend in the house at the same time as you and the handyman then? If so, why?

I think it must be the contractor who is refusing to go back to your home - I just wonder why he'd refuse paid work based on what he thought you said. It's hardly unusual to have rude clients. There must be something else going on here...get in touch with your ha and ask them what's going on.

Like a PP i think this is an excuse to get out of replacing the windows.

His friend has backed him? Do you only have the HAs word for this Have you spoken to the contractors since?

Did they tell you all of this in a phone call? I would be asking them for the information in writing if so. Then you can decide what your response is going to be.

What exactly is it, that you have supposed to have said? I still don't understand what you have been accused of?

SilverBirch i dont think the OP is supposed to understand what shes been accused of either.

In your opinion OP the windows need replacing, however as they have been repaired they may not need replacing, just because you want double glazed windows does not mean your going to get them!

Keep a diary of the damage the windows are causing, and also photographic evidence, every time you state the windows leak!

You need to make a formal complaint and escalate the complaint, to your housing manager, manager about the tradesman manager and take first steps from there.

You mentioned that he is Polish. How good is his English ? Has he misunderstood what you said ?

I wouldn't accuse them of slander. I'm not convinced this would qualify anyway, in a legal sense, but regardless, you want to look reasonable and immediately accusing them of slander makes you look quite fiery. It could make them more likely to believe him.

I would just write to refute any claim that you were rude or abusive, and remind the HA that the windows still require repairing and therefore you're requesting a different contractor to attend within 14 days, accompanied by someone from the HA if they feel that is appropriate. I shouldn't think they'll want to pay someone to monitor you but it shows willing and suggests you have nothing to hide.

Maybe it's a misunderstanding on his part, or he feels the job would take too long to be profitable orsomething. It's certainly poor behaviour!

Anchor has a good point . Offer to be monitored. You could always record any meetings or visits from them too.

OR he didn't say it at all and they figure you won't ask him and they're using him as an excuse not to replace your windows.

I'd write to them basically saying:

"I was so very upset to read that Mr. X felt offended by our prior conversations. I was quite surprised by your stating so as to my recollection all conversation with Mr. X were jovial in nature and I felt that he and I parted company, on each occasion, on good terms.

If you feel it is appropriate, I would appreciate it if you could arrange a meeting at your office with Mr. X, myself and a representative from the HA to discuss the misunderstanding. However, if Mr. X is not comfortable with that, I would appreciate it if you could at least pass on my apologies to him.

As you no doubt are aware that despite this understanding, my need for the windows to be replaced to fix the leaking is still quite urgent. In order to prevent any future misunderstandings, the HA is more than welcome to send a representative with the new contractor to assess the windows. I definitely wouldn't want the misunderstanding with Mr. X to prevent necessary repairs from being carried out.

Please advise ASAP when the new contractor can be sent out.

Warm regards,
OP"

Did HA send you a letter or phone you?

I like some of sykadelik's letter, especially the bit about your recollection of the conversations and the urgency of the repairs.

But I would leave out the apology. You have nothing to apologise for, he's the one that should be apologising. I wouldn't refer to this being a "misunderstanding" either as it implies that a misunderstanding of what was said was possible, when from what you say he has simply lied.

Personally I would also leave out the "warm" regards since they are saying they agree you were abusive.

Great post sykadelic.

I think there is often an issue when people employ someone who's first language is not English.
A lot is lost in translation, we are afraid as being seen as being racist if we actively seek to employ someone is less than fluent in our native language. I do think the handyman had an ulterior motive ( perhaps his cronies are looking for accommodation?)
I recently lasted a week in a job I could do standing on my head after my Polish supervisor picked holes in every bit of my work and passed this on to her manager. I don't think it was a coincidence that about 95 % of the workforce were Polish , think wheels within wheels)
That aside I would contact the housing officer as advised by sky.