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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed at council waiting times

416 replies

Dancingfairy · 02/08/2017 19:54

My council has a 3 week wait for all repairs. The light in my bathroom has gone, it's not a standar bulb so someone from the council has to come to sort it. I have to wait 3 weeks! So I cannot use my bathroom after a certain time, I usually bath my children before bed but won't be able to for 3 weeks. Aibu to think it should be sorted sooner?

OP posts:
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6
ChasingHighs · 02/08/2017 23:03

Ah you mean council tenants should not be allowed to have a moan on MN?

Only private tenants and homeowners allowed to post?

ClopySow · 02/08/2017 23:04

I do, however, think those who are in council places yet moan about it are

What the fuck? We're not allowed to complain about the problems in our rented flat because we're in social housing? Why?

CheshireChat · 02/08/2017 23:05

Wooo, coddiwomple I think you are psychic as that's exactly what happened Wink.

DancingFairy You wanted a reaction and you got it, hope it makes your heart light up so you don't need the bathroom one fixing.

Oswin · 02/08/2017 23:06

Yes two years. Also a leak from upstairs into my bathroom has ruined my bathroom and it's crumbling. They keep missing appointments and when I said I can get my brother to do it was told I would be in breach of my tenancy.

Have to move back in in a few weeks whether it's sorted or not and it's making me feel sick already.
They are planning to knock it down in the next two years thank God.

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 23:06

Have to say the comments by @what are out of order. As I said, some people who rent social housing do actually work! (Not that there is anything bad about people who rent socially and don't...'

@oswin, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. And sorry you have suffered mental health issues. Just 2 years with no hot water seemed extreme to me.

ChasingHighs · 02/08/2017 23:06

She didn't want a reaction, she wanted a moan on MN. Then the twats descended on her thread.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 02/08/2017 23:06

WhatToDo you haven't been a member of Kensington Council in the past have you?

Nope; never lived or worked in London Grin

What the fuck? We're not allowed to complain about the problems in our rented flat because we're in social housing? Why?

You're getting council houses at a reduced rate. The least you can do is pay for someone to change your lightbulb. Big repairs, of course you shouldn't have to wait so long and they should be paid for.

But not a fucking lightbulb.

Oswin · 02/08/2017 23:08

Again not every one is renting at a redused fucking rate.

Huffletuff · 02/08/2017 23:10

My council house costs more to rent than most of the similarly sized properties in my area.

Oswin · 02/08/2017 23:11

Beebee the last contractors were awful the stories I've heard about them were shocking. Removing peoples doors and then not fixing it back on till next day. Leaving people without electricity and gas for week's.

I heard they are in trouble with the council.
My moms gonna contact our mp for me soon. I can't do it. I can't cope with any of it. The people talk to you like shit on their shoe it's horrible.

Oswin · 02/08/2017 23:14

What to do what if the council don't allow you to do these jobs yourself. There's loads of shit I would fix myself but am not allowed. If they make these silly rules then they should fix them ASAP.

Once again I pay the same as private renters in my area. Well actually more.
I could get a private flat like mine for around 75 less.

CheshireChat · 02/08/2017 23:14

I seem to keep posting this, but my HA rent was actually higher than the market rate and the maintenance team was incredibly unorganised, though not as bad as Oswin's. I now live in a nice private let.

And people in council houses and HA are allowed to have a moan, but you know, perspective. No water/ heating- unacceptable. No light in one room for 3 weeks, annoying, but tolerable.

chirpyburbycheapsheep · 02/08/2017 23:14

Oswin that is really terrible, I am really sorry you are having to live with that. I would really advise you contact your MP as often they really do have some weight, even more so in the current climate re housing maintenance Flowers

elevenclips · 02/08/2017 23:14

It's annoying for the light not to be working. However, most services provided by the council have a wait. Not just housing stuff.

3 weeks for a non emergency problem is manageable although not ideal. I don't think you should give it any more thought.

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 23:14

Yeah some social housing properties are not much cheaper where I live than private let. (3 bed social housing around £450 a month, private £550.) However, the tenancies are much more secure, and the repairs are usually better.

I am not attacking social housing tenants - no way - but let's not kid ourselves that people in social housing are no more fortunate than people in private let housing. Come on, be serious.

CosmicPineapple · 02/08/2017 23:14

Christ What some people just dont have the money to pay for private electricians.

A few years ago £20 was all i had to feed us that week so it would not have been spent on anything else.

Ypu really are showing how ignorant you are. GF c9mes to mind Hmm

CheshireChat · 02/08/2017 23:16

Cross posted with Oswin.

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 23:16

Posted too soon!

Wanted to add that there are, however, a few social housing landlords (it's usually councils,) that are a bit shit with repairs, like OSWIN - sorry for your troubles!) But as I said, at least the tenancy is secure, and the rent cheaper - usually.

ClopySow · 02/08/2017 23:17

You're getting council houses at a reduced rate

No. We're paying affordable rent.

It's not reduced, private rent is too high and is basically subsidising private landlords and lenders.

And we can't change the lightbulbs because council says no.

ClopySow · 02/08/2017 23:19

Fortunate yes beebee
Entitled no.

CheshireChat · 02/08/2017 23:19

Beebee7 I'm afraid the repairs are often atrocious because there isn't anyone thinking 'fuck, if I don't fix that leaky roof it'll devalue my property'.

My private landlord is perfectly nice, though the letting agents can be a pain.

chirpyburbycheapsheep · 02/08/2017 23:23

I'm afraid the repairs are often atrocious because there isn't anyone thinking 'fuck, if I don't fix that leaky roof it'll devalue my property'

This is very true. Private landlords can be pretty bad too though (or maybe it's just mine!). What I see happening in London seems like sheer greed. No one needs the amount of rent that is being charged for properties that are not even that great. Today I saw a listing for basically a room (a tiny one at that, tiny kitchenette in one corner, single bed in the other) for over £1000 a month. Despicable really.

Henrythehoover · 02/08/2017 23:24

You can get those specialist bulbs for £3 in Wilkinson it never crossed my mind to call the council when mine blew

Beebee7 · 02/08/2017 23:25

Fair enough Clopy Smile

demirose87 · 02/08/2017 23:26

If it's the type of lightbulb I think it is, I'm in social housing and was told we're not allowed to touch those.

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