To be annoyed at council waiting times

[Dancingfairy]

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?

Where did you get jealous from people simply said fix it yourself or stop acting like a spoiled brat.

Theres lots of helpful people on this thread too - suggesting ways to get you through the 3 week wait. I think people were pointing out that in the scheme of things, this is a bloody tiny thing to get annoyed about. Surely you can see that those that don't live in council housing either have to deal with it themselves, or suck it up? And I presume you appreciate that council tenants with more serious problems take priority over a lightbulb blowing in the summer months?

Jealous?

Well saying I'm lucky to even get a council house, yeh jealousy, don't act like that wasn't said.

If it's just a lightbulb you are lucky they told you 3 weeks. I'm a LL. I'd tell you to take care of it yourself or pay someone to do the work, giving a number for one of my workmen if you didn't know someone.

Is it a fluorescent tube? Does it have a fan? I'm trying to understand why you would be calling to get a bulb fixed. Post pictures here if you want help with how to fix it yourself.

As your first words in your op are my council it's probably a lot to do with why you live in a council house

I live in a council house as well, no jealousy here. You're the one who said it's a council property in your Op.

Don't get your knickers in a twist!

It's daylight outside - how do you need a light to bathe your kids?

And you said it's not a standard bulb, which implies it is in fact a bulb. Which is why people keep saying bulb.

Are you going to say what type it is?

Haha I'm far from jealous, simply pointing out that many people do not get housed, or are placed in alternative accommodation, instead of council. 3 weeks in the summer is nothing, surely you have windows and a hallway? Moaning about having to wait, entitled much?

You are lucky to have a council house, there is a huge list for them everywhere, that's not jealous that's fact. I also think people are saying they would kill to have a problem in the house and just ring the council and they come fix it no cost to the tenant so not jealous just saying you are just ungrateful. I hate this attitude that everyone is entitled. No one is ENTITLED to fucking anything.

My bathroom doesn't have a window so it is dark now, my baby is still awake sorry she's only 3 months and not in a routine. Surprised I have to explain that. I can't force a baby to sleep.

What sort of light fitting is it? Standard council fittings are a twist off fitting with the type of bulb posted on pictures by previous posters. Those ones are very easily purchased.

No but you can bath her before its dark or in the kitchen sink if she's only that old.

If you don't like the 'free' service they're providing then pay for a better one. It's quite simple really.

Ok, so it would have helped to explain that first. Get a lamp near to the door so the room is lit, or use the kitchen sink.

Annoying as it is, not having a light in your bathroom is not an emergency.

Our residents are expected to change sealed unit lights, they're only put in bathrooms because they're moisture resistant, not dangerous, and the case usually pushes open or you flip a clip, few are screwed shut. You can get those bulbs/lamps in tons of shops and they're only push fit.

The problem people are picking up on os complaining about the council taking three weeks to fix something you can fix yourself if it bothers you that much. The council know that, that's why it's not a priority.

Find out what your council's policy is. For example here's Ashford's

www.ashford.gov.uk/what-is-an-emergency-repair

"Partial loss of electrical power or light" should be fixed within three days by them. A light that you cannot replace would qualify.

If it is supposed to be fixed quicker then YANBU, and call them again and say that their website / your tenancy agreement / etc says it should be fixed quicker.

That said, if you can remove the bulb, then take it to somewhere like B&Q and compare with what's on sale. I know some houses have used weird bulb connections that they only make energy saving bulbs for, to force the resident to use such bulbs. (And not caring that those weird bulbs are hard to get hold of.)

YANBU really OP, if it's a non-standard light and you aren't allowed to fix it yourself.

I think people on this thread don't realise that council houses aren't actually free. They are all paid for in the form of rent, which is not necessarily lower than private tenancies in the same area - but they do rightly come with an expectation of better service due to the council (or HA's for that matter) benefit of economy of scale for repairs.

Leave the door open and have the light in the hall open.

Buy a battery operated camping lantern.

Burn tea lights.

Put your phone on torch setting and in a glass.

Are you really fucking telling me you can't work out a way to get light into the bathroom????

My bathroom light went the day I got out of hospital with DC2. £6 for a sealed light in Homebase £20 to the electrician job done. Inbetween left landing light on and used a torch (my bathroom has no windows) it's not difficult, or an emergency. Sometimes you have to help yourself

If it doesn't have a window, why does it matter about bathing them at a certain time?

And why do you mention its not a standard bulb in the OP, if its not the bulb?