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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:
Thread gallery
6
x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:25

Not in lots of parts of the UK is there a massive waiting list for council house s I live in the North West of England and got my house fairly quickly with no priority whatsoever we don't all live in the South ffs that said it's not an emergency repair I have waited weeks for small repairs.

Charlottelouisa · 02/08/2017 20:25

How is a council property free????

SaucyJack · 02/08/2017 20:25

Have your council specifically said that you're not allowed to change the bathroom bulbs yourself? Ours has no such rules to my knowledge.

We have those d bulb fittings in our bathroom light £6 for a new bulb, and about 3 minutes work to change it. Job done.

It's just a bit baffling to people that you'd seemingly rather shit in the dark than sort it out yourself.

MycatsaPirate · 02/08/2017 20:26

Everyone has told you to leave the door open and another light on.

Everyone has suggested using a camping lamp or a torch.

But no, you want to moan about the lack of light and how it's affecting you bathing your child.

Just get on with stuff. Life is not easy, it never is. I have coped with no heating/lighting/hot water for three days in the depths of winter before with a small child and a baby. I have coped with having no water for nearly 6 days in our last house due to a burst pipe. Shit happens, you just need to make the best of the situation you are in.

Torch/door open/lamp. It's not bloody difficult is it?

x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:28

Oh and before the usual comments start council houses are not free either and neither ate they loads less then market rent in some parts of the UK.

Original poster
Dancingfairy · 02/08/2017 20:28

I like to bath them in the evenings it's part of our routine. Anyway I had a man from the council retile some tiles that fell off in my bathroom (lucky me the council are maintaining there property like they are suppose to do!) and he mentioned calling the councils electrician, I'm sure he wouldn't have said that if I didn't have to. Anyway no I am not "lucky" I waited on the list like everyone else and I live in a tower block trust me I'm far from lucky.

OP posts:
BeepBeepMOVE · 02/08/2017 20:28

Just buy a press light from poundland!

YABU!

It's still light out, leave door open. Use a torch.

BarbaraOcumbungles · 02/08/2017 20:29

Light bulbs are a consumable item. You should be changing it yourself.

Original poster
Dancingfairy · 02/08/2017 20:30

The hall way light being on doesn't make a blind bit of difference.

OP posts:
GoldTippedFeather · 02/08/2017 20:30

Showered for a whole term at university by torch light due a disagreement about whose turn it was to buy a bloody bulb students!

Whole families are having to live in Bed and Breakfasts at the moment, get over yourself. Also your aggressive replies to posters is not really helping people empathise with you.

coddiwomple · 02/08/2017 20:30

well, if you can call to council to fix broken light bulbs, I am a little bit jealous! Do they also replace the cooker if it breaks down? What about fridge freezer?

x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:31

Oh piss off CoffeeBreak council tenants pay rent so it's not s free service .

pasanda · 02/08/2017 20:31

Bath your baby in the daytime then. Seeing as she is 'not in a routine' she really won't mind. Honest

Confused
SisterhoodisPowerful · 02/08/2017 20:31

I've got the same fitting in my kitchen and bathroom. I can't even begin to understand the level of stupid in councils who've chosen to install these in tenants flats. I alternate between stupid and corrupt because there is no way this was ever going to be a sensible policy.

That said, I have a lot of candles and have jimmied the kitchen fitting off with a bread knife. I never got the bathroom one.

And, yes, there is always a subsection of MN who behave like hyenas and don't bother to read threads. 12 years I've been on here. It's always the same. Just ignore them as you would a tantrumming toddler.

InvisibleCities · 02/08/2017 20:32

Could you post a picture of your light fitting OP? We might be able to help you sort it out tomorrow. Mine isn't a standard bulb either but I was able to sort it out myself, I replaced the kitchen strip bulb too. It must have some kind of bulb! Is it the flat circular type of light?

x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:33

Why would they pay for those coddi when they don't actually provide them in the first place I,m guessing you have never been in a council house in your life?

Custardo · 02/08/2017 20:33

some people can't afford it - not even £20. i'm not saying the op can't but i am saying that cries of "go out and fix it yourself" are not helpful.

besides, the council as a landlord has resonsibilities.

and no-one should count themelves lucky and be grateful because they have a council house. remember succssive governmens have caused a dire situation.

she is also not wasting council resources. they are a landlord, they budget thus and rent is given in exchange

op, here is some advice from shelter england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/complain_about_council_or_housing_association_repairs

FanwankTheAbsurd · 02/08/2017 20:34

Bullshit, no-one could be this entitled, surely?

And no, OP, I'm not 'jealous' 😂

BarbaraOcumbungles · 02/08/2017 20:34

If it's that you're struggling to get the unit open there's likely to be a slot round the edge of the casing somewhere that you can put a coin in and twist which would open it up.

No cpincils should be changing bulbs for people who aren't vulnerable.

joannegrady90 · 02/08/2017 20:35

Why post if you're going to be an arsehole to everyone?

hks · 02/08/2017 20:36

can you not buy a torch or battery operated camping lamp will you get it sorted

SpartacusSaiman · 02/08/2017 20:37

I like to bath them in the evenings it's part of our routine

You can still do that. You bathroom doesnt have a window. You have the same amount of lighy coming in, i the morning as the evening....none.

You said it was the bulb, them its not the bulb. Now you dont have a clue what it is.

coddiwomple · 02/08/2017 20:40

x2boys
Why are they not providing them? It's scandalous! I am absolutely outraged! Do they also expect people to live without tvs and goats! Grin

On another note, instead of candles, you can use battery operated lights, much safer when you have little ones (even if a 3 months old baby is not there yet)

on amazon

or ebay

HelenaDove · 02/08/2017 20:44

I see coddiwomple thinks council and HA tenants get free white goods.

Not the worst ive seen on here though. The worst was someone posting that all HA tenants get their tv licence paid for them as well.

Its in our TENANCY AGREEMENT (in our case) that we are NOT to touch the kitchen + bathroom light fittings.

Now if OP tries to do something herself involving the electrics and something goes wrong i GURANTEE she will recieve some of the disgusting type of victim blaming that the tenant whose fridge may have started the fire at Grenfell got.

OP ive got the round lights that you press Just leave it on the side or the bathroom cabinet if you have one while using the bathroom.

strugglingstepdad · 02/08/2017 20:45

Jesus you really are entitled!!

Change the bloody bulb yourself, just cos it's non standard doesn't mean you can't change it!!

No wonder rents are high I social housing when there are people like you about!!!!!