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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
chirpyburbycheapsheep · 02/08/2017 20:45

I remember when the light in my bathroom broke (it was the illegal light fitting itself that broke not the bulb) and it took three years to get my private landlady to do something about it. And I am classed as disabled. I just used candles and pretended I was a Victorian (I find fantasy helps with the harsh realities of life).

I don't know how this helps you but it has brought back memories of the 1800s. Anyway, I think looking at your tenancy agreement was a good suggestion. I appreciate it must be hard with a young baby though. Hope you get it sorted

x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:45

I don't know coddi shocking isn't it!

Biscusting · 02/08/2017 20:46

Easy solution, don't be a fanny and sort it out with using an alternative light source.

Disclaimer: this solution applies to council houses as well as rented, owned properties, caravans, tents and space shuttles.

Your welcome.

Can also be second to call bullshit on this thread?

HemanOrSheRa · 02/08/2017 20:47

I know the type of fitting OP and I know if you live in a tower block you probably won't have a window in your bathroom. You can open the sealed unit with a coin. Remove the D bulb and buy one.

Most councils, well ours won't and they are pretty good, won't replace bulbs for anyone. I work with older people who NO WAY could replace such a bulb. We can't so we call out a handy person service.

Humperdonk · 02/08/2017 20:48

I work for a housing association, we would not send someone out to change a bulb/tube/starter motor (unless you were disabled/elderly/otherwise unable to do it yourself and had nobody else who could do it for you).
Our light fittings in bathrooms are generally sealed units with weird curly tube things inside. You may need to unscrew the cover and you can buy the bulbs in a hardware store or online.

If you've tried a new bulb and it's still not working then I kind of agree it's too long a wait. Our wait time for a standard repair would be up to 3 weeks, we would try and get to you sooner (and might even attend in an emergency if you were vulnerable etc.) but it sounds like they are busy (maybe changing too many light bulbs?)

If you've tried a new bulb call them back and see if they can pull it forward?

Mistigri · 02/08/2017 20:49

Post Grenfell, pretty shocked to see people recommending candles in a tower block...

OP, if It's a sealed unit that can only be repaired by the council, then waiting 3 weeks is unreasonable. Otherwise, just take out the bulb, take it to a DIY store and buy an identical one.

chirpyburbycheapsheep · 02/08/2017 20:49

Disclaimer: this solution applies to council houses as well as rented, owned properties, caravans, tents and space shuttles.

Grin
MumIsRunningAMarathon · 02/08/2017 20:49

i agree!!!

entitled

ExplodedCloud · 02/08/2017 20:49

Look realistically there are many occasions on which social housing tenants do get a very raw deal on maintenance, being treated as an inconvenience to contractors fixing boilers etc. And are told they should be grateful for whatever they get.
Your OP complained about the wait and you've dripfed the not the bulb, no window and a newborn in.
What exactly is the fault?

HelenaDove · 02/08/2017 20:50

I wish ppl on here would make their bloody minds up. One minute they are saying social rent is subsidized next its "no wonder they are so high"

If you are going to bash tenants at least be consistent with it.

3 weeks isnt a bad wait for this type of repair though.

MumIsRunningAMarathon · 02/08/2017 20:50

misti candles were nothing to do with Grenfell.....

Bunnyfuller · 02/08/2017 20:52

It's the sense of entitlement in your post that is annoying people, op. Those of us that don't live in local authority (and bloody loads that do) just crack on and try to things themselves. When you have to pay for repairs yourself you start becoming quite the DIYer!

As there's no natural light in there your baby won't know what time of day it is, so just move bath forward, or use other lights.

You are VERY lucky, tower block or not. There are many in B and B accom, or with nothing whatsoever. People aren't jealous, some just get irritated at where tax money is spent - I would rather mine went to public services such as the NHS or police etc rather than paying for lightbulb repairs.

LonelyGir1 · 02/08/2017 20:52
Shock
x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:54

Yeah I agree Helena.

x2boys · 02/08/2017 20:56

I pay my rent Bunny and again we don't all live in London in my town it's fairly easy to get social housing Hmm

HelenaDove · 02/08/2017 20:56

MumIs No candles were nothing to do with Grenfell. OP would soon get the blame if something went wrong though.

And despite candles having nothing to do with Grenfell i showed my housing officer the aforementioned lights when she came round to do a fire safety visit two weeks ago.

She was pleased that we dont burn candles.

Dullboringusername · 02/08/2017 20:56

Dear Lord, what is this race to the bottom? Sorry OP it seems you should be grateful you don't live in 'ole in t'road eating mud and getting up before you go to bed.

You are not unreasonable to be annoyed that it takes three weeks to carry out a minor repair, but I'm afraid that Council services are being squeezed.

SweetheartTreacleTart · 02/08/2017 20:57

OP why do you think people are jealous? Serious question? Is it because you live in a council property? or because you wouldn't be paying (except in service charge) for your repair? I am honestly intrigued...

To answer your question I would say you are being unreasonable as bathing a baby at night is a choice and it is not an emergency situation. If you had no hot water or a broken toilet flush I would expect them to come out ASAP.

I am also intrigued by what type of light fitting/bulb it is that no one else can fix apart from the council...

Trethew · 02/08/2017 20:59

Is this a windup? Is OP really serious? Is she expecting sympathy because she has to wait 3 weeks to get someone else to change a lightbulb? Cannot understand this attitude. Sort it yourself OP, get a press-lamp, leave a door open, OR wait patiently for three weeks. But don't complain when hard pressed councils with inadequate staff are prioritising more serious problems for people who cannot help themselves

Floggingmolly · 02/08/2017 21:00

But she is unreasonable not to have carried out this extremely minor repair herself, Dull. It's a lightbulb.

HelenaDove · 02/08/2017 21:02

I have quite a few of those press lamps. Had to because of bloody power cuts.

talonofthehawk · 02/08/2017 21:02

Tragic for you. People are on the streets.

MarklahMarklah · 02/08/2017 21:03

I used to have an elderly relative that lived in a block of flats maintained by the council. They were too infirm to do jobs in their flat, and I don't live anywhere near them, so when light bulbs went, or similar, it was a case of contacting the council and getting them in to fix things.

Barbie222 · 02/08/2017 21:04

I started reading this thread because I didn't get round to changing the bulb in the bathroom today and now it's a bit dark. I reckon I've got about 2 and a half weeks to get it sorted now, then Grin

ChickenBhuna · 02/08/2017 21:06

This happened to me , I bought a battery operated lamp from poundland. It was fine for a few weeks.

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