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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
Kailoer · 02/08/2017 21:31

Well I know it's not free but it's heavily, heavily subsidized and stable - and normal tenants in private rental often struggle to get critical problems fixed! Whilst paying lots more than social renters in the same blocks. Such entitlement.

Original poster
Dancingfairy · 02/08/2017 21:32

I'm glad someone else mentioned fire hazards when it comes to candles as a baby died around my area in a house fire when I was little. I've never been able to use anything like candles because of that. So no, no candles!

OP posts:
x2boys · 02/08/2017 21:33

No it isn't Kailoet in many parts of the UK council rent is comparable to private rent why can't people grasp this?

coddiwomple · 02/08/2017 21:34

don't use candles, read the posts full of different advice and ideas, not involving candles. Its not that hard Hmm

ClopySow · 02/08/2017 21:34

Well I know it's not free but it's heavily, heavily subsidized and stable - and normal tenants in private rental often struggle to get critical problems fixed! Whilst paying lots more than social renters in the same blocks. Such entitlement

The people at fault there aren't the social tennants.

ClopySow · 02/08/2017 21:35

normal tenants in private rental

What's not normal about social tennants?

x2boys · 02/08/2017 21:38

We all live in London or the South East apparently Clopy well we don't but people can't grasp this?

doobree · 02/08/2017 21:38

Wow some really nasty people on this thread.

It is perfectly common to have unusual or particular light fittings that require an electrician to work on them and tenancy agreements frequently specify this. Its one thing if you are a homeowner but some light fittings I have seen were so dodgy I wouldn't dare touch them. Many rented properties I have seen don't comply with building regulations re electricity and zoning in bathrooms etc and I'd want nothing to do with touching any of it.

It is also pretty common to have candles prohibited under tenancy agreements.

YANBU dancing. If it is the council's resonsibility then they need to fix it asap - and change the light fitting to something easier and cheaper to maintain while they are at it.

Starlight2345 · 02/08/2017 21:39

You can get battery tea lights, lots of light if you go to poundland but also at 3 months old ..Not sure what time you are bathing..It went dark here about 9 ..however you could use kitchen sink at that age.

NicolasFlamel · 02/08/2017 21:40

Oh god get a grip. Use a torch or something. Pop and get some cheap glow sticks, they can have a fun disco bath. Try to be a bit resourceful, you're a parent. Alternatively dont bath them for a couple of days. You'll all survive it. Bloody hell..

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 02/08/2017 21:40

Instead of saying people are jealous, why don't you say what sort of lightbulb it is and then people can actually help you? Or did you want a bunfight?

Huffletuff · 02/08/2017 21:41

YABU. Think yourself lucky you have council accommodation when there are lots who are waiting.

Alltheprettyseahorses · 02/08/2017 21:42

Floggingmolly Social housing rent is not subsidised. That is a very stupid thing to say.

CosmicPineapple · 02/08/2017 21:43

Bath her in the sink in the kitchen. At 3 months she will have no idea its the sink.
Or use a few torches as many posters have suggested.

Or moan on mn about it and refuse to look at alternatives. Your choice OP.

Terfing · 02/08/2017 21:44

What an odd thread Confused

Floggingmolly · 02/08/2017 21:44

Council housing is not charged at market rent.

Floggingmolly · 02/08/2017 21:45

That was to prettyseahorse

doobree · 02/08/2017 21:45

We are waiting and have had all sort sof diffuclties getting housed and have medical issues but I still say that if the council have to change it because of its design then they should, and ASAP. It is not the OP's fault.

Why should she have to buy throw away plastic ligths that she will no longer need after the light is fixed? (and before anyone says anything to that; if she need the extra ligths she would ahve them already)

x2boys · 02/08/2017 21:45

Not every where Huffle yeah we all know people are waiting for years in the South East but that's not the same everywhereHmm

PinkFlufff · 02/08/2017 21:46

Not read past page 3 but in case this isn't a wind up; washing up bowl on living room floor? Buy a baby bath & use that in a room with light, (they're pretty cheap or try eBay/Freecycle)? I think Poundland sell those circular lights that you stick somewhere and you press them to turn on/off, get a couple of those? Three weeks will fly by.

JuicyStrawberry · 02/08/2017 21:46

Well, if it was your own property you'd have to do it yourself

Council's property, council's responsibility. Your property, your responsibility. That's how it works. No point in homeowners being bitter because they were lucky enough to be in a position to buy a house and now have to pay to get things repaired! The council are responsible for their properties, so for example if the boiler breaks they have to come and fix it. The tenant doesn't and shouldn't have have to pay for the repair. If you're a homeowner then you are responsible for fixing your own boiler.

If you want to get free repairs in the house you live in then sell up and apply for a council house.

x2boys · 02/08/2017 21:47

Oh but it is flogging please compare council housing in different parts of the country other than the South East Hmm

lostinaseaofbubbles · 02/08/2017 21:48

I have several rechargeable lamps (one for each child and a spare) because for some reason this area is prone to power cuts. I know that doesn't help you now but it might be something to consider for another time or might be something you could invest in. Mine weren't too costly, £7 or something.

Is your only child 3m old? Or do you have older ones? My preschoolers love glow stick bathtimes (lights off, two glowsticks under the water) - lights up the bathroom just enough for a bath and they think it's great fun. Poundland sells packs of glow sticks most of the time.

As for the actual wait to repair. It sucks, it really does. Must admit I'm slightly jealous though. I miss being a tenant and having someone I can ask to repair stuff. We went without a working shower for 18 months because we couldn't afford to get it fixed. I wished I'd still been a tenant often during those 18 months (and every time my boiler does something horrible!). Hopefully they can squeeze you in a bit earlier than you think.

rayman15 · 02/08/2017 21:51

If the council had no obligation to change the bulb in the bathroom and is the tenants responsibility don't you think they would have told her that when she phoned up to report it? If they don't have to come out they won't and they'll tell you, but you're all to busy judging

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