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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Council refurb...am I expecting too much ?aibu?

224 replies

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 12:46

I leave in a two bed house which I rent from my local council.
Lived here 10 years and love it.
I decorated 6 months ago then received a letter saying I was getting a new kitchen plus rewire done.
So a month ago works started and it was going to take 10 working days.
So I pack everything away and box it up and protective flooring gets lay.
The first day nobody arrived ...the second day nobody arrived (after having a day by day itinerary ) nobody told me why or informed me they weren't coming.
They left me with holes in the walls with wires on show ,the kitchen hasn't been painted (painters were meant to be here two weeks ago)
The kitchen cupboard shelves have all collapsed as the brackets have snapped (I was told they were a dodgy batch )
Two weeks I have rang the site manager to be told "work will be finished tomorrow " and nobody turns up
Nobody now replies to my messages and the site manager doesn't answer the phone to
Me.
So like I say my kitchen isn't painted or floor put down,holes everywhere (even tho the plasterer has been three weeks ago -he missed these holes )
And now my shelves in the cupboards have collapsed.
Aibu to think this is disgrace?
The protective floor is covered in pieces of wall from the wire and also cement /plaster and god knows what else.
I can't get at any of my stuff as it's all boxed up
I honestly want to cry
If they would tell me when they are coming back to finish the work I wouldn't mind as much also no decorating vouchers that were promised

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
makingmiracles · 23/09/2022 13:04

It’s a disgrace. Unfortunately it happens frequently with Ha/council properties, it’s like we have to shut up and put up because we are in social housing so we don’t matter, even though alot of people are working etc and paying rent every month albeit slightly cheaper than market rent.

my friend had numerous problems, they had to move her out for best part of a yr, still wasn’t sorted on her return, works now been ongoing for 2 yrs.

how did she get results? She went to the top, the ceo of the HA and a local former mp, that seemed to work and work started happening. It has however taken her hundreds of hours of phone calls and hundreds of emails to get to this point.

i hope you get it sorted, find out how to make a complaint and start the process, I know with my friend it was like a 3 teir complaint system.

PinkButtercups · 23/09/2022 13:04

missbipolar · 23/09/2022 13:02

Why did you need to take 2 weeks off work? Surely they didn't need you there?

Maybe she didn't want them in the house on their own? Who's to say they're trust worthy. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to work that out.

Faithin · 23/09/2022 13:05

Hymnulop · 23/09/2022 12:49

Its free though at least, wish I could get a new kitchen even with the problems you're having. On a serious note, try calling the site manager off withheld number or a friends phone to see if he or she answers that way. Are you having to take time off work to be home and wait in for them? If so that's really not on if they then don't turn up.

It's not free because council tenants pay rent. She doesn't own the house she rents it so of course the landlord (so the council in this case) pays for the kitchen in the house that they own.

Dinoboymama · 23/09/2022 13:05

missbipolar · 23/09/2022 13:02

Why did you need to take 2 weeks off work? Surely they didn't need you there?

I personally wouldn't leave workmen in my house for a full shift 20 minutes here or there for a school run maybe but not 8 hours a day.

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 13:05

I took 2 weeks off to pack my things and basically empty my house as if I was moving ,I had holidays to use so I naively thought I would have time to decorate -not realising the chaos

OP posts:
RIPWalter · 23/09/2022 13:06

I own my own home, we needed the drains, for our house and 2 next door neighbours, repaired by relining (Off grid for sewerage so not a standard set up).

First drain survey company were cowboys. Then it took months to find another survey company, who were fantastic (contracted to the local authority), turned up when they said, clean, tidy, polite and professional. They recommened a drain repair company, also contracted by local authority and MOD etc, to reline the drains.

First dates planned, no show, next dates they turned up a day late, this was back in March.

They didn't do a final survey (as planned) so we didn't pay, fortunate really as one section wasn't done properly, collapased and blocked the drains causing it to all back up and flood NDN shed, we bodged a temporary solution which meant daily inspections by DH and NDN. We had 3 weeks when we couldn't flush toilet roll.

Eventually they turned up again, didn't communicate with anyone, DH and NDN WFH so no reason not do, still didn't fix it correctly, still didn't do a final survey etc etc

Many phone calls, emails, late invoice notices and 5 months later theyhad finally sorted it out properly completed a final survey, sent that survey to us and resent the invoice and we paid it today.

So my point is OP, I don't think your problems have anything to do with be a Council tenant, and are unfortunatly the experience of many resisdence, be they tenants or owner occupiers. How we turn around the shody attitudes and standards of a good number of tradesmen and companies I don't know.

RicStar · 23/09/2022 13:07

It does look rubbish OP and I would be stressed by it all too, sorry don't have any practical advice but to keep calling whoever you can / whoever sent the original letter / head of builders etc very annoying to have to pester to have basic tasks completed to a normal level.

Dinoboymama · 23/09/2022 13:07

You could contact the council and if they give you no contact back and start a complaint it normally doesn't go far but can get the work done sooner.

We just got our flooring fixed after the shower went through the floor due a leak and now our toilet is leaking. Love the new shower but now we are waiting on a plumber coming out to assess that a local councillor has chased them up for us.

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 13:09

I was also told the reason why these electric outlets /sockets aren't straight is because of my wall
Is this correct before I complain ?

Council refurb...am I expecting too much ?aibu?
OP posts:
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 23/09/2022 13:12

Hymnulop · 23/09/2022 12:49

Its free though at least, wish I could get a new kitchen even with the problems you're having. On a serious note, try calling the site manager off withheld number or a friends phone to see if he or she answers that way. Are you having to take time off work to be home and wait in for them? If so that's really not on if they then don't turn up.

Well have you seen the new kitchens they put in? I very much doubt you'd be excited about one, especially the way some of them are thrown together. That's before you take into account that it always takes longer than they say and everyone I know who has had ones had issues like op with holes left all over the place

Regardless of who pays for it or even if the op pays rent or gets hb do you really think its acceptable for people to have to live like that? Wtf is wrong with you?

Dinoboymama · 23/09/2022 13:12

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 13:09

I was also told the reason why these electric outlets /sockets aren't straight is because of my wall
Is this correct before I complain ?

No they know how to make things straight they shouldn't be doing half a jobs worth definitely bring that up.

Threadkillacilla · 23/09/2022 13:13

missbipolar · 23/09/2022 13:02

Why did you need to take 2 weeks off work? Surely they didn't need you there?

It usually isn't just a couple of workmen coming at appointed times it's a big multi trade team around the estate who are in and out of several properties at any time. When the street I live on was done two separate ladies in their 80's were robbed by an opportunistic thief and all they got was a bunch of flowers and an apology. One died shortly after and the other moved in a care home.
you can't just leave the keys they have no respect.

sorry for you OP it sounds a shit show.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/09/2022 13:15

I was also told the reason why these electric outlets /sockets aren't straight is because of my wall

Absolute bollocks, my love.

You and the council are being ripped off by a bunch of charlatans.

Why wait until Monday? Start calling your landlord/council NOW before they knock off for the weekend.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/09/2022 13:16

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/09/2022 12:56

Forget calling the 'site manager'. Call your local councillor, your council office and your housing manager. And your MP.

She needs to follow proper complaints procedure. The MP will expect that she has done that and not had a resolution.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/09/2022 13:16

Even I can fit straight sockets!

Shinyandnew1 · 23/09/2022 13:17

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 12:59

This has been left like this now for over 2 weeks with nobody coming back to fix it.
I'm really thinking of going to my landlord Monday and maybe it's worth the counsellor like someone suggested

Why don’t you get on the phone to them now??

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/09/2022 13:17

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz But she hasn't been informed about the 'proper complaints procedure'. And she needs to contact the council before MP as they are her landlords.

Try and help instead of being so condescending.

TwinkleChristmas · 23/09/2022 13:18

Wish I could get a free kitchen for just two weeks of work.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/09/2022 13:19

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/09/2022 13:17

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz But she hasn't been informed about the 'proper complaints procedure'. And she needs to contact the council before MP as they are her landlords.

Try and help instead of being so condescending.

I'm not being condescending. You've suggested Councillor and MP along with others. There is an order to do these things. MP is after exhausting the councils complaints procedure.

And people don't need informing of how to do that- it will be set out on their website or she can write/email her Housing Officer with a formal complaint.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 23/09/2022 13:20

TwinkleChristmas · 23/09/2022 13:18

Wish I could get a free kitchen for just two weeks of work.

Odfod. It is not a free kitchen.

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 13:22

@TwinkleChristmas if your after a kitchen that collapses after two weeks,sockets that belong in different postcodes and the shit show I'm living in ....good for you
Also it's not "free"

OP posts:
ihatethefuckingmuffin · 23/09/2022 13:27

Long story short
Flrget phoning, go round to the site. Take your pictures. Complain in person. And whilst you are there start calling environmental health and head of council. Email them all and name and shame on twitter.

had to do this several years ago when a two week job turned into 6 weeks with no end site and they left building stuff, pipes, tools, their lunch rubbish and more just dumped around my place. I had a toddler and I had enough that day when I walked in and saw the state they left my home in.

fucking disrespectful cowboys who also probably thought it was all free like the pp.

bringitbackks · 23/09/2022 13:28

@ihatethefuckingmuffin they've left a saw,pic a mix wrappers and a mcdonalds packet all in mine,it's ridiculous

OP posts:
WindsweptNotInteresting · 23/09/2022 13:29

TwinkleChristmas · 23/09/2022 13:18

Wish I could get a free kitchen for just two weeks of work.

Do you really think it is free? If the OP rented off a private landlord would you have more sympathy, or do you reserve your judgement for council tenants?

Renters have the right to decent accommodation, regardless of who they rent from.

Yes, if you own your own home you would have to pay for it, but you also get to own your own home and are not at the mercy of landlords.

Threadkillacilla · 23/09/2022 13:29

TwinkleChristmas · 23/09/2022 13:18

Wish I could get a free kitchen for just two weeks of work.

I hope you get your wish and get exactly what you are envious of.