To ask to be temporarily rehoused whilst new kitchen installed?

[SENwoes]

I will preface this by saying I KNOW I’m very lucky to have a HA house, and I KNOW I’m very lucky to be getting a brand new kitchen for free.

So as above, I have work commencing on 22nd January to rip out the old kitchen and replace it. I don’t have a choice in this, according to the documents, I am unable to say no it’s fine, I’ll keep the old one. I’ve been told the works will take 2 weeks, as it also involves taking up the tiled floor and replacing it with lino.

It’s just dawning on me what a nightmare this will be. I have to completely empty the kitchen obviously, but there’s not really anywhere to put the stuff, it’s a very small house (just living room leading to kitchen/diner downstairs). The big appliances will go outside in the back yard apparently, but everything else will have to be boxed up and kept somewhere. I’ll have no cooking or washing up facilities, and no way of washing or drying clothes.

That’s all pretty standard I know, but my main concern is that I have a disability (CFS) and also both DC are diagnosed with ASD and currently in the house all the time as neither in education. We will essentially be trapped in our bedrooms for 2 weeks as we won’t be able to move in the front room as realistically that’s the only place everything from the kitchen can go. I need to rest…a lot, and the works will be noisy, which will also affect both DC as they struggle badly with loud noises and not being in a calm environment. They’ll also struggle with a team of workmen being in their space for 2 weeks, They both have completely different food aversions and neither of their limited range of foods is conducive to being able to batch cook and set the microwave up somewhere. Realistically it will mean a lot of eating out, but that’s not really affordable for 2 weeks.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and WIBU to ask the HA if there’s anything that could be done to move us while the works are going on? The only family member I could stay with is my DM but she’s a long way away and having works done on her own house which means she doesn’t have a functioning bathroom, so that’s not ideal really.

Thing is the Aylesbury is right in London

And another one...

It would be hard to work around white goods unless the kitchen is fairly large.

I would suggest the OP ensures the schedule of work is locked down in writing before any work persons arrive - because that is a lawful thing the HA should do - and that removal of white goods to go into safe and dry storage is part of the job.

I don't know why people think that HA tenants should be treated abnormally abusively or unreasonably or outside of what UK Legislation would cover. The only problem for social housing tenants these days is that getting a solicitor or legal junior to represent you in such matters is nigh impossible whereas it used to be straightforward. Whereas for private home owners if a company proposed ludicrous and unworkable or shoddy ideas, you'd simply say 'no thanks, this isn't something I'd like to take you up on'.

You’d think that given your past you’d have a bit more patience for a HA tenant finding things a struggle.

And just because your children coped with a new kitchen fit and saw it as a little adventure, it doesn’t mean OP’s will. For some kids it will be anything but an adventure. Maybe just take OP’s word for it that her kids will find it distressing and disruptive?

I'd be tempted to swap house number-plates with my neighbour.

Not a genuine solution, obviously, but it seems utterly perverse for a newer kitchen (OPs) to be renewed in advance of a much older kitchen (neighbour's).

As an aside, I always believe those showing their ugly, obnoxious jealous spirits when social housing is mentioned are people who would have been snatching up social housing if it were still available.

Their anger should be directed at their own parents, aunts and uncles etc. for 'stealing' social housing under the 'right' to buy scheme introduced by the biggest Tory cowbag ever: Thatcher.

I hope OP reaches a solution, even if it is just putting her head down and enduring the inconvenience as best she can implementing the practical advice given by so many posters.

Just be cause you have never heard of it doesn't mean it never happens
We were indeed moved into.temporary accommodation for ten days when similar work was carried out in our house
You have absolutely no.idea what the Op,s housing Association might be able to.offer.

I really don't know what peoples is imagine these brand new kitchens to.be liked
But I can assure you they are not the dream fitted kitchens posters,seem to be thinking they are
My brand new kitchen consisted of new cupboards sink ,work. Surface and lino.,all.very cheap.and badly installed hardly the stuff of dreams.

My friend had a council house and they installed a new kitchen....it was very basic. Certainly nothing to be jealous of.

I imagine OP would love to afford a house. What's your point exactly?

My point is that unfortunately social housing providers would not be able to afford to temporarily rehouse tenants for standard work been undertaken for short periods of time where it is reasonably expected for a short period of adjustment to take place, Whilst it is difficult there have been some really good suggestions around paper plates/microwave etc for the duration

However they frequently do especially where there are disabilities

Mine did.

@Bean83ts yes they must have a plan for what to do if the tenant has a medical issue that requires being plugged in to the electrics or water (ie kidney dialysis machine).
This would be standard practice I would have thought.

It really isn't I honestly i think some posters are imagining luxury kitchens with granite work surfaces ,be spoke tiled ,floors ,kitchen islands
And all new kitchen appliances ,nothing could be further from the truth.

Not true.

And the tenants rights come under legislation.

Sadly, due to the overwhelming need for housing solicitors, especially disrepair ones, many tenants are not able to ascertain their legal rights in tricky situations with their landlord.

HAs are classified as 'private landlords' in law and they have the same obligations and duties as any private landlord and more on top because they're also a social housing provider and have a duty of care over vulnerable and disabled tenants.

It's a legal obligation, not just some 'nice idea'.

The reason I am so annoyed and have little understanding of the OP isn't without reason.
She contradicts herself in all of her replies.

She says about not wanting to live out of bedrooms for 2 weeks but would be happy with a Travelodge.
Her 2 teenage boys don't get along but she would happily have them all together in on room for 2 weeks instead of having more room at home.
Her boys have ASD but instead of having home comforts and disruption she would rather uproot them disturbing their whole world for 2 weeks.
She has an air fryer but complained that takeaways would become expensive because she wouldn't have a cooker.
Again complains about not having access to a cooker and couldn't get takeaways for the 2 weeks but is happy to be in a room that has no access either.

I could go on.
I am basing my posts off of her words. I was able to make it work, yes but I don't actually feel the OP has any interest in making it work. The reasons she's giving I don't have much sympathy for when in the next breath she is contradicting herself.

I just can't believe her reasons for wanting temporary accommodation are that important to her, when those reasons keep changing.

When I had a council property, the new kitchen (that I ended up not getting as they ran out of funding before they got to my end of the estate)...

Sink unit, cupboard under. Double floor unit. Work top (laminated). Double wall unit cupboard. You could have fitted far more into the space but that was it.

Cheapest of the cheap, my neighbour who did get one found it was falling apart (door hinges pulling out of the carcasses) in a matter of weeks. Then a wall unit fell off in the night.

I felt less put out about not getting one after seeing how everyone elses fared really!

Hopefully they are a bit better than that now, this was nearly 20 years ago, but it certainly won't be anywhere like anything you'd choose for yourself!

I’d suggest the OP contact citizens advice, and other advice agencies and continue to request alternative accommodation while the work is done.

For all those who haven’t bothered reading the OP before rushing in I’d suggest rereading and apologising to her.

I had no idea people were could be so nasty towards a mum who has such disabilities as to be bedridden sometimes.

Some people seem to want the OP punished for being disabled and having a HA home.

I really hope this is resolved for the OP and hope she is given suitable alternative accommodation.
Best of luck

@Fraggeek can you not show some empathy for someone fearing the unknown and worried about how they'll cope?

It's impossible to know how you manage until you're living it, which leads to some less than joined up thinking at times, even if you're not also juggling your own disabilities and the implications of others.

I live in a new build, it's 10 yrs old now, but the kitchen is same as you've described. Also the cabinets are unstable, the doors don't match up and are hung wonky. Because the previous tenant tried to get the housing to repair these issues and they botched it even worse, plus the previous tenant did some damage, it's all in shabby condition, it's embarrassing in fact.

I'm not sure what people think we get in social housing either but it's the lowest possible quality now more than ever. There was a drive to raise housing to 'Decent Homes' standards where kitchens were slightly nicer and better quality for a while but that didn't last. Note : 'decent' homes. ie, an acknowledgement that they are not even decent before and since.

It's all just cheap formica, laminate, and a bit of lino, cobbled together, badly.

What a fucking horrible thread.

So much snobbery and jealousy it’s absolutely patheitc

yOu WilL hAvE tO mAke It WoRk thATs wHaT HomeOWNeRs dO

If homeowners had CFS and two children it in education they would struggle to and be looking for solutions. Why are people berating the OP for doing the same? the fact someone has said “Just go on holiday!” Shows how deluded people are about the finances of others especially people claiming disability allowance.

Imagine of all the billionaires swizzing the system, dodging taxes and using money to piss about in space rather than doing good - choosing to get angry and jealous at a woman living in a tiny council house.

How fucking embarrassing are some of you lot. Have a word with yourselves

Unfortunately IME they are still crap
Which I why I can't understand all the I would live a brand new kitchen comments
Posters really wouldn't If they saw the state of them.

So you want them to pay for your brand new kitchen and pay for temporary accommodation???

It isn’t OP’s brand new kitchen, it’s the HA’s brand new kitchen. When they boot OP out the new person will get it.

Besides it’s only a reasonable adjustment for a disabled family. Someone with a dibilitating condition and ASD kids cannot be without basic facilities.