To listen to my friend and let this council property go

[secular37]

Hello everyone,

We were offered a council property a few months ago now and have moved in recently due to the number of outstanding the repairs that the council had to do to the property. The flat is not carpeted due to waiting for the council to fix our leaking roof. Therefore, we are currently camping on the living room floor. However, I have just spoken to the council to get an update on our leaking roof (as whenever it rains, the top bedrooms leak). The council informed me that it can take 6 months for scaffolding to be put up and for them to look at the roof. We have not been able to decorate upstairs, carpet etc the bedrooms. I spoke to my friend about this who told me that due to the number of replaces and the longevity of the roof issue, we should cut our losses and tell the council to find us somewhere else. What should we do?

Find something else but I don’t think it’s that easy.

It doesn’t sound like the council should be renting the flat to you if the roof leaks. They have to stick to standards , unlike private landlords. I doubt a property with a leaking roof meets the minimum standards for human habitation.
I would have a word with Shelter who will advise you on how to proceed to get the best outcome from the council.

You need to speak to the council about your rights and how letting go of the property would affect your position on the housing list. Don't let a property go if it means they'll deem you intentionally homeless and take you off the list.

Saying that, the property sounds in very poor repair so I'd also be seeking advice from Shelter on your legal rights around timely repairs.

Definitely contact Shelter to get proper advice on how to move this forward.

You need to talk to shelter and the cab.
Don't just move out or they may say you are intentionally homeless and they don't have to help you.

I doubt there is anywhere else readily available. If you like the house other than this start putting pressure on. Email the Head of Housing/Building and copy in your councillors/MPs.

Explain how you are living, point out it’s unsafe, has health implications (damp), and also the damage being done to their property/housing stock. And keep on.

You need to make a formal complaint to the council and if necessary get the MP involved. It is completely unacceptable to leave you with a leaky roof for 6months and not being able to use half of your property.

Can you contact your local MP or councillor about this issue.
I think you should fight to stay there and kick up more of a fuss to get the issues sorted ASAP.
The squeaky wheel always gets the oil.

I'd be wary of trying to leave though the conditions are unacceptable. Can you get environmental health round? If the roof could collapse it would be disasterous. How does your friend know the condition of the roof? It obviously has a leak, but it may need replacing, or could be fixed? How old is the house? Could you ask a roofer to come round and give a quote? Some offer this for free. Some look at it on a camera image so don't even need to attend. Then at least you have an idea of what really should be done.
It's not right but there's no guarantee they will offer anything better, or nearby. They could even claim you've made yourself intentionally homeless by saying you won't stay.

Was it leaking when you moved in? Ask if they have written list of the standard their properties should be when let.
Pursue their complaints process/see a solicitor about suing them for disrepair.

They probably don't have the money for the scaffold but that's not your problem, push for them to repair.

You could ask for them to 'decant' (move) you whilst the works are being done but I think the likelihood of that is very low. Might be worth adding to your letter of complaint anyway.

Don't listen to your friend. Dont let the flat go. Speak to Shelter about your situation in the morning. They'll advise.

Generally it really is better to get proper legal housing advice, than listening to mates and other unqualified people.

Agree with pp's, contact your MP. It'll trigger a Members Enquiry which housing depts absolutely hate dealing with because they have to stick to specified reply timelines and also set out exactly what and when theyll do to resolve issues. When I worked in Housing and Homeless the minute an MP's enquiry landed never mind what else you had to do, that was priority no matter what

Unfortunately EH are unlikely to help. They have enforcement powers, but the council can't enforce on itself, so they tend not to get involved at all with the council housing stock.

MP/local councillors are your best bet.

I'd go to the press that's ridiculous. I bet they did it so they can say you gave it up. Shocking really. There's no point providing housing if people would be better off in a bloody tent

Also echoing previous posters. You need to kick up a fuss. Contact your local MP. Best way to get a response.

Are they expecting you to be paying full rent until it's fixed?

They won't find you somewhere else.

Your rights as a council tenant are a property that's wind and watertight. They shouldn't have let you move in until that repair was done OP. Look it up. Those are your absolute rights. I work in social housing

Please don't withhold rent in lieu of repairs. You'll find yourself being taken to court for rent arrears.

Are you allowed to arrange your own repairs? I know you’d have to pay but it could be sorted in a few days depending on costs.

No. We found out after we moved in. It was raining one day and then we noticed the leak. Since then, every time it rains, we get a leak.

When you say a leak, how much and is it literally every time it rains even a little?

There's a weakness in our roof. A damp patch appears if there's very heavy rain. It dries fast. Its been like it years (we've had it checked) and its largely cosmetic.

Worth asking for a reduction. I wasn't suggesting op just doesn't pay. When my council hadn't finished I got 2 weeks free rent.

At the very least they could put some waterproof sheeting in the loft to stop the water coming through the ceiling. Call and complain, call the ombudsmen if no response from them. Email in everything with photos.

Oh that's really good and unusual for local authorities. Loving the very pertinent user name 😂