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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Whose in the wrong? Workman..

27 replies

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 16:39

I rent, been renting for years had no problem all straight forward.

House needs some repairs, so agency got a work man in touch with me. Arranged for the next day for him to come out all great.

He never turned up, I texted and called and got no reply.
Arranged another day and again never turned up.

Arranged another day then my DC came down with covid, he is a type one diabetic and became extremely unwell which required us going to a&e. So obviously I cancelled the day before and said to the workman to arrange a day this week with me. He never gave me a date/time.

Now my agency has been in touch and is annoyed saying I need to let him in as work needs to be done. Despite me keeping two days free and him not turning up on those days?

So I text the workman today with two days this week he's read but not replied. And the agency are saying I need to sort it.

AIBU to think what else can I do if he's not even replying or bothering to turn up on the days he's arranged?

OP posts:
35965a · 09/04/2024 16:40

Tell the agent they need to arrange another workman as this guy is wasting your time

SoundTheSirens · 09/04/2024 16:41

Tell the agency they need to find another workman as this person is unreliable.

vincettenoir · 09/04/2024 16:42

Oh what a pain! I hope it gets sorted soon.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 16:43

Sounds to me as if the agency have rang the workman and asked why it's not been sorted and he's blamed me.

Should I give it till tomorrow and no reply ring the agency? I'm really cross as the agency was really blunt and made it sound like I'm being awkward.

OP posts:
BobbyBiscuits · 09/04/2024 16:45

You are well within your rights to tell them he has not shown up and you can't get him to do so. It's not your problem, they must find someone else. If there are any more missed appointments tell them you'll have to invoice them for the equivalent of your full days wages.
They are breaching contract if the work isn't done, surely? What a bunch of arseholes.

Greyat · 09/04/2024 16:47

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 16:43

Sounds to me as if the agency have rang the workman and asked why it's not been sorted and he's blamed me.

Should I give it till tomorrow and no reply ring the agency? I'm really cross as the agency was really blunt and made it sound like I'm being awkward.

I think you reply to the agency and tell them you've tried he hasn't turned up, then isn't get back to you, can't give any more time to this unreliable tradeable, you've available on x & y dares, let you know when someone's coming.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:07

well my agency are accusing me of being unaccessible now even after I said I waited in for two days and he didn't turn up and the third time my son was rushed to a&e. This is ridiculous.

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 09/04/2024 17:08

This happens to social housing tenants all the time.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:14

JenniferBooth · 09/04/2024 17:08

This happens to social housing tenants all the time.

But I'm not a social tenant. My agency is literally speaking to me as if I'm a child and have been awkward on purpose.
I feel like I'm going to end up with a eviction notice over this, I've texted and called the workman and he's not picking up and they are saying to just keep trying why should I? Isn't this the agencies job?

OP posts:
JenniferBooth · 09/04/2024 17:18

Well social tenants arent children who are being awkward on purpose either.

MargotMoon · 09/04/2024 17:18

Screenshot all your messages to the workman and email them to the letting agency.

Emmagr1981 · 09/04/2024 17:19

It is the agents responsibility to arrange. Tell them when you are available and ask them to contact him directly to confirm the booking.

Tanyahawkes · 09/04/2024 17:19

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:14

But I'm not a social tenant. My agency is literally speaking to me as if I'm a child and have been awkward on purpose.
I feel like I'm going to end up with a eviction notice over this, I've texted and called the workman and he's not picking up and they are saying to just keep trying why should I? Isn't this the agencies job?

Show quote history

My advice would be to email the agency so you have it in writing, put a screen shot of the read message from the workman that shows he isn’t responding. I’m sure it is their job to be chasing him or finding another work man to do the job

SoundTheSirens · 09/04/2024 17:20

Remind the agency that the workman works for them, not you, that the contract is between the two of them and that as you have tried fruitlessly to contact him, they now need to take back the responsibility. Make sure you give them a list of dates when you’re available (so they can’t claim you’re being obstructive / inaccessible).

midlifepisces · 09/04/2024 17:20

*who's

SoundTheSirens · 09/04/2024 17:21

midlifepisces · 09/04/2024 17:20

*who's

Did that make you feel big and clever? 🙄

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:24

I will email them instead. As the owner of the agency is being really rude via WhatsApp.

They are really difficult as a agency, my landlord employed a individual house inspector separate to the agency and when she came round she said a lot of what my agency had done I.e refused to give me my landlords contact details when I requested them, not fix my front door handle in 7 years so I've never had a secure front door, not give me a co2 alarm etc. etc. was illegal.

Yet when they want me to jump I am expected to jump. I will tell them to arrange with a list of dates and let me know when he's coming.

OP posts:
noctilucentcloud · 09/04/2024 17:27

You could also screenshot your call log as well as your messages.

JenniferBooth · 09/04/2024 17:27

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:24

I will email them instead. As the owner of the agency is being really rude via WhatsApp.

They are really difficult as a agency, my landlord employed a individual house inspector separate to the agency and when she came round she said a lot of what my agency had done I.e refused to give me my landlords contact details when I requested them, not fix my front door handle in 7 years so I've never had a secure front door, not give me a co2 alarm etc. etc. was illegal.

Yet when they want me to jump I am expected to jump. I will tell them to arrange with a list of dates and let me know when he's coming.

Im HA and we have had fire doors fitted to our flats that HAVE to be able to self close. Surely private landlords should at least make front doors secure

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 17:42

Well my agency are not replying now I screen shot my messages and call log from/to him.

They have sent a number of useless workmen to me, some never turn up or can diagnose the problem and I have to get someone else out.
The door they knew was never fixed. I have mentioned it for years and years to them, they sent one person who looked at it said they needed to get a part and never returned. One point I was locked in as I couldn't open the door and had to climb through my window!!

OP posts:
LakieLady · 09/04/2024 18:04

As well as sending the agency the messages, OP, if you have any paperwork from the hospital or GP that confirms your attendance at the hospital, I'd suggest that you send that to the agency.

It will show that you had a perfectly valid reason for cancelling the earlier appointment, and it may put them off any thoughts of going for possession.

It may not be the agency's fault that the workman is unreliable (I've had no end of issues getting builders round to quote for work on my house, they just don't seem to want the work), but they need to understand that you're not being difficult.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 09/04/2024 18:24

LakieLady · 09/04/2024 18:04

As well as sending the agency the messages, OP, if you have any paperwork from the hospital or GP that confirms your attendance at the hospital, I'd suggest that you send that to the agency.

It will show that you had a perfectly valid reason for cancelling the earlier appointment, and it may put them off any thoughts of going for possession.

It may not be the agency's fault that the workman is unreliable (I've had no end of issues getting builders round to quote for work on my house, they just don't seem to want the work), but they need to understand that you're not being difficult.

That's a good idea, I don't have hospital paperwork but my sons diabetes team were aware of 999 call & a&e visit I'll get them to email me confirming this and send to agency.

We've arranged a date for later this week which I've told the agency about, so will see if he turns up this time! If he does not I will ring the agency this time myself and tell them to chase him.
I'm not very impressed at all. I have been a very good tenant always paid my rent on time or early, and always allowed them in immediately to do work or whatever is needed & agreed to rental increases with no problem so no idea why they think it was acceptable to talk to me like that.

OP posts:
35965a · 09/04/2024 18:28

If theyre being rude to you OP be rude straight back. Don’t let them be pricks to you.

Original poster
MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 11/04/2024 09:30

Not looking likely they'll turn up again, scheduled for 9 and still no sign.
I'm furious. Why is my time not of any value? Would it be bad to wait till 11 and then tell the agency to schedule someone else?

OP posts:
JMSA · 11/04/2024 10:11

That is SO annoying, OP Angry

And hope your wee boy is ok Flowers

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