What happens if you don't pay Housing Association cleaning bill after you moved out?

[MarmaladeSunset]

I think the Housing Association are being unreasonable.

The situation:

My elderly relative was given permission years ago to build a small extension on the side of the house. He's just moved out, and is now being asked to remove this extension, along with a metal storage shed.

He is a broken man right now, he just watched his wife die in hospital, then had to move house 3 days later, he's exhausted from being her carer for 30 years, he has arthritis in both knees.

The old house is in a remote village and he no longer has a car (he had it on a scheme for disabled and carers).

He's in bits, his mental health is in tatters, his physical health is not good. He's in no state to remove a whole building by himself, he doesn't have a car to get to the property, and he can't afford to pay a bill from the HA (they'll charge him if he doesn't remove it).

What would happen to him if he didn't pay the amount they bill for removing this? Would they take him to court?

So sorry for his loss

The extension - what it is made from? I can't see that would be easy to dismantle unless conservatory style?
Was the extension done with planning permission or under permitted development? Did building control sign it off when complete? Is it in good condition?
If its a well built, structurally sound safe extension, why do they want it removed?
When they gave permission for it to be built did they stipulate in writing whether had to be removed when vacating the property?

Morally of course he shouldn't have to, but I presume you are asking legally whether he needs too? Can any family members assist?

Difficult one, sorry about your relative.

The standard procedure when ending any tenancy is that you return the property in the state you received it. In council/HA properties this can even mean returning upgraded light fittings and the like to their original white plastic state.

Have you spoken to the HA? The best course of action here is surely to explain to them his situation and hope they take a compassionate view.

Edit: If they can demonstrate costs then they will take someone to court but it's a last resort after everything else has failed.

I think you need to help him write a letter to them detailing the circumstances. Can you get any further advice? Maybe speak to Age UK, the local council (not housing association) and his MP?

If tenants make good improvements to their homes it seems churlish of the HA to want them all removed.

Was he warned at the time of permission being granted that he would have to remove it upon leaving? If so, I imagine the HA would argue he signed up to those terms and conditions.

That said, if the extension meets building regs it seems a bit of 'cutting off one's nose to spite one's face on the HA's part. A lot of people would be thrilled to move into a property with a bit of additional space.

When my mum died suddenly, the council wanted me to strip the place back to the bone (remove the flooring, all light fittings, all fixtures in the bathroom).

Reader, it did not happen. 🙄

@Butchyrestingface what were the consequences when you didn't strip the place - did they send you a bill and did you pay it?

Unfortunately housing association and councils are so strict about leaving things the way they was found
I had to rip up brand new flooring well about a year old flooring when I gave ny keys back to the housing I also gave it a full clean before hand
And in another property I moved into again ha previous tenant had actually build a conservatory but the ha let them leave it this was many years ago now though

No and no.

My cousin's father, who lived in the same building as my mum and also rented from local council, had died in similar circumstances 6 months prior. Cousin went into flat, took a few mementos and left the whole place in situ, no attempt to even remove furniture.

I don't believe he was fined either.

We're in Scotland.

Can you check if your father is responsible for the place, OP? Since he’s been forced to vacate, was it his wife’s tenancy? Do they even have any contract with him?

What sort of structure is it? You could offer it on a free site for collector to dismantle and take away. I gave away a garage like that.