Housing association saying I’m unreasonable I don’t think I am !!!

[HAunreasonable]

The HA need to do planned repair/upgrade work. The appt slots are 830-1230 or 130-530.
I asked them to book mine around school runs but twice they’ve turned up when I’m out ? Now saying that if they are ‘refused entry’ a third time it will lead to further action???

Surely they have to be fair about this and come at a time that works for everyone

And you were in control of what was done to your house and who did the work.

OP is having work done that she doesn't want or need. She has no control over the process. She can't phone around and get a workman who can fit into her schedule, like I can as a teacher with my own home.

A private contractor working for an individual who owns their home is far more flexible and helpful. They need to be. They need the work, they need the word of mouth recommendations, and the reviews. They also can't afford the lost unpaid time involved in turning up when the householder isn't there.

A contractor working for the council couldn't give a stuff. They get paid anyway. Why care about the person in that HA house or help them out on any way? They don't matter.

Exactly.
"This thread really is mental" about sums it up. I'm new to MN. Are they all like this?!

Op just phone them and rearrange the date for the next half term. It’s ignoring them and letting them turn up whenever that will cause the issue.

It’s not free. The HA are maintaining their property that the op pays rent to live in.

What if a tenant was unwell and in hospital, or had an urgent unmissable medical appointment for chemotherapy? Or someone dies and they were attending a funeral.

Oh well, I'm sure the compliance work must take priority over all other life events 🙄

And they also often have mortgages.

Right, so I had this last year with my gas boiler visit.
They threatened to take me to court or repossess my home for refusing entry.
I work full-time and they were booking midday slots and refused to do a weekend.
I had to book a day off work to have this bloody gas visit.
The actual engineer at my door said they will 100% take you to court but when you stand in court and tell them “I’ve told them multiple times I can only do evenings or weekends but they refused”… it’s the HA in the shit for not accommodating working people.

@HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend

Where are you getting 10 mins from? - as this isn’t the case with the OP.

I had misread the OPs post and thought the appointment slots were 9am - 12, but they're 8.30 on. The OP has said she's back from 9.15, so at the most it's 45 mins in the morning. And much the same in the afternoon. She's made reasonable efforts to arrange an appointment and has offered to leave a key. She has a legal duty for her children to be in school as well. I really cannot believe that a court is going to mandate for a landlord to break into the property when the tenant has made more than reasonable efforts to allow them access around fulfilling her other legal duties for her children to attend school.

Here's the shelter position on it:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housingadvice/repairs/repairssandinspectionssaccesstooyourrenteddhome

They have a template suggesting how to arrange an alternative time. Seems to me the OP has been more than reasonable in trying to to allow them access.

OP you do need to think contingency plans - this time it's the HA, what would you do if you broke your leg and couldn't walk ? How would you manage the school run then? Or had major surgery ?

Maybe just call in ill that day and dc stays off school

Haven't read the full thread so this may have been suggested and discounted, but I note you have a keysafe. Put keys in keysafe. Put note on the door for the contractors to call your mobile for keysafe code. When they call your mobile, give them the keysafe code and tell them you will be home in 10 mins. (Whilst it might be head office policy to not use keysafes, the contractors are probably unaware, and would just be keen to avoid a wasted journey).

I think HA people are so lucky, so very lucky, they should do whatever they are told and not set demands - I clearly remember, paying so much more to live in a rented room in Euston in 1990s, compared to a 2-bedroom flat in the HA association next door - Datchet House, Augustus Street!!!! I was young and could not understand how it is possible to live in such luxury for a pittance!

Unfortunately compliance works will always take priority, it’s not only keeping the tenant safe but the neighbours and others around the property.

You’d be the first to complain if a house blew up or someone was electrocuted because the HA failed to ensure their properties were compliant.

This is not said to be scaremongering, they are the very reasons why they legally have to be completed because people have died or been injured.

Stick a note on your door saying "school run, back by 9.15" (or whatever time) and leave a packet of biscuits out.

Yes. Just one of life’s inconveniences but it all works out x

lots of whataboutery there!

If it is so important they need to use their common sense and provide a smaller window for the appointment. A school run is not a frivolous reason for not being at home.

I like this!!

"If it is so important they need to use their common sense and provide a smaller window for the appointment. A school run is not a frivolous reason for not being at home."

And not turn up during the 45 minutes the OP has explicitly said she won't be there, but rather in one of the other 5 hours of their own stated available appointment time window that she said she will 🙄

If the school run doesn’t take long just leave a not in the letter box. ‘ nipped out for school run back in 5mins ‘. 9/10 they will usually just wait outside or go to the next job if its near and come back

I have the same issue - but - not an HA, and I warn anyone coming to do something when I'll be out, and to call me - which they pretty much all do. YANBU to expect the HA to be able to put you first or last on the call list - it's a tiny accommodation

I live in a council property and always ask them to make repairs appointments away from school run times and they always do. I guess it is at the discretion of the council but it does seem unhelpful of them to just say no and not TRY to accommodate that. It’s not like you’re asking for a very specific time just not between 8.30-9 or 2.45-3.15 or something!

@saraclara
I wasn't always in control of the work. Often times it was repairs such as a broken heating or leak that needed sorting asap but due to my work, had to wait as I couldn't take time off.
But your response doesn't surprise me. So many people on MN can't understand that home owners don't have everything easier than tenants!

I’m council and it’s usually 8-1 or 1-5 but the contractor always texts half an hour before they arrive and they have often been able to narrow it down to a 2 hour window if pushed.

Leave a key with a neighbour? Put a note on the door saying back in 10 minutes, with the time you put the note there and your mobile number?
If there's no alternative, keep the children off school or bring them in late, saying you had to wait in to let in workmen for an essential repair. So long as you don't keep bringing the DC in late it should be OK with the school. It is essential to get this work done and avoid whatever the consequences are.