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

Of course private rent covers repairs!

OP, I work for a HA (although long time since I've dealt with repairs). I think they are being inflexible, we used to have an option years ago to say avoid school run as it would be wasting our time as much as yours. If they won't do that, could you ask to be scheduled as the last job for the morning slot? This will give you time to get back and they should be done for afternoon pick up.

Housing associations are subsidised by government grants to enable them to charge lower rents. Surprised you don’t know that?

ETA - housing association properties are like gold dust unfortunately so I do think those lucky enough to get one should be accommodating when it comes to their upkeep

YABU it seems like there’s a reason you can’t do any of the suggestions. Quite frankly does it matter in the grand scheme of things if your kids have one mornings absence? No.
Make sure you’re in when they come and drop your children off later. Or early breakfast club. Or ask a classmates parents to do it as a one off. It’s really not impossible.

Sorry op but this is life, whether expecting workmen or deliveries you have to come up with solutions. As others have said ask another parent to help, ask a friend to wait in the house while you drop or collect. Send them in a taxi.

It is unreasonable to expect workmen to arrange their schedules round each individual persons needs theyd never get anything done. They've given you 2 options it's up to you to arrange people to help you. Good luck.

Lol my plumber does this all the time - calls and asks if he can come early or late depending on what’s happened with other jobs he’s got that day. It’s quite normal.

This is no different to any other work or deliveries etc and it's not limited to HA properties

repairs are still not free to the tenant. Lucky enough to get one? So you think anyone in a council or housing association house should accept less? Be more grateful? Bow harder? Wow.

It’s becoming normal because people like you facilitate it.

I had this, HA decided they were going to do loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and put in a heat pump system (that I did not want) for every visit a full survey and asbestos separate survey were needed, I worked it out and they wanted to do 27 visits! I refused but ended up moving in the end, they were constantly badgering and ringing, I know its their house but are we not entitled to live in peace? No way could we take time off work for 27 visits🙄

Think it qualifies according to government definition. Long term. Needs a 1:1 needs significant additional support.

Id keep the kids off school until the HA had been, or take them in late.

Just phone the school that morning and tell them the kids have d&v 🤷🏽‍♀️

I do think it's unusual that they can't accommodate a say 9.15 start of appointment time.
I'd call again and let them know all the times you can do eg all day outside of these 2 x small slots

Exactly. It’s not a big deal missing half a day or one day at primary school (or secondary). If he had D&V he’d have to have at least a whole day off. People make a big thing of things that don’t really need to be.

But then what if they cancel on the day? We can't keep kids off school because workmen are coming.

YABVVVU. These people have got jobs to do, you’re not the only person in the world to ever have had a child. They’ve given you a time slot so you need to arrange childcare for that time. Presumably this is being done for free so count yourself lucky rather than moaning.

What’s the repair for?

Tbh it’s a pretty standard appointment times and is part of your tenancy agreement.

If for any compliance repairs then your failure to allow access will lead to court action.

However I would call them up and ask to speak to a manager and explain your circumstances, however if your appointment is for an electrical EIRC they take 4 hrs to complete so they will need access in the stipulated times.

That’s 48 hrs though they’d have to then have another day off after unless I had the appt on a Friday and I can’t pick the day either !

I don’t think they can guarantee turning up at a particular time. They have a list of jobs to do in various places and work their way through them and they get there when they get there.

I understand this is very difficult if you have no-one to ask to take the kids to school. Maybe speak to the school and explain you will be in late. If they make a fuss ask them what they suggest you do? 🤷‍♀️

I’ve emailed the HA to request a time slot 915-1230 I’ve explained in detail (again) I’m hoping someone sympathetic sees it !

As long as you don’t have other unauthorised absences, it won’t matter. One unauthorised half-day is not going to be a big deal.

Our HA offers school run appointments so between 09:15 and 14:45.

You mention an elderly neighbour.

Would they come and sit in your home for a short time while you take your DC to school?

No she has carers x3 a day and isn’t well she can’t go out

Mines the same - it can be a nuisance & waste lots of annual leave waiting in for them. I think it's just something you have to work with in HA & council housing.

You need to weigh up the cost of a few days of unpaid leave or a few hours of extra child care with what you would pay if you moved to private rented. A private landlord would likely be more flexible (but not necessarily)