Really need urgent help with a housing problem, can anyone please advise?

[ElizabethWakefield]

Hoping someone will be able to help or advise please.

I have lived in my housing association flat for the past 9 and a half years, and generally never had any problem (or caused any problems)

About 5 years ago it was decided that my whole area was going to be regenerated which included a large amount of housing coming down in phases (all the housing being from my housing association, including my house) but everyone was guaranteed a brand new flat.

The first phase has now gone ahead, and I am looking at being in a new house in about 18mnth/2 yrs time.

In the past 2 years I have had a leak outside my front door in the communal area almost every time it rains, I have complained about this several times, but it wont be fixed as they are not fixing any building faults. I was offered a move (not to a new house but to another empty house in the block) but I refused it as the water was not directly coming into my house (although it was a problem, slippy, meaning I was constantly coming into my house with wet feet etc, but nothing major)

Anyway, I took the whole of last week off work to decorate, bought new bedroom furniture from both DD and I, and decorated both out bedrooms.

Woke up yesterday morning and there was water coming down from DD ceiling (she was not there luckily) which had washed most of the new paint off the walls.

Phoned housing and got out an emergency plumber and joiner as it was thought the water was coming from the empty flat about. They broke in, but it wasn't. It appears to be another building fault. So I was left with it as there was nothing they can do.

So, 9am this morning I phoned to speak to the housing officer, explained what had happened and again I have been offered a move as they wont fix the building. Again the move would be to another flat within this block.

But I would be responsible for all costs, moving costs, the cost of redecorating another flat, carpets, everything. Having just spent money all last week, I genuinely can't afford the cost of doing all that.

I'm a single parent working part time, and don't have much in the way of savings.

I feel as though, if I were saying that I fancied a move then fair enough it would be my responsibility, but as I genuinely can't stay here and no one will fix it, is it really my responsibility??

I am also wary about moving to another flat in the same building, as obviously there is problems with the building, and what if I pay out all the money for moving and 6 months later it happens again?

I have both a housing officer and building inspector coming up at some point today, so any help or advice any one can give would be very much appreciated.

Why on earth did youspend all that money on redecorating a flat which is going to be pulled down in the very near future? If it's in the same block your moving costs won't be that much surely? If you're goign to have to move anyway, I'd just move to a flat within the same complex for the time being, if yours has so many problems. I can completely understand why they don't want to pay for any repairs. Can you not move into a private flat? I know you benefit from reduced rent in housing association, but I think the difference would most likely be made up in housing benefit.

How much is it going to cost you to move, realistically?

If you can get friends and family to help then it will be £0.

you might be best to take the flat in same block and make it as nice as you can, clean it up maybe get cheap rugs instead of carpet and freecycle for furniture, its what i had to do when first got my council house (it was a disgusting state) i just got bits one at a time when could afford it and it still isnt great but its clean, warm and a home. just try tot ell yourself its only temporary and in couple of years you will have a lovely new house.

I decorated because I planned to be here for the next 2 years, it needed doing, and obviously the furniture will do us after the move.

I didn't plan for the ceiling to start letting in the very next day.

Realistically the move wont cost £0. The physically moving of the furniture could be done with little/no cost, but I would be moving into a completely stripped bare flat. So I would need flooring of some description in every room and depending on the state of the walls most may need painting. I doubt any of the flats will be in great walk in condition.

Also small things like getting my shower moved etc would be an issue.

I don't want to move into a private rent etc, as I want to eventually end up in one of the new flats, and don't want to give up my chance of that.

When I first moved in here I moved in with a new baby and no money or furniture and built it all up.

But I feel now it's not really my fault the house is letting in water, and I understand why they are not fixing the building, but it still leaves me in a rubbish position.

it is hard i know as have been in similar situation myself as a single parent, its just a case of prioritising what you need and what you can save on, yes you need flooring but get cheap rugs not carpets, it isnt ideal but i had to at first do things like use bed sheets instead of curtains untill a friend got new and gave me her old ones. walls can be left if you dont have the money to paint and when you do homebase or wickes do a cheap range with big tubs of white/magnolia emulsion that make everywhere look clean.its hard having to live somewhere that isnt how you would like it to be but like you said you have the prospect of a lovely new house to look forward to.

could the ha help with moving your shower, do you have to have a shower for medical reason as if so they should help you with that?

also did you have contents insurance to cover you for water damage etc as maybe they would pay out and enable you to then move/decorate?

Ask the HA for moving costs - their decision not to fix, so their decision causing move.

AND/or get contents insurance and put all the furniture under the leak - when claiming tell your insurers that your HA has refused to fix the leak and get your insurers to pursue theirs....? Just a maybe as not sure what the conditions on lease are - if they offer a move rather than repair do you have to agree or is this an acceptable solution under the terms.

If the HA are getting all their properties demolished then they should be pretty cash rich very soon - I'm guessing if up for demolition rates etc will have been cut??

Many HA also issue either a 'decorating grant' or a paint pack' (which also provides brushes/ rollers etc) Just ask your HO, it's worth a try. There are also charities which sell very cheap recycled furniture/ white goods (tested) at rock bottom prices. I used to be a resettlement officer for people moving out of residential care and these were our first stops. Maybe ask CAB or look in your local phone book. And good luck.