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Housing disrepair

13 replies

OhMelons · 17/12/2025 10:33

Hoping for some advice as I'm not too sure of my options here.

I've rented my home from the council for the last 9 years, its a nice area and I'm happy here for the most part however the level of disrepair is really getting me down. I have reported so many issues and either nobody turns up, or they turn up and say they can't get the parts or they do a shoddy job so it needs repairing again months later.

Every time we get a new Housing Officer they like to come round and introduce themselves and do an inspection, this tends to be every couple of years but other than that they leave us alone. He came round for an inspection in June and was gobsmacked by the level of work needing doing and said it wasn't fair for us to live like this. So he sent off all the emails to the correct departments requesting a surveyor to come out and create a detailed list off all work to be done. My HO wanted all work to be completed by October and put us on a level red tenancy through no fault of our own. I have chased and chased him and he has chased it on my behalf.

Anyway he came around unannounced last week to check if any work had been completed, it hasn't. Absolutely nothing has been done.

He has chased it again and nothing. I seriously need to decorate but can't do anything until work has been completed.

The issues are:

Damp and mould in the bathroom. The wall is actually rotting so I'm left with massive holes in the wall above the bath. This is due to a faulty extractor fan.

My kitchen is falling apart, all the doors are falling off and my cupboard actually fell off the wall smashing all the glass and plates as it hit the ground due to only using screws on one side.

Every time it rains water comes in through my lounge walls, resulting in massive wet patches all along the outside wall.

Cracks around the frames of my windows.

My front door wont open when it rains

One of the fire doors can't close because an electrician decided to update my fuse box he put it in the way of the door.

I've requested an asbestos check multiple times due to bits of at ceiling coming away due to damp in all rooms.

My 9 year old has asthma and keeps getting recurring respiratory infections and my 15 month old keeps getting ear infections and is on her second lot of antibiotics in 3 weeks. I'm not too sure if its linked but its definitely not helping.

In an ideal world I dont particularly want to complain as I'm worried they would move to evict before the new renters rights bill comes in to force.

What can I do to make them actually do something? Its really getting me down

OP posts:
Nincompoo · 17/12/2025 10:38

You need to contact your HA and tell them that if your issues aren’t resolved within the next xx months you will contact a housing disrepair solicitor, or you could just do that.

It’s not good enough, you deserve better.

OhMelons · 17/12/2025 10:41

@Nincompooabsolutely, I have emailed my housing officer again this morning, he said the laws have changed around damp and mould so they should make contact within a few days but nothing. I was thinking of speaking to my local councillor, she quite often runs clinics out of our community centre. If I gave my property back there's no way they would rent it out again without doing all the repairs so why are they making me live like this.

OP posts:
TheGriffle · 17/12/2025 10:51

You need to utilise your councils complaints procedure then if no luck that way, you can go to the housing ombudsman.

I don’t think the renters rights bill will affect you as this is currently just for private tenants. Awabs law will for damp and mould and there are new regulations they must abide by for this.

NancyBellaDonna · 17/12/2025 11:02

Awaab’s Law does cover social housing.

'Awaab’s Law means that social landlords must investigate significant hazards caused by damp or mould and all emergency hazards in your home and make them safe within set deadlines.'
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing

Awaab’s Law: Guidance for tenants in social housing

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing/awaabs-law-guidance-for-tenants-in-social-housing

watchuswreckthemic · 17/12/2025 11:03

Awaabs law is now in force. Make a formal complaint and review the housing ombudsman website. You can also contact shelter who are fab.

Whereismyfleeceblanket · 17/12/2025 11:05

Contact environmental health today about the mould issues..

OhMelons · 17/12/2025 11:13

Thank you everyone. Ive just read the guidance regarding Awaab's law so I will be using that to make a complaint. It had some really helpful information xx

OP posts:
OhMelons · 17/12/2025 18:22

@ForPearlBeethats extremely helpful advice thank you very much, I will look into this and speak to the kids doctor tomorrow as he's fantastic anyway.

Abit of an update they are coming round to do a damp survey on the 2nd Jan so hopefully the other issues will get sorted too!

OP posts:
peirdolona · 17/12/2025 21:17

Im a HO and the negligence is astonishing. Im telling my tenants to go straight to their Councillors. Thats the only way the repairs seem to get done.

OverlyFragrant · 17/12/2025 21:25

Official complaint with a full timeline of all the reports you've made, missed appointments, unkept promises etc.
When they reply to the complaint, and if no action, take it to a stage 2 complaint.
If no resolution, then complain to the Housing Ombudsman.

OhMelons · 17/12/2025 22:56

@peirdolonaoh really, that's good to know. My new HO was absolutely shocked that issues I've previously raised have been ignored. Its funny, my window latch broke and because its safety they came within 24 hours, and when he came and I showed him the level of disrepair he said it would never get done as the council have no money... so I wasn't sure what to make of that if im honest.

OP posts:
LucyC1992 · 23/12/2025 16:12

in the meantime you need to clear the air for your 9 year old. we used a HEPA purifier (do a good one for allergies) in the bedroom when we had a leak and it really helped with the night time coughing. you have to protect their lungs while you fight for the repairs

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