Decent Homes Scheme - Rights?

gRoberts

Hi everyone,

Our Council have been for the past couple of years, slowly but surely renovating all of their properties and the majority of them have been completed.

My parents complained to the council because their doors are in a poor state and that due to my dads illness, they should be replaced.

A letter came over the weekend, similar to the one I received when I was having my house renovated, stating that only the Windows and Doors would be replaced.

Now when I had my property renovated, I had the following:

Pointing
Gutters
Windows
Doors
Kitchen
Bathroom
Radiators
Combi boiler
Rewiring.

We are both in the same borough.

Their excuse is that they have ran out of money and cannot afford to do the additional work, yet the property is in a poor state.

Anyone ever come across this and have any advice?

Cheers

Gavin

clutton_2

maybe the council plan to do the full renovation in the next financial year.. why not ask ?

gRoberts

According to my parents, they will not be at all.

That could mean this year, or completely, which one, I'm not sure.

Thanks

merlin68

We were told there not doing ours, because each room has to fail on 3 points. But I have managed to swindle a front door out of them. By complaning loudly.

gRoberts

just goes to show how bad they are. Whats worse, is that your rent will go up just as much as the person that got EVERYTHING.

viktory

gRoberts wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Our Council have been for the past couple of years, slowly but surely renovating all of their properties and the majority of them have been completed.

My parents complained to the council because their doors are in a poor state and that due to my dads illness, they should be replaced.

A letter came over the weekend, similar to the one I received when I was having my house renovated, stating that only the Windows and Doors would be replaced.

Now when I had my property renovated, I had the following:

Pointing
Gutters
Windows
Doors
Kitchen
Bathroom
Radiators
Combi boiler
Rewiring.

We are both in the same borough.

Their excuse is that they have ran out of money and cannot afford to do the additional work, yet the property is in a poor state.

Anyone ever come across this and have any advice?

Cheers

Gavin

Are you referring to internal or external doors?

To be honest, each house will have the work done that is necessary to bring the house up to the decent homes standard. If your parents genuinely have cause to have the doors repaired then they should request a surveyor visit and inspect the doors. They surveyor may choose to repair or replace the doors - or do nothing. At least you can ask the surveyor on site at the time though though.

dmg24

gRoberts wrote: »

just goes to show how bad they are. Whats worse, is that your rent will go up just as much as the person that got EVERYTHING.

Either way, that rent will be far lower than someone renting privately.

What is actually wrong with the doors, and how do the doors affect your dads illness?

gRoberts

The external doors and windows are being replaced, starting with the front door on Friday.

My father has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment. According to his consultant, he needs the work doing to the house, to ensure he is kept warm.

The house, in general is falling to bits. The doors are so bad, they can be nudged open with minimal effort. So much so, we had 3 seperate instances this month were someone has attempted and succeeded to gain access to the property and steal something.

The council, despite them paying full rent, council tax etc, refuse to help them out.

My parents are currently having "words" with the foreman to get an explanation but I assume that that'll get them no where.

Thanks everyone!

dmg24

gRoberts wrote: »

The external doors and windows are being replaced, starting with the front door on Friday.

My father has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment. According to his consultant, he needs the work doing to the house, to ensure he is kept warm.

The house, in general is falling to bits. The doors are so bad, they can be nudged open with minimal effort. So much so, we had 3 seperate instances this month were someone has attempted and succeeded to gain access to the property and steal something.

The council, despite them paying full rent, council tax etc, refuse to help them out.

My parents are currently having "words" with the foreman to get an explanation but I assume that that'll get them no where.

Thanks everyone!

Could some stronger locks be fitted as an interim measure? You can pick these up cheaply enough.

gRoberts

Already done my friend The last time, they were caught trying to get in lol Shame I didn't catch them...

As for Anner003.... I'll refrain

Mum_of_3_3

Are you not allowed to fit your own doors to a council property? If the council won't fit them for another year, then maybe pop down to B&Q and get one to fit yourself.

Here's a wooden exterior door for £127

Failing that stick a couple of bolts on the inside of the door to stop intruders and hang a thick curtain over the back of the door using a curtain rail to stop the drafts.

M_o_3