Housing Association emergency front door replacement.

FOXGLOVE_2

Hi

Looking for advice on this, please.

This afternoon, my neighbours smoke alarm was going off for ages and since my partner has passed him on the street ten minutes ago, we knew he wasn't home. I went to his door and could smell smoke so we called the fire brigade who came out, looked through letterbox and could see smoke so they kicked the door in. He'd left something on the cooker so luckily there wasn't major damage so asked us who owned the property.

Like us, the whole block is owned by a housing association so I think the fire brigade were arranging to contact them to fix the door back up.

My neighbour came back during this so they told him he should contact the housing association to see to his door.

He contacted them and they told him that they would send someone to 'secure' the door but he would have to pay for a new one.

I don't understand how they can ask people to pay - especially as he was out and we called the fire brigade.

He said that the reason he had to pay was because he had left the cooker on and it was negligence. I've contacted the housing officer and expressed my disgust at this. Everybody here is on a low income and who can afford to pay for a new front door?

If people knew that their neighbour will be left with a bill for a new door, I think some people would think twice about reporting fires etc, this is really dangerous.

Anyone else been in this situation and what else can be done? Do they take peoples incomes into account or do most councils/housing associations just expect you to pay?

It's a front door we're talking about, I'm just apalled at this.

Wee_Willy_Harris

He can always claim off his insurance.

FOXGLOVE_2

I doubt very much if anyone in this block has insurance, I know he certainly hasn't.

He's said that he hasn't got the money to pay for the new door.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Then they will add it to his rent account as a re-charge and he'll pay a bit extra rent each week until it's paid for.

Jowo_2

Though I could be conflating this with private tenancies of which I have more knowledge rather than social housing tenancies, there it is the norm for tenants to pay towards damage caused by their own actions.

What does your tenancy agreement or tenant handbook say about this?

Why should the public purse to pick up every expense caused by the negligence of social housing tenants? Is there nothing that a low income tenant should be responsible for?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Jowo wrote: »

Though I could be conflating this with private tenancies of which I have more knowledge rather than social housing tenancies, there it is the norm for tenants to pay towards damage caused by their own actions.

What does your tenancy agreement or tenant handbook say about this?

Why should the public purse to pick up every expense caused by the negligence of social housing tenants? Is there nothing that a low income tenant should be responsible for?

A fair comment. But in this case it is a HA so no public money will be involved specifically in replacing this door. The money will come from the HA's budget. It would be ironic of the OP, having complained about how unfair it all is, were to have her new kitchen delayed due to a budget shortfall. After all, even HA's can only spend each pound once.

Eton_Rifle

Jowo wrote: »

Why should the public purse to pick up every expense caused by the negligence of social housing tenants? Is there nothing that a low income tenant should be responsible for?

The taxpayer has even paid for the fire-service to come to his flat and saved you all from burning to death because of this stupidity yet all you can think about is compensation for the damage caused in the attempt to save your lives?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

The taxpayer has even paid for the fire-service to come to his flat and saved you all from burning to death because of this stupidity yet all you can think about is compensation for the damage caused in the attempt to save your lives?

Even HA tenants are taxpayers.

FOXGLOVE_2

Anyone with any practical advice on this?

I'm sure the last thing my neighbour wanted to see when he got home today was the fire engine outisde and his door busted in. Accidents happen, but perhaps this "stupidity" only happens to social housing tenants, judging by comments made so far.

Both myself and my neighbour work, so we are the taxpayers you talk about.

Should we ignore the negligence and let the building burn down next time? I'd much rather have my building safe than be worried about a "new kitchen".

I welcome any advice on this.

chocdonuty

Had it been an electrical fault or similar then I can see how it was not the tenants fault and due to the builders or mantenance people.
Unfortunatly it was entirely the tenants fault, he should think himself lucky there was not further damage and he has such good neighbours! He should pay the damage himself.
Inurance may pay out but if he has none then thats just tough luck! I pay just £10 a month for contents insurance and I have a rather limited income but should the worst happen I know I'm covered, definatly worth it in my opinion.

poppysarah

He should have had insurance with accidental damage. I hope you do!

Is he being charged for kitchen repairs or are none needed?

I think this is what all councils do. If he has special hardship to plea then he might get away with not paying - but it's a pretty stupid and dangerous thing to do, so maybe he needs to pay it as a reminder to always make sure the cooker is off.

It's not you who'll be paying for a new door - would he rather have nothing but a pile of ashes and a bit bill?

If he'd been burgled and could produce a crime reference number there'd be no bill to pay - from what I remember from Manchester City Council's housing dept.