Loosing the will to live

concerned43

Hope someone can help - sorry its a bit long winded.....
At long last I managed to secure Social Housing after waiting for 14 months. It is in a good area and I have a side and back garden which is ideal for us, however I have had terrible trouble with the tenancy. When i looked at the house it was filthy and needed a lot of repairs to walls, ceilings ,kitchen and bathroom.
I was told I had 4 weeks in which to report these repairs, which I did but also found out that there was no gas supplier and the electrics had not been checked which meant we could not move in until this was all carried out.
I was told the repairs would be done within two weeks but 4 weeks later the repairs still have not be done and I called today to get an update from the repairs department only to be told the repairs have been cancelled due to no access to the property i.e. they called at the house yesterday but I was not there! - as we do not live there yet I am not at the house (they know this) and they did not call or post a card through the door to let me know they had been.
I asked a neighbour today about the contractors being at the door and she said no one had been there! I put in a complant to the Council today but other than that what else can I do?

nollag2006

Call your local concillor and MP.

Contact Shelter.

Notify the local newspaper / radio station.

The guys in your Local Authority sound like they just want an easy life. Put a bit of heat on them and these matters will be very quickly remedied

G_M

You're lucky being offerred a property + garden in nice area to live in!

OK a few hastles to sort out - speak/write to the council! Once you're in you'll be able to clean/sort out your new home and life will be sweet.

concerned43

Thanks - I did contact shelter and they said to write letter of complaint (which I had already done) I also met with council but they said to take it up with repairs but the problem with repairs is that 1) they are only contactable only by phone 2) they outsource the work to contractors and say its up to the contractors to sort it out 3) they will not give me contractors details. My MP told me to contact local Councellor and Councellor failed to call back! hence why I fed up...council chasing me for rent arrears as I have refused to pay rent until the house is liveable.

G_M

and the electrics had not been checked which meant we could not move in until this was all carried out.

Dis the council tell you this? If so they cannot charge you rent. If not, who? Unless someone has actually condemned the electrics I'd move in, start cleaning, and be there for the contractors!

HellsGranny

I would suggest you write again mentioning local newspaper, Watchdog, and other media shows if you do not get satisfaction fast! Copy the letter to the head of your local council. Make sure the letters go by Recorded Delivery (so they have to be signed for.)

Cheers HG

concerned43

G_M the housing inspector told me about the electrics when he came out to inspect the property. My tenancy agreement states that the electrics would be checked, there would be a gas and electricity supplier + Gas Safety certificate - all done prior to moving in. The house would be clean and walls, ceilings free from flaws. I would post pictures of the state of the property but I can't seem to cut and paste on here.

poppysarah

Ask for a timetable when it will be finished. Until it's yours though you just have to wait.

concerned43

I did ask for a time but they could not tell me, nor could / would they send me a list of repairs.

concerned43

I did ask for a time but they could not tell me, nor could / would they send me a list of repairs.