What does everyone think of this maintenance service

The_Pixi

Yesterday we contacted the out of hours maintenance service to report that a radiator was leaking across the floor. This was attended to around 4pm and from my understanding the water was left to continue leaking until a plumber could come around today.

By around 9pm last night the leak began pouring through the ceiling and fire alarm fitting of the room below and shorted the system out and activated the alarm.

When the maintenance employee arrived his actions have left serious questions as to the safety, professionalism and education of the maintenance staff.

1) Despite being informed there was a leak and alarm problem, he arrived with no tools.
2) He had no knowledge of how the fire alarm system worked and was unable to deactivate it (interestingly we, as tenants, have had no education in how this system operates either)
3) As he inspected the situation he removed the wet alarm from the ceiling and began tugging at the cord as sparks flew. At which point he was told to stop doing that.
4) In order to stop the alarm he removed all the alarm fittings in the property. To do this he:

1. Used our metal kitchen knife to poke into the alrms to remove the covers.
2. In some cases stood on a plastic chair at the top of a staircase and strained to reach the alarm.
3. Pushed the alarm cover off and let them fall to the floor.

5) once the alarm was silenced he was asked to stop the water from leaking. The concern is that it has already affected one electrical system and the water was leaking very close and above the main fuse box and bedroom light fitting, For some reason he began pulling on the wet fire alarm again and pulled a large hole in the ceiling. He was then asked to leave by that rooms tenant.

I was shocked at the level of knowledge displayed, I have e-mailed the letting agent with a email not to dis-similar from this.

What do you think the response would be? anyone else had such shocking Help?

clutton_2

if you do not get a satisfactory response... ie a qualified electrician to assess the damage and repair any problems.... write to the letting agent and say that you will contact Environmental Health as a matter of urgency

BitterAndTwisted

I'd take date and time-stamped photographs of the damage this workman caused for future reference!

Put all of your observations to the LL and agent IN WRITING.

tbs624

Your LL owes you a duty of care- s/he and the LA have to be able to show "due diligence" on things like electrical safety. *Phone* the LA and tell them to get someone qualified round to check the electrics within 24 hours or you will contact the local Council's private sector housing team. Then send a letter (cert of posting obtained) to the LA detailing all that has happened so far. Keep a copy.

Agree with B&T on photos

See this guide to electrical safety from LLzone so that you can quote the relevant legislation

You are entitled to have the name and address of the LL btw - ask your LA *in writing* for this info. they have 21 days from receipt of that written request in which to comply or they will be committing a criminal offence. Alternatively pay 4 quid to the Land registry to download the LLs/owners details from there

The_Pixi

Thanks for the response

As I said I e-mailed the company, this is usually the best and fastest form of communication they preferr, even stating that on the contract. I always have demanded an aknowledgement of the e-mail otherwise I would write.

This is the response

'I can confirm that I have received your mail and thank you for your feedback.
I am investigating the circumstance of yesterdays leak and will reply to you as soon as I have all the information.

Kind regards

zzzz


Maintenance manager'


When I get back from work I will be able to check that the leak has been fixed, Its a sad world but I am wary of kicking up to much fuss as I have been on a statutory rolling contract since Jan 2008, my plans are to stay untill at least next May.



I didnt pay a deposit so I dont want them to force me to sign a new agreement meaning I would have to get one arranged. As you can see on my signature im £300 away from having the money ready in case that happens.