NI Housing Executive

BigAndy_79

Hello Folks,

I am writing to tell of the horrendous level of service I have received from these people in the past number of weeks, and also to ask a little advice as to what you think I should do now, going forward.

Basically, to cut a long story short, I bought a house in April of this year. It turns out that it is a H.E. property. A number of weeks ago I noticed damp patches on the roof of our bedroom. My girlfriend's brother-in-law inspected it and thought it to be due to a loose tile on the roof, or perhaps due to the SKY tv cable. I decided to call the H.E. as I was informed that they look after the Buildings insurance for the property. This is where the absolute nightmare begins.

Now I am obviously reluctant to write an essay here as I am absolutely both physically and mentally enhausted and sick of this whole situation, so I will attempt to make it as short as poss.

I have called these people time and time again regarding this problem I have and they insist they will either get it sorted, call me back, or get someone to look into it. Have they ? No. My girlfriend actually called them as well. She was told they would "absolutely, without question, call her back with a time that they would call round." Did they ? No. This has been going on for several weeks and I am totally bemused that there is a company in this world that is as bad as these people. I am horrified by the whole thing, and it has now got to the point that I am unable to get very good sleep with the dampness in the room. My girlfriend is now sleeping in the living room and it is putting a huge strain on our relationship and our health. I have a really, really bad cold, and her asthema is very bad at this time. Much of the paint on the ceiling has peeled off with the dampness coming through - the whole thing is a huge, huge worry, and I have now got massive regrets about buying the house due to this happening and nothing being done about it.

In recent times I got speaking to an Assistant Manager and his attitude was absolutely shocking. No apologies, used bully-boy tatics and was aggressive and non-empathetic. He attitude really did beggar belief, to be quite honest.

Anyway, I wrote a email detailing my ordeal and was informed it would be passed to the district manager, though like every other promise, nothing has happened regarding that.

Last night I wrote another email to them, making my true feelings known regarding the whole nightmare. I am not holding my breath for a response to that, either. Since then I have received an invoice for "Service Charges." It really doesn't get any more sick than that.

What I would like to get is a little bit of advice as to what you think I should do now regarding this. I have gone round in circles for weeks and find it incredible and shocking that barely anyone whom I have spoken to have actually responded to callbacks, etc., etc. (I say "hardly anyone" as one less than enthusiastic person called me back and gave me a number.) When I thought I was getting somewhere with this whole thing, that number asked me to type in my pager number. Again, useless.

I really don't see who else I can discuss this with outside of a District Manager who has yet to get back to me. I am wanting to review what monies they ask me for and if possible cancel anything I can.

I appreciate you reading this, folks. Anyone who works for the Housing Association and values their job and does it well, then to you I apologise. I hope that you understand my frustration and anger due to what I have encountered.

Thank you.

niceday999

you need to speak with the area managerwhich is the District managers manager ........pm me which office it is and i'll try and help you ....

harmony10

'Basically, to cut a long story short, I bought a house in April of this year.'

Hi
did you buy the house in April? Surely the Housing Executive is only responsible for properties it still owns? Once you buy the property are you not responsible for the buildings insurance and any repairs yourself

Witless

BigAndy_79 wrote: »

Hello Folks,
I bought a house in April of this year. It turns out that it is a H.E. property.

Please don't take this the wrong way (I'm confused) - why or how are the HE liable? I know you say -

BigAndy_79 wrote: »

I was informed that they look after the Buildings insurance for the property

Do you not have your own insurance through your mortgage?

Pennylane

I'm puzzled about this too. Please come back and put us in the picture OP.

dmxdave

If it was me I would pay for the repair and argue the toss afterwards. It may not be covered by insurance if storm damage and certainly not if it is the sky cable.

x12yhp

Ditto to the sentiments - if you own it, you should be insuring it. Perhaps I am missing something important.

I would also agree with others, if it is causing so much trouble, just bite the bullet and get it done yourself. If someone else is liable, chase them later. Is it really worth risking both your health and relationship just to try and make sure you are not out of pocket?

screwedagain

Hi there,

Is the property a flat? I know someone who bought an ex HE flat, and I believe the arrangement is that the HE are responsible for insurance and maintenance of the building structure (the other flats are still HE properties) and communal areas, so this kind of arrangement does exist.

I do agree with others though OP in that you should get the work done yourself; the longer you leave it'll just get worse and more expensive to fix. At least then you'll have a clearer frame of mind to chase the HE afterwards for compensation etc.

Good luck!

niceday999

harmony10 wrote: »

'Basically, to cut a long story short, I bought a house in April of this year.'

Hi
did you buy the house in April? Surely the Housing Executive is only responsible for properties it still owns? Once you buy the property are you not responsible for the buildings insurance and any repairs yourself

not so...the NIHE are responsible for the exterior of the property and also if an apartment or maisonette the exterior walls of the property.........

BigAndy_79

Hi All,

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply back to me.

When completing the purchase, my solicitor told me that I did not need Buildings Insurance. I then took this that the HE were solely responsible for anything like the situation that I have experienced.

Anyway, I have now since used the Home Emergency Cover on my bank account and they are due to come round to hopefully sort it today.

x12yhp

Good luck with them Andy!