Council Bill for Repair Work

talksr

Good evening,
I have just had my mum call me whilst I am at work in tears over a bill she has just received from the council (her landlord) regarding some repair work they did to her boiler and hot water tank back in August.
The system failed to start and after lots of trying, she called the council in to fix the problem. She was warned she may be charged £45 for the council to come out and fix the job.

A week or so later after fixing the boiler, after the council were in fitting her a new bathroom (as the old one was very old and they were updating all of the local council houses). After they fitted her new bathroom and changed pipes, her hot water tank began to leak. They fixed the work as part of the bathroom refit (which was all free).

Her bill comes to a wapping £216 and includes not only the boiler repair but also charges for fixing the hot water tank.

None of these problems were caused by her and she was never told she would have to pay all of this. She was only ever told she may need to pay £45

Where does she stand on this?
The invoice says she must pay immediately, she can't even afford the oil for the heating let alone this bill.

She has called them repeatedly through out the day and they have promised to get back and have not. I have also tried and their offices are now shut and still no response. She is so stressed about it, I don't know what else I can do for her.

G_M

Respond in writing.

A polite letter pointing out which dates the contractor visits were for 'free' work and why, and which repairs were for previous faulty work.

No need to get worked up - just calmly explain she'll pay the originally quoted £45, and why she does not need to pay the rest.

jude47

Hi Talksr

G_M's quite right, but I'd also go on the council website now and find out the name of your mum's local Councillor, then ring him/her and ask them to look into this for your mum. It's what they're elected to do, and can often produce a faster response than going through the relevant departments. I agree, no need to get worked up at this stage!

talksr

Thanks, both very sensible suggestions. I will do both now, think I will try and contact local councillor first.

Thanks again

mondello

I can't understand why she would be required to pay the £45 either. Is this council policy? I work in repairs at a HA and repairs are not chargable unless it's resident damage or tennant responsibility.

Some good advice already given. Make a note of any contact you have with the council, time of call, name of person etc.. and then set your mum's case in a letter.

McKneff

I dont understand either why she has to pay anything at all, it's a council place and the council should be paying for it.
Thats what she pays her rent for, isn't it.

boo2410

mondello wrote: »

I can't understand why she would be required to pay the £45 either. Is this council policy? I work in repairs at a HA and repairs are not chargable unless it's resident damage or tennant responsibility.

Some good advice already given. Make a note of any contact you have with the council, time of call, name of person etc.. and then set your mum's case in a letter.

I agree, I too work for a HA (which was previously a Council) and the only time tenants are charged is if they damage the property themselves, either accidentally or on purpose. Seems a bit strange to me.

WelshPaul

Council don't charge for repairs or maintenance unless it is damage caused by the tenant?

talksr

Thanks for all of your posts. They are all very useful.

No damage has been caused by her (the tenant). Both of the problems appeared to be general wear and tear although the problem with the hot water tank happened immediately after the new bathroom was fitted and pipes had been altered so it is highly likely the work carried out by the council was the cause there. It says on their invoice that they had to recommission the boiler. Not sure what exactly that means. - Maybe they charge if this sort of work is done?

With regard to the £45 charge, I will have to see if she can dig out her tenancy booklet and see what it actually says regarding this.
Hopefully they will call us back tomorrow and explain how and where the charges have come from.
Needless to say, it has been a lovely Christmas surprise for her. Lets see what they say when they get back in touch, and thanks again for all or your posts and suggestions.

McKneff

If she cant find her t & cs they should be on the website.

Good luck with her, hope she isnt worring too much

poppysarah

If the tank was fitted by her she might have had to agree to maintain it ... But of all the things I could see a tenant installing, a hot water tank wouldn't be one of them.