council house improvements

seven-day-weekend

I don't have an upstairs bathroom in my house that I own (and no room to fit one).

I'm not disputing the fact that Council House repairs/renovations take ages, but you DO have an assured tenancy, you can't be chucked out unless under the most dire circumstances (whereas a private tenant only has to have two months notice, and a house-owner with a mortgage can have their house repossessed), you have the right to buy at less than market value.....

There ARE perks as well as disadvantages.

I would get on to your local Housing Office and a try to see if it can be brought forward as it is still the original 1940s kitchen and doesn't come up to today's standards.

kez1234

people came last week and designed ours coming back april/may to fit it they have started over the road,

viktory

The decent homes standard comes into force in 2010. Therefore your council has until that year to ensure all their properties are up to the standard required.

I can understand your frustration, but I work for a local HA and hear this complaining all the time "My neighbours having X, Y & Z and it's not fair". Sadly, councils and HA's don't have a bottomless pit of money and have to prioritise accordingly. Those in most need take precedence.

I totally disagree with the suggestion that you make a fuss and shout. Believe me, you'll get nowhere like that (except pushed further down the list). If the kitchen really is that bad, then politely call the council, explain your problem and request that a surveyor carries out a further inspection (I am assuming you have already had a stock condition survey). If the kitchen is that bad they may put you further up the list.

Incidentally, you might find it useful to know that life span of kitchen etc...Kitchens are supposed to last 20 years, bathrooms 30 years, GCH 15 years and windows (UPVC) 40 years.

Finally, it might also be helpful to know that when our stock condition surveys are carried out we sometimes have to guesstimate when the original kitchen, bathroom etc was fitted and gauge it on how well they have been cared for. The decides when they will be renewed.

viktory

The dreaded double post.

SmileyHappyBeing

Thanks viktory

Apparently my estate officer has left so have sent an email trying to find out who my new one is, would it be best to get her or an actual surveyor out, would i just ring up the reception and ask for a surveryor for this reason..

thanks again

viktory

SmileyHappyBeing wrote:

Thanks viktory

Apparently my estate officer has left so have sent an email trying to find out who my new one is, would it be best to get her or an actual surveyor out, would i just ring up the reception and ask for a surveryor for this reason..

thanks again

Personally, I would call and ask to speak to the repairs department, explain the problem with the kitchen and ask for a surveyor to attend. An order for a pre-inspection should be raised (unless it works very differently through your LA). Request the pre-inspection number (might also be called a repairs number/order number, whatever). Also get the name of the person/s you speak to (useful if the repair request goes missing :rolleyes: ) You should be given a date for the inspection.

I would then ask who my housing officer is and become his/her friend! Housing Officers can be invaluable sources of information and support when it comes to all matters housing, such as repairs, transfers etc and will fiercely fight their tenants corner. Much better to have them on side.

SmileyHappyBeing

Yeah shame that my h.officer left, she was really helpfull when i moved in, oh well, maybe i l get lucky again :rolleyes:

Well at least ive got a plan now and can try and do something about it, if i dont get anywhere then i cant say i didnt try, thanks for that advice viktory, really helpfull

viktory

Glad I could help Keep us posted.

viktory

Anthillmob wrote:

also, i found out that day that the repair medn have 'skeleton' keys to open any door in your house :eek:

Ant, that is dreadful. No one should have keys to your house, except you (and whomever you choose to give keys to). I would certainly be questioning this policy and if I had no decent explanation then I would be changing locks asap. Bloody hell, what if the keys fall into the wrong hands?

Re your repair - you certainly shouldn't have to have fought for a door that locks securely. It is most definately an emergency repair and should have been treated as such.

Councils these days are still very backward when it comes to repairs - my findings (based on having been a tenant of both LA and HA and having worked in the repairs department of both) is that HA's generally take better care of their properties. Sadly though, there are always exceptions to this.

The key to getting lots of repair work done is to keep on eye on them closely. Every HA and LA has an audit, carried out by an outside body to ensure that the HA or LA are providing a decent service. They are graded with stars from no stars to 3 stars. Audit commisioners always talk to residents and the HA/LA will be bending over backwards to please their tenants during this period (usually last 4 months from the date of the impending inspection to the actual inspection itself). During this period HA/LA's will give most repairs requested, in an effort to please the resident and the audit commission.

Check your landlords website - there should be details on their as to whether an audit was done recently. Plus, lots of activity from the landlord, ie, tenant audit panels and forums are a good indicator.

Oh and try and get on the board of directors (most HA's have a board of directors that usually have a couple of their residents on the panel). An excellent way of keeping your ear to the ground and a lever for any repairs that are being slow to be carried out.

It's all politics, baby!

Anthillmob

one night our hallway radioator started p1ssing boilig hot water and flooded the hallway and the emergency out of hours people were very unhappy in sending someone round. mr mob tried to turn the rad off but the 'threading' has gone in the knob that allowed you to turn the rad off.