Council have damaged my roof, what should I do ?

Eccypop

Hi All,

Was looking for some advice please. I bought an ex council house and have lived here for 1 Year. Everything was fine until last week. My neighbour who is a council tenant has had a new roof and mine has been damaged in the process. My ridge tile was that connected the two properties was about 10 inches higher than the rest, so I asked them to fix it and they just sawed the tile in half.

The neighbours roof is higher so to connect the tiles they have lifted the first row of tiles and angled them down towards my roof. If looks like a gingerbread roof !! I also have numerous loose tiles . I called Adactus last week who are the social housing company and the site manager keeps fobbing me off.Don't think it's fair my perfectly good roof has to be moved and look out of place so a tenant house looks pristine. I get on perfectly well with my neighbour and even she says my side looks rough .I'm worried it has left mine un water tight because of the poor workmanship. Supposedly they have got a surveyor to sign it off who handily works for Aductus. Have spoke to Head of Operations who says the site manager will sort it. Please can someone advise me please

missile

I would take some photos, get a quotation from an independent contractor, then see my solicitor. Most give an initial consultation for free. Even if you end up paying for them to send a letter or two to the council, it could be money well spent.

llandyrnog

A quick look on the Adactus website, on the information page gives the details of their complaints procedure. Write to the Operations Manager giving details of your complaint and that you are unhappy with their initial response to your verbal complaint. Give them a reasonable time scale to respond to you, say 5 working days and tell them that if you are not satisfied with their written answer to your complaint that you will escalate the complaint to the Housing Ombudsman Service.

gibson123

If you don't get any quick results go to your local Council's surgery, start the conversation with - I voted for you at the last election so I know you will help me (even if it's not true) then tell him/her the problem.

Eccypop

Thank for your help it is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately the Housing Ombundsman can't do anything for me. Because I am not a tenant and own my property. The Adactus Site Manager said he would get the damage corrected. I have come home today to just see the ridge tile mended but still tiles unconnected and lose. Luckily I took pictures before they did the work and after. The difference to my roof is sickening they have just literally wedged all my tiles up to next doors with gaps everywhere.

The Site Manager said the roof had been inspected yesterday and passed. Which is a complete lie as I asked the Programme Co-ordinator said he is scheduled to come next Wednesday. The problem lies with Site Manager, he is simply a liar . The Senior Co-ordinatior is having a meeting with him Monday and basically said he is taking th !!!! ! Decided to go straight to Chief Excecutive with pictures and full details and then start the legal wheels in motion. The bottom line is as long as the house they were working on was fine, then mine didn't matter. Just lost my mum just don't this at the moment.

Thank You all once again

gibson123

Quick footnote, if you have legal cover on your house insurance get them involved!

Fire_Fox

Put your complaint into writing, follow their in house complaints procedure. They are much less likely to lie in a written response.

olly300

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Put your complaint into writing, follow their in house complaints procedure. They are much less likely to lie in a written response.

They won't lie in a written response they will just carefully omit details. Unfortunately all companies and organisations do it so you need to be prepared to take it further.