Living in a housing association property - poor Kitchen and Bathroom, advice please

shonzyd

djh77 wrote: »

Oh, Shonzyd, do you think if I turned around to the HA and said I would pay for them to get their workmen to fit the Kitchen they would do it for me? I am guessing that the HA get it a lot cheaper than I could/would do, so was wondering if I offered to pay for the work to be done, they would arrange it for me?

I know the HA we are going to be with have a policy to change the Kitchen every 20 years and bathroom every 25 years, but as has been said, because he refused to have it done, he/we now have to wait for the next 'scheduled' change.

Possibly yes. It would depend on their recharge policy. Some will only recharge if it is tenant damage. This is classed as an improvement so may not fall under that policy. An also who would then be responsible for the kitchen

In terms of the cost, i wouldnt bank on it being cheaper, in fact most likely not. HA hire contractors to do their work and the contract is awarded for a certain number of years, they dont use one man bands to do their work. The contract overheads are massive so your not just talking about labour and material costs. It would be far cheaper to get it done yourself. It would save you £100s if you were to pay for it by sourcing your own materials and labour.

shonzyd

oh and if you are doing the work yourself check their improvement poliy and make sure you seek written permission first. Some HAs do have a compensation scheme for improvements whereby if you leave the tenancy (by choice not eviction) they will pay a certain % back to you for the improvemens you made (with depreciation factored in) - but obviously you will need to check the policy to ensure you follow the proper process before you make any alterations - and make sure any permission granted is in writing

gayleanne

Just a thought, but is your FIL completely up to day with his rent, as most councils and HA's will not agree to an exchange if the tenant has rent arrears, some even won't agree if there are council tax arrears, and they have to be arrear free for the previous 6 months.

djh77

Yes he is up to date, now! He was behind, but has caught up. We did a mutual exchange about 8 months ago and you just have to be clear from arrears from the moment your exchange paperwork goes in and they wont let you move if you are in arrears. As long as you are free from arrears what has happened before doesnt matter. Council tax etc doesnt come into it.

I think even the arrears part is now under review because of the bedroom tax law.

Kayles86

P.S It's worth noting that bailiffs can not just come in to the house, like vampires they have to be invited. (Not in the way of saying "please come in and take my belongings" but even agreeing they can come in because its cold is enough.) P.P.S 7 years council tax? He should be in the clink

djh77

I know 'normal' baliffs have to gain peacful entry to the properth, but was under the impression that court appointed baliffs could force enty? I am not sure what sort of baliffs they are, I am guessing court appointed.

Yeah, 7 years! We worked it out at about £9000 in owed council tax. And water that has not been paid for nearly 8 years. We are trying to help him sort himself out, but it is difficult. Even simple things like speaking to National debtline or citizens advice is proving impossible. I think really that he is hoping to move and hide from it all.

gayleanne

He will not be able to hide from the debts, if you do a mutual exchange, the council and housing associations will have his new address, Council Tax bailiffs are notorious, they will not give up, nor will the council, he can even be imprisoned for it. Court appointed bailiffs have more rights than ordinary bailiffs.

C_Mababejive

Have the HA agreed to the exchange? They may have another family who needs the bigger house and they may have another property to offer your father?

djh77

Why would another family get involved? We need the house and are prepared to do the exchange, not sure what you are getting at to be honest.

I think he can probably hide from his debts for a while. He has no intention of putting himself on the electrol roll, or informing the council who lives at the property, so I guess it will take them a while to work out who is actually living there. He has no finance, bank account, TV etc for them to tie to him, or the property. But, ultimately, yes you are correct, they will find out eventually.

One kind of last thing, going back onto the subject in hand, the kitchen. Who would the HA say is 'qualified' to fit a kitchen? I have tried to ask them, but the can't really give me a straight answer! We have a family friend who is retired now, but he used to be kind of an odd job handyman - come jack of all trades. He really knows his stuff, he rebuilt my Dad's kitchen when it subsided. He wont touch gas & electric, but we wouldn't need that doing, but he obviously doesn't have a business anymore being retired. Do you think they would object to him doing it?

I spoke to the HA today, about who is qualified etc. One thing the lady I did speak to told me was that when we move in I can immediatley request that the kitchen be done - nobody has told me this before. She did say what happens is that we would go onto an 'add-on' list. They budget each year for x amount of new kitchens. If people, like her Dad has done, turn down the new kitchen they obviously have an excess budget there and they look at other properties, who are not on their yearly rota but on the 'add-on' list, and re-do those. She said obviously she could still not tell me if the kitchen would be done any earlier than 2029 if I went on the add-on list as it would depend on how many people there would be on the list before me and how many people turn down new kitchens, but at least there is a little hope there!

gayleanne

With the actual fitting of the kitchen cupboards, your friend can do it, but when it comes to the gas, electrics, the plumbing they will insist on someone with the proper qualifications. And you will need a certificate from the gas plumber and electrician, that it has been correctly installed.

If your FIL is going to be claiming housing benefit and council tax reductions, they will know where is anyway.