Great Aunt's HA does not think this is an emergency!

Legacy_user

She is 89 years old and lives in a housing assoc bungalow with other elderly people in neighbouring properties.

Her bungalow entrance is around the back of the estate of 30 or so bungalows. There is a footpath from the main area to a row of three bungalows. She lives in the far end one. The footpath and others in the complex are lit by small lamps which are the HA's property.

Last night, we took her home after having a meal at my parents. None of the footpaths' lights were working. Phoned her this morning and they are still not working. Found the HA name and phone number on the internet. HA are not bothered about the elderly being in the dark and scared of walking down the paths in the dark. Anyone could fall over and break a hip etc.

Is there anything I can do to persuade the HA that this is an emergency?

If it's not fixed by tomorrow, it will be another week before it's fixed.

skylight

Contact your local councillor and ask them for some help quickly. I would also ring the HA again and ask to speak to someone who can make a decision about this. In the meantime, I would recommend getting her a decent torch. It doesn't solve the problem but something is better than nothing.

giraffe69

If you ring them again and they continue to treat it as if it is not important take a name and some care in spelling it correctly and then explain it is so the press will not spell it wrongly. I second the above comment re local councillor.

thesaint

I agree it's not an "emergency".

mummyroysof3

Is this not a security concern too? Burglars more likely to target where they can't be seen entering ?

tbs624

Yes, an HA should have a rolling maintenance schedule for such things but have any of the HA tenants notified the lack of working lights direct to the HA, whether by phone call or (preferably) in writing with copy kept?

If not, back up your own phone call with a letter on behalf of your elderly relative and copy in the local councillor( as mentioned above) if the phone call has not yet elicited some prompt action by the maintenance team. You never know, they may just get it sorted out today.

Building_Surveyor

thesaint wrote: »

I agree it's not an "emergency".

Ditto! I work for a housing association and agree this would not be classed as an emergency.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

It depends on the housing complex to what is set as priority and emergency.


if A OAP complex is in complete darkness at night, then the potential for falls are higher than it would be on a normal HA estate, so the priority should be set higher than that of a normal housing estate, because the complex is more geared to having people with wheelchair,s frames and walking aids, plus low vision or registered blind (not forgetting that you don't need to be completely blind to be registered as blind!!) then lighting is essential to the pathways for the disabled and frail to navigate safely or be able to go out of their own home and be fully independent at night.


I would not class it as an EMERGENCY as such but a HIGH priority.
I would be speaking with the maintenance manager, and stating this is a OAP bungalow complex, not a HA estate, what are the HA'a set repairs priorities and time scales for such things as failed illumination of pathways and access and ask if there is anything that can be done to get the lights working asap.

cavework

Is this estate warden controlled?
ie is there a warden on call?

McKneff

Sorry, but I doubt there are many 89 year olds going out in the dark alone to be honest.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

McKneff wrote: »

Sorry, but I doubt there are many 89 year olds going out in the dark alone to be honest.

my nans in her 80's she's completely independent and goes out on her own. many others go out at night with the company of others.