Social fitted accessible shower for elderly dad - whos responsible for repairs?

[Deleted User]

A few years ago Social services fitted an accessible shower for my disabled father.

He lives in accomodation where he part-owns the property. i.e pays rent for part. When he had the shower fitted basically he just asked the landlords (a housing association) permission to do this.

Trouble is now the shower is leaking, causing water damage and needs looking at.

Housing association have been ok. To be fair, they didnt fit it so they cant really repair it for free. Insurance company, Im guesing will only pay for the water damage? (although will they pay for work to remove ceiling to take a look at it?)

Alternatively, should I contact social services since they were the ones who installed it in the first place?

To be honest, not really sure in general how this all works?

missbiggles1

Why not just go round and mend it for him?

[Deleted User]

If I was a plumber/builder I guess I could. Not that simple really is it?

tomtontom

[quote=[Deleted User];66269147]If I was a plumber/builder I guess I could. Not that simple really is it?[/QUOTE]

Do you have a phone? If so I'd suggest you call one of the above.

[Deleted User]

Its a sealed floor so no way of accessing the drain from above without ripping it all up.

Its leaking into the kitchen below, so at some point part of the ceiling going to have to come down to be repaired anyway. Also, been told this is the best option to take a look at where the water is coming from i.e. from underneath.

So, at some point we're going to need a builder to remove the ceiling, a plumber to take a look at the pipework, possibly an electrician (apparently the waste water utilises a pump which may be part of the problem). then a Builder/plaster to repair the ceiling.

As you can see, not so easy for a non-professional.

[Deleted User]

Usual stupid comments on this forum I see.

If you'd bothered to read the original question, I wasn't discussing which sort of professional should perform the repairs I was asking if anyone had been in a similar position and had knowledge of how it all worked with regards to responsibility.

BrassicWoman

Why not just phone social services as they can only say no, and then you will know instead of guessing?

tomtontom

[quote=[Deleted User];66269196]Usual stupid comments on this forum I see.

If you'd bothered to read the original question, I wasn't discussing which sort of professional should perform the repairs I was asking if anyone had been in a similar position and had knowledge of how it all worked with regards to responsibility.[/QUOTE]

Unless you can prove that the shower was inherently faulty, then it is your father's responsibility to resolve the fault.

[Deleted User]

Waiting for Social to phone me back.

Difficult to say what the problem is of course. With pipes it could be anything from wear and tear to incorrect fitting I guess. Also, if its a pump problem its been about 2 years now so it could fail.

Cost wont be an issue because ultimately I'll pay but, if its true that social wont repair it where does that leave people who genuinelly cant afford to have it repaired?

Its not a luxury item - its a shower. Without it he cant wash. Would social services really say, ok we paid for this years ago so you could live independently, its broken now you've got to cough up, oh you cant afford it, oh well you'll have to do without then, hard luck?

jaylee3

[quote=[Deleted User];66269304]Waiting for Social to phone me back.

Difficult to say what the problem is of course. With pipes it could be anything from wear and tear to incorrect fitting I guess. Also, if its a pump problem its been about 2 years now so it could fail.

Cost wont be an issue because ultimately I'll pay but, if its true that social wont repair it where does that leave people who genuinelly cant afford to have it repaired?

Its not a luxury item - its a shower. Without it he cant wash. Would social services really say, ok we paid for this years ago so you could live independently, its broken now you've got to cough up, oh you cant afford it, oh well you'll have to do without then, hard luck?[/QUOTE]

If they fitted it Paul, I am sure they will fix it. I don't know why people come up with stuff like 'fix it yerself!' There are some pedantic folk about, Not every man is capable of doing electrics and plumbing! My OH can't do it. And he wouldn't.

Hope he it fixed soon. Before the weekend. Poor man.

FWIW, I am not elderly or disabled, and I wouldn't wanna go without MY shower!

InsideInsurance

If it is a part ownership with the HA then there should be a contract with them and that will define whos responsible for maintenance of the property and its fixtures.

To people who fully own their properties and can no longer afford to maintain them then the normal course of action is to sell the property or have an equity release product. Unfortunately not everyone can always afford to stay in the property they'd like to, especially as they get older and traditionally their income reduces.

If SS will assist under their care in the community type action I have no idea so wont comment on.