Absolutely FUMING at my local council - UNBELIEVABLY bad treatment

Errata

Kitty, this is a rotten situation and sadly not unique. What I would do in your shoes is:
Take photos, lots, of all stages of work
If dad has the flu, make sure he consults a doctor so there's a medical record
Start a formal complaints procedure with the council
Start a formal complaints procedure with the local gov. ombudsman
Speak to all the ward councillors in the ward your Dad lives in
Write to the councillor with the lead on housing
Copy the letter to the Leader of the Council
Write up everything that's happened against the date/time it happened and keep writing it up until a resolution is arrived at

iwanttosave_2

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=381764

We were left with no kitchen for 9 weeks, that means no kitchen tops, no sink, no cupboards, we had to use the washing machine to prepair food on.

Bathroom was taken back to bare brick and floorboards for 6 weeks, I also got electrocuted many times off my bath, so that was unusable for ages before they did something. No heating for 2 and a half weeks while they installed the boiler, new fire and rads.

We were left with a massive hole in the kitchen wall where the brickie had started knocking out and got it wrong. Pretty much most of our things were broken, we had to buy a new kettle (builder knocked it off) toaster (same) pots broken from being in boxes for 9 weeks ect.

Other than whats in the advice in thread above, if he isn't willing to move out then there isn't much he can do.

When they were doing ours (ours still isn't finished, but we said we would do it ourselves) they were supposed to be moving us out, but they couldn't find enough properties to house everyone, but if there were any elderly or vunerable people then they did give them the option to move out.

changkra

advent1122 wrote: »

I dont think the Military Police will get involved.

growingafamily

Make sure you document (with photos if necessary) any problema and discrepencies with the work.
When we were in our council flat, we were being re-wired and having a new bathroom put in.
They didn't provide anywhere for us to stay (my son, 3 months old at the time, has very bad asthma) - but luckily we could stay with friends.
The builders ruined our flat - it was in such a terrible state - similar to what has been described here.
They left the power off and our freezer totally defrosted but as we weren't staying there we didn't know. The first thing we knew about it was when we went to collect our mail and the locks had been changed.
Apparently a leak had appeared on our downstairs neighbours ceiling (it was the stinking meat juices), he called the council who broke our locks to get in.
They left a key for our flat with him and told him to give it to us when he saw us.
Not only that but we were so rudely treated we made a complaint and the housing officer came round.
We made a claim with the builders insurance (they also broke our bed) and received compensation for our losses.
We also received money to get the flat back to the way it was before they ruined it.
Make sure you document EVERYTHING.
ANd good luck, I hope things get better for your dad and his neighbours soon.

grannybroon

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad's problem. He should not be having this at his time in life. Pursue the cooker damage by the workmen - unacceptable.

Other that this can only suport you and hope your Dad OK.

GB

maninthestreet

Name and shame this MP.

foreversomeday

Don't just threaten to go to his local press - go to them. Type the name of the newspaper into google and you'll usually find some kind of contact details. They love stories like this and hpefully you'll actually get the council's attention that way.

novelli

I totally agree with above poster, go to the press immediately!! This is apalling. Your local press will take up the story i am sure, so ring them. :mad:

Primrose

I've found that "naming & shaming" sometimes has a good effect. I suspect that the builders working on your father's bungalow were simply contractors employed by the local Council and my experiences is that many of them give very slip shod performance. Contact one of the journalists at the local papers operating in your father's area and tell them the story. The July & August holiday period is a quiet period for news so they will probably be delighted to have a story. I would also contact your father's local councillors (his library will have a current list of names & phone numbers). When he is finally sorted out, I would also write a formal letter of complaint on his behalf to the Chief Executive of the Council as these contractors may be giving equally shoddy service to others, in which case they should be removed from future tendering processes.

Poppy9

Which council is it? Each Local Authority should have it's own website with email addresses of all councillors and Chief Executive and Directors. When you email them CC a reporter from a local rag (look on the newspaper website and you should see reporters email addresses). You can also email Gordon Brown. Do a google for Prime Minsters email address. I did it and had a response!