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Decant...Advice please
londonmale1121
Posts: 2 Newbie
Hey all
First time poster hoping to get some advice. Il give you a little background on our story:
Me and my mum/sister lived in a 3 bedroom flat. Now the property itself was prehistoric, the wiring was old, the boiler was old, the heating system was old.... you get the picture haha,
We have had numerous issues with the property itself (damp, mould, mice infestation, dry rot to name a few) All of which have been reported countless times (we had spent about 9-10 years reporting countless problems) only for them to send some idiots round for a "quick fix" only for the same problem to return a few months later. We even had our front room ceiling fall down on us (while we was sitting in the front room). We have photo evidence of all of these things and they have all been reported with the housing.
After years of pleading to get a move and nothing was done, we decided to go citizens advice and get our local MP involved. Low and behold a few weeks later they had found a suitable 3 bedroom property for us. We pleaded and complained for compensation (due to the 10+ years of negligence they showed to the property, for the stress, and for the countless things that needed to be replaved due to damp and mould and mice infestation). We didnt get any.
They moved us to our current property late september/early october 2014. They said my mum (who is the tenancy holder) would have to keep signing a short "lease" (or something like that) every month or so for the duration of the decant. My mum has signed that ONCE since we have lived here and they have not got in touch with us since to get her to resign.
They confirmed they hadnt started work on the old property until august 2015 (so they left the property empty for nearly a year with no work being done). They have now emailed my mum today and said we can expect to move back in mid october.
This confuses me as i cant imagine they have managed to fix all the issues with the property if work has only started on it in August. There is a damp dingy cellar that needs to be filled in, all the re wiring, new kitchen, bathroom, carpets etc. Their own surveyor that had come out to us at the old property numerous times stated we had dry rot and the mouse infestation was in the walls, so the only way to fix it would be to knock the property down. I know they have not done this as the other 3 tenants (its like a big house split into 4 flats) have not been re housed.
Now the thought of moving back to such a rubbish property is taking its toll on my mum. it is stressing her out and she is becoming very depressed, losing sleep etc. We have become settled at our new place and the thought to be moved back to a property that was that bad is taking its effect. The housing have also failed to keep my mum updated on what work is going to be done on the property and why, and how long it will take.
I was just wondering do any of these things work in our favour and what kind of chance do we have of being able to stay at our current address permanently? Any advice would be great. I know i probably rambled on a bit and its a bit jumbled so if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask.
Hoping someone can shed some light and help me out with some much needed advice on what our best course of action will be and our chances of staying at the new property.
Many thanks
First time poster hoping to get some advice. Il give you a little background on our story:
Me and my mum/sister lived in a 3 bedroom flat. Now the property itself was prehistoric, the wiring was old, the boiler was old, the heating system was old.... you get the picture haha,
We have had numerous issues with the property itself (damp, mould, mice infestation, dry rot to name a few) All of which have been reported countless times (we had spent about 9-10 years reporting countless problems) only for them to send some idiots round for a "quick fix" only for the same problem to return a few months later. We even had our front room ceiling fall down on us (while we was sitting in the front room). We have photo evidence of all of these things and they have all been reported with the housing.
After years of pleading to get a move and nothing was done, we decided to go citizens advice and get our local MP involved. Low and behold a few weeks later they had found a suitable 3 bedroom property for us. We pleaded and complained for compensation (due to the 10+ years of negligence they showed to the property, for the stress, and for the countless things that needed to be replaved due to damp and mould and mice infestation). We didnt get any.
They moved us to our current property late september/early october 2014. They said my mum (who is the tenancy holder) would have to keep signing a short "lease" (or something like that) every month or so for the duration of the decant. My mum has signed that ONCE since we have lived here and they have not got in touch with us since to get her to resign.
They confirmed they hadnt started work on the old property until august 2015 (so they left the property empty for nearly a year with no work being done). They have now emailed my mum today and said we can expect to move back in mid october.
This confuses me as i cant imagine they have managed to fix all the issues with the property if work has only started on it in August. There is a damp dingy cellar that needs to be filled in, all the re wiring, new kitchen, bathroom, carpets etc. Their own surveyor that had come out to us at the old property numerous times stated we had dry rot and the mouse infestation was in the walls, so the only way to fix it would be to knock the property down. I know they have not done this as the other 3 tenants (its like a big house split into 4 flats) have not been re housed.
Now the thought of moving back to such a rubbish property is taking its toll on my mum. it is stressing her out and she is becoming very depressed, losing sleep etc. We have become settled at our new place and the thought to be moved back to a property that was that bad is taking its effect. The housing have also failed to keep my mum updated on what work is going to be done on the property and why, and how long it will take.
I was just wondering do any of these things work in our favour and what kind of chance do we have of being able to stay at our current address permanently? Any advice would be great. I know i probably rambled on a bit and its a bit jumbled so if you have any questions please dont hesitate to ask.
Hoping someone can shed some light and help me out with some much needed advice on what our best course of action will be and our chances of staying at the new property.
Many thanks
0
Comments
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Despite writing a lot of stuff that really isn't relevant you have missed out at least two important factors: who is the landlord (is it the council or a private LL), and what type of tenancy is it?0
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Its with the housing association. I think its a permanent/secure tenancy pal0
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I'm amazed.
So far as I can see, you had a Housing Association property (in itself a great benefit) but which was in poor condition.
Following complaints (albeit protracted) the HA agreed to upgrade the property. Yippee! You should be delighted.
Not only that, but they re-housed you during the process so you did not have to suffer the inconvenience. Again: yippee!
Now the HA proposes you return to your home. This must come as no surprise.
OK - you have concerns about the extent/quality of the renovation. Well, go and take a look! But frankly you cannot expect to be too picky (ie demanding a top-of-the-range kitchen/heating system whatever).
So long as the property is now of a reasonable standard, move back home and send the HA a 'Thank you' note.
If the place is still a building site, politely ask them to finish the work before you move back in again.0 -
Ask the question of your housing officer - it's not unheard of for HAs to let tenants transfer permanently to properties they have been decanted to. If you don't ask you don't get - but be prepared that they may say no. As G_M says go and have a look at what they have done - I think you will find it is more than you think.0
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If they are only refurbishing one property, they could easily do it in a few weeks. Go take a look and see how far they've got. If the workmen are there try talking to them and ask if you can have a look. You may be surprised at the quality of the fittings and how different it looks when it is done. I've recently been decanted too and should move back around now but have opted to stay here instead. This one was already refurbished when I moved in and it is lovely.0
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as an aside - is 'decant' actually a word (other than in the context of boozing)?0
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as an aside - is 'decant' actually a word (other than in the context of boozing)?
Apparently, yes you can decant people but I remember first time I heard the jargon at a Housing Association I did wonder what they were talking about!0 -
I wish somebody would refurbish my property for me and give me somewhere to live whilst it's being done.
Sorry OP, but you seem to show no gratitude for what is being done for you. I don't understand why your Mum is struggling with the thought of going back when you haven't even been to have a look.
If you want to stay where you are, just ask.0 -
The word ingrate springs to mind. No doubt they are members of the 'entitled' brigade :mad:0
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