Parent's having issues with council repairs and temp move.

drbluebox

They are both in mid 60's with health conditions living in a cottage with damp, woodworm and other issues and have been heavily messed around for years.

They managed to get the council to agree to fix the woodworm problem by moving them out for a week but with other repairs keep messing them around such as fixing mould in kitchen partly due to a messed up extractor fan installation years ago that they refused to repair so it was unusable.

Parents were up every day for 11 days straight at 7am for repairmen for various things who made excuses like they couldnt do something like repair something in loft due to health and safety and expecting my pensioner father with health problems to go up ladder to loft, and a few times said the repair was booked wrong so they couldnt even start and had to come back another day, then claiming another time the property had asbestos despite a seperate council visit a few years ago confirming there was none to finally putting up a new fan but leaving wall damaged and also unpainted and telling my dad its his own responsibility to paint and plaster around it.

They have been told they have to pack up the entire property themselves as removal firm cant do it or go in loft due to health and safety despite the removal firms own website saying they pack everything for you as standard etc, and the council staff saying "why cant you get a friend or family member to do your packing for you" and despite the move out being like 10 days away they havent been given boxes to pack, or told where they will be staying (so likely they will either do it last minute or cancel as happened so many times before)

Its in Scotland not sure exactly how it works its a council property that lets a private housing association do the admin or whatever they do

Some of the other issues they have experienced is such as putting in a gas system that was so badly installed it leaked and put my parents health at risk, they did give my parents like £100 but not even a proper apology

My parents generally know their rights as both bright people who went to university but theres only so much they can do, they worry about things like the carpet being destroyed and wallpaper destroyed and even if they get a payout to cover it they would have to do it themselves.

It is a bad council though, had my own issues with them over the years when I lived there such as "losing" benefit claims and snotty staff, being accused of not paying council tax when I did etc or when at university full time they charged full council tax and when asked for a refund refusing to do it just "crediting" the account when it was exempt anyway.

duchy

Can you not take a couple of days holiday and help them pack ?

drbluebox

duchy wrote: »

Can you not take a couple of days holiday and help them pack ?

I don't drive, and I am autistic so get confused easily plus they live out of town so only a few buses a day etc.

It's not as much as I can't but would struggle.

duchy

drbluebox wrote: »

I don't drive, and I am autistic so get confused easily plus they live out of town so only a few buses a day etc.

It's not as much as I can't but would struggle.

My son's autistic too but if your parent's health isn't good they could direct and you do the lifting and carrying.

Even if there's only a few buses a day - you only need two- one to get there and one to come home. You must visit them sometimes after all.

Sometimes we do have to put ourselves out a bit for our parents - as they probably did for you when you were a child. It's what families do for each other

FBaby

What would they do if it wasn't a council house? It's not because it is so that it means they have no responsibilities whatsoever in relation to the property. If they were in private rental, who would pack for them? Certainly not the landlord!

theartfullodger

They should do 2 things...

a) 'phone Shelter Scotland 0808 800 4444: They are the experts in housing matters including council tenancies.
b) They should follow the documented council tenancy complaint process: In writing: They must write TODAY (keep copy).

drbluebox

duchy wrote: »

My son's autistic too but if your parent's health isn't good they could direct and you do the lifting and carrying.

Even if there's only a few buses a day - you only need two- one to get there and one to come home. You must visit them sometimes after all.

Sometimes we do have to put ourselves out a bit for our parents - as they probably did for you when you were a child. It's what families do for each other

You haven't understood its not just distance, nor even the fact buses run but put it this way if I got a bus the second I went to the nearest bus stop to my house, then changed to the main bus to parents town, then walked literally off that and onto another at the very least 4 hours travel its why I only visit 2 or 3 times a year, and until I lived in current address it would of been at least 5 hours journey but in reality its far worse as its like 1-2 hours wait for connection to parents as is then after travelling I am basically useless for a day or two afterwards as get not just confused but spaced out imagine someone slurring their speech and walking into furniture thats how bad I get its why when I work its local.

theartfullodger wrote: »

They should do 2 things...

b) They should follow the documented council tenancy complaint process: In writing: They must write TODAY (keep copy).

Already done, my parents are good at writing letters but the council either ignores them or makes promises they never keep, after the upteempth time of not repairing the kitchen and getting told by the workmen its nothing to do with them and they only do what they are told, a few complaints and the workmen did apologise but still had multiple screw ups, if my parents never did written complaints they wouldnt of even had their rotting floorboards in the property replaced as even after multiple complaints they were told they were perfectly fine even when the inspector broke a floorboard testing it with his foot. even then though they made excuses about the cost.

Its just been farcical over the years.

FBaby wrote: »

What would they do if it wasn't a council house? It's not because it is so that it means they have no responsibilities whatsoever in relation to the property. If they were in private rental, who would pack for them? Certainly not the landlord!

That isn't the issue, its that its repair work that specifically means they have to move out and the situation only became bad as the LL/Council has been putting off repairs for years so the situation skyrocketed so they have to as pensioners pack up a lot of stuff.

And the attitude of the council who outright said they were doing my parents a favour for even doing repairs.

But until my parents complained before they wanted them to move heavy furniture on their own and even if my parents werent pensioners they have health problems meaning its actually as much as life threatening to do so, the council knows all this.

My parents didnt have too much issue packing smaller things but they havent even been told when they were getting the boxes, they also have nowhere to store the boxes and bear in mind the house has huge damp in it that even if they found somewhere it would likely get soaked.

[Deleted User]

Boxes can easily be ordered online from Ebay. I did it. I have heart problems, back problems, ashthma and diabetes and have packed the house completely on my own, whilst caring for 2 children with ASD, both of them have toileting problems because of stress lately (requiring a visit to the GP). One of whom hears voices lately because he's so stressed. Over the weekend I had two serious hypos in 24 hours, I still carried on packing as soon as I was able. I have bailiffs coming round 10.30 tomorrow, woke up to find my card had been cloned so no money because my card has now been blocked (and no address to send a replacement to til 3pm tomorrow). After asking many times, I've just been told my autistic son and I are supposed to walk the streets from 10.30 to 3.30 when we can go to housing. When I explained about my son's autism (doesn't like loud unfamiliar busy places), they just told me to sit in the cafe with him which is busy and crowded and unfamiliar). I'm typing this in a brief break while I have something to eat. I've been packing for six weeks with no idea at first when I was going to be evicted. I just did what I could.

It doesn't matter what happens, if your parents want the repairs done, they have to find a way. Otherwise their stuff gets damaged or the repair men walk away yet again.

Started with non essentials and worked my through it. It gets less complicated as you move through it. It has at times had me going cloudy brained (I am being assessed for autism too) but I rest, and carry on. Otherwise they are going to have their stuff damaged. If they can't manage to start packing stuff into boxes how do they manage in their daily lives? Do a bit, rest, do a bit, rest. Its what I do and sometimes I'm in real pain, breathless because of the asthma and dealing with the kids who need constant care regardless of what I am doing or how I am feeling.

I am sorry, but there really is no choice. Councils do not have packing staff. A friendly man with a van might have a mate who will work for a daily rate.

I could sit there feeling like its all unfair and no one is helping (the council are unbelievable, I wasn't rude but I did get a bit shrill to be told I had to wander the streets til 3.30 with my older son, and instead of understanding how difficult this is, i just got told off for shouting lol) but if I want to keep my stuff, I have to pack it. Its in my interests to do it, no one else cares. I do.

You could try Age Uk, perhaps they might have some ideas.

duchy

drbluebox wrote: »

You haven't understood its not just distance, nor even the fact buses run but put it this way if I got a bus the second I went to the nearest bus stop to my house, then changed to the main bus to parents town, then walked literally off that and onto another at the very least 4 hours travel its why I only visit 2 or 3 times a year, and until I lived in current address it would of been at least 5 hours journey but in reality its far worse as its like 1-2 hours wait for connection to parents as is then after travelling I am basically useless for a day or two afterwards as get not just confused but spaced out imagine someone slurring their speech and walking into furniture thats how bad I get its why when I work its local.



.

So stay a few days to help them.
If their own son isn't prepared to even try to help them why should anyone else ?

Sorry but I deal with autism in an adult on a daily basis - If you are motivated to help them then you'll find a way -if you aren't you'll find a multitude of excuses.

G_M

wish somone would come and fix my house for me for free....!

Hire a man + van to pack stuff up and remove?

http://www.anyvan.com/av/anyvan-man-and-van-uk?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MAN--MAN%20AND%20VAN%20%28Generic%29&utm_term=man%20and%20van&utm_content=MAN%20AND%20VAN-GENERIC

theartfullodger

drbluebox wrote: »

.....Already done, my parents are good at writing letters but the council either ignores them or makes promises they never keep,.....

Very good but are they

....following the documented council tenancy complaint process: In writing:

Have they 'phoned Shelter Scotland for advice??


Slàinte mhath!