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

carefullycautious

Maybe it is time they thought about downsizing to a smaller more manageable property.


If they have not been coping for some time it would solve a lot of problems


Could they more nearer to you which would allow you to visit and help out if needed?

drbluebox

duchy wrote: »

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.

Doesn't make you an expert though and no offense meant by that, you never took into account things like mental health problems which make it more difficult, if I lived local it would be no problem but I get confused to the point of not being all there and taking a few days to recover when going on long journeys made far worse with mental health problems.

I get so bad I slur my speech as if I am heavily drunk, have been stopped by the police before as they assumed I was on drugs and do things like walk into a busy road as so far gone.

G_M wrote: »

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

Its not for free else every tenant who needs repairs regardless of a landlords fault would be considered getting free repairs.

The damage is from the council making multiple promises over the years to repair things like rot and black mould and never doing it so it has reached a point where they have to, I mean its only a few years ago a inspector tested a floorboard in one room and when doing so it rotted and snapped, even then they only repaired that small area around the broken floorboard not the whole room and such issues like leaking gas from a new fireplace due to a bodged up isntallation then different departments arguing with each other over who is respobsible so whilst happening didnt repair it.

theartfullodger wrote: »

Very good but are they

Yes following all official procedures, father is no slouch on knowing his rights and he is bright, the only reason they fixed the black mould in kitchen is because after multiple complaints he went above their heads but even then council was snotty but even with that they have a habit of excuses and finding some "fault" to not do the work, they have even in the past claimed the road was flooded and parents rang all day to be told they are on the way(not that they werent coming) then at end of day being told the job was cancelled in morning and they were misinformed/misunderstood basically passing on the blame between council and contractors or making out parents were lying.

carefullycautious wrote: »

Maybe it is time they thought about downsizing to a smaller more manageable property.

If they have not been coping for some time it would solve a lot of problems

They cope with the property fine, and its a small property anyway my last 1 bedroom flat was bigger than their cottage to bring it into perspective, both are hard workers (mum is ocd and hoovers and cleans multiple times a day)

I think people have the wrong end of the stick here, they have no issue packing personal items but the council wants them to move heavy furniture themselves, and go into a loft themselves and since the property is small theres no room to pack without help but for one my father has a severe hernia and thats the least of his problems, his health is so bad he is in agony walking for more than a few minutes, has arthritis and other issues, my mothers are less severe but she still has them.

GwylimT

Why aren't they booking a removal firm themselves to pack and store their belongings? Why on earth should the council supply them with boxes?

marksoton

Come on pal,at some point your parents and or you need to do a bit to help yourselves.

Whether that be doing it yourself or employing someone to do it for you.

The council aren't an all encompassing service at your parents beck and call.

drbluebox

marksoton wrote: »

Come on pal,at some point your parents and or you need to do a bit to help yourselves.

Whether that be doing it yourself or employing someone to do it for you.

The council aren't an all encompassing service at your parents beck and call.

Who said they were? But if they did their job in the first place none of this would of ever happened, why are people standing up for a council that has dodged their responsibilities hundreds of times over the years then acting like my parents are the ones with the problem.

Let me be clear, my parents dont mind packing for themselves for thet most part but need help with specific things which the council acts like they should be grateful for even getting ESSENTIAL repairs done in the first place, the house has reached the point where its legally not safe to live in (how they are even still living there is beyond me) or do you think walking through things like a hallway and feet going through floorboards is acceptable? Do you think its acceptable that they want pensioners to move things like washing machine into a lorry themselves? Even more so when their own website outright says they PACK EVERYTHING FOR YOU.

GwylimT wrote: »

Why aren't they booking a removal firm themselves to pack and store their belongings? Why on earth should the council supply them with boxes?

Where pray tell can they magic up the funds needed for such a thing when both have no savings due to ill health? Since its the councils own incompetence that means they even have to move out why are you defending them? If they did the repairs they were meant to then they wouldnt of needed to be moved out, I suppose you think damp so bad that floorboards are rotting is acceptable? And the damp isnt due to parents not having heating on or anything its down to the sad state of the property they were rented in the first place.

Mojisola

drbluebox wrote: »

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.

drbluebox wrote: »

They cope with the property fine

I can't believe anyone enjoys living in a house that has so many problems.

GwylimT

It isn't the councils fault they haven't got any savings, it also isn't compulsory to live in council housing. So like any other adult they either need to take responsibilty and pack the house up and return, or move into a private rental.

If they aren't able to sort something so simple themselves maybe its time to move into supported housing, or you need to ensure you can help your own parents on a regular basis.

marksoton

drbluebox wrote: »

Who said they were? But if they did their job in the first place none of this would of ever happened, why are people standing up for a council that has dodged their responsibilities hundreds of times over the years then acting like my parents are the ones with the problem.Well they are,they are the ones who live there...

Let me be clear, my parents dont mind packing for themselves for thet most part but need help with specific things which the council acts like they should be grateful for even getting ESSENTIAL repairs done in the first place, the house has reached the point where its legally not safe to live in Then take appropriate steps and complain.. (how they are even still living there is beyond me) or do you think walking through things like a hallway and feet going through floorboards is acceptable? Do you think its acceptable that they want pensioners to move things like washing machine into a lorry themselves? Even more so when their own website outright says they PACK EVERYTHING FOR YOU. Which council? Please specify...

You expected the council to even provide boxes, every post you've abdicated all responsibility. So come on,name and shame the council if they're that bad...

SnooksNJ

drbluebox wrote: »

Doesn't make you an expert though and no offense meant by that, you never took into account things like mental health problems which make it more difficult, if I lived local it would be no problem but I get confused to the point of not being all there and taking a few days to recover when going on long journeys made far worse with mental health problems.

I get so bad I slur my speech as if I am heavily drunk, have been stopped by the police before as they assumed I was on drugs and do things like walk into a busy road as so far gone.


Its not for free else every tenant who needs repairs regardless of a landlords fault would be considered getting free repairs.

The damage is from the council making multiple promises over the years to repair things like rot and black mould and never doing it so it has reached a point where they have to, I mean its only a few years ago a inspector tested a floorboard in one room and when doing so it rotted and snapped, even then they only repaired that small area around the broken floorboard not the whole room and such issues like leaking gas from a new fireplace due to a bodged up isntallation then different departments arguing with each other over who is respobsible so whilst happening didnt repair it.


Yes following all official procedures, father is no slouch on knowing his rights and he is bright, the only reason they fixed the black mould in kitchen is because after multiple complaints he went above their heads but even then council was snotty but even with that they have a habit of excuses and finding some "fault" to not do the work, they have even in the past claimed the road was flooded and parents rang all day to be told they are on the way(not that they werent coming) then at end of day being told the job was cancelled in morning and they were misinformed/misunderstood basically passing on the blame between council and contractors or making out parents were lying.



They cope with the property fine, and its a small property anyway my last 1 bedroom flat was bigger than their cottage to bring it into perspective, both are hard workers (mum is ocd and hoovers and cleans multiple times a day)

I think people have the wrong end of the stick here, they have no issue packing personal items but the council wants them to move heavy furniture themselves, and go into a loft themselves and since the property is small theres no room to pack without help but for one my father has a severe hernia and thats the least of his problems, his health is so bad he is in agony walking for more than a few minutes, has arthritis and other issues, my mothers are less severe but she still has them.

It sounds like your parents council doesn't have a policy in place to send office staff to aid in packing and moving heavy items. That said and since you can't help could you send a representative to help your parents move?
Maybe they can go to Costco and pick up some boxes as well.

Sue.D.Nim

Could a local charity for elderly people in their area (or a church if they are that way inclined) help them out with the move/getting boxes etc? Social services might be able to provide a list or contact details of charities or schemes that could help with this.

Do they have any neighbours who might help.

Contact a local supermarket for boxes?

Or would any of your own friends or other family (cousins etc) be able to drive you, help out at all? I know it's hard to ask though, or even know how to ask if you have issues yourself. Maybe posting a general facebook (or whatever) post having a mini rant about it in a 'argh what a nightmare this is, how can I help my folks' sort of way - often people would respond to that offering sympathy, advice and even help.

I think it might be best to just focus on getting the work done first and then fighting any battle they have with the council afterwards. Delaying any work while trying to sort out who is responsible for arranging and paying for the logistics will just keep things going in circles and get more worrying and frustrating for your mum and dad.